Explore the best rated trails in Grand Rapids, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Circle T Trail and Circle L Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 638 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We did the Virginia-to-Buhl segment over Labor Day and wished we had rented electric-assist bikes. We're used to the flatter trails AND we have not biked a lot this summer because of the heat, and I can say we were fairly disappointed in our inability to make it to Chisolm. The 95-degree weather didn't help - LOL! The trail winds past beautiful scenery, particularly the quarries. There is a section east of Buhl where the trail runs through a swamp and it was like biking over moguls. Ouch! The trail is maintained well and once we figured out how to get out of Virginia, the signage is pretty good. Finding places for water/shade within the smaller towns is a challenge (maybe because of the holiday?) so pack a lot of water/snacks if you're going to be out for the day. The ATVs alongside the trail east of Virgina were nice and polite, but the 2 sets of trails merge over the bridge (in which the view is stunning, BTW). We will do more of the trail once we get our legs back in shape and look forward to more fun!
08/23, Grand Rapids to Biwabik section. I was choosing between Paul Banyan and Mesabi Trail for bikepacking and chose the last one mainly because there are more camping options. Paul Banyan has some camping options, but our group included 7 yo girls who just switched to a geared 20" bike and we were limited by about 20-25 miles per day. Mesabi worked out for us better. Our itinerary was the following:
Day 1. A night at the trailhead in Itasca County Fairgrounds Campground in Grand Rapids. There is an ongoing reconstruction, but you can camp there, booking is not required, campground host is right there. Payment is on-site by cash, $25 or so. Avoid camping there during events, the place can be noisy.
Day 2. 21 mile ride. A night in Swan Lake Campground and Resort in Pengilly. 3 miles ride from the trail over public roads. Road shoulder is wide so it was an ok ride. We tried to workaround over ATV trails, but they were too difficult for kids and we were towing a cargo trailer. The campground has limited number of tent only sites so plan ahead. Reservation by calling the host. Payment is $30 or so cash.
Day 3. 3 + 18 miles ride. A night in Hibbing. The only night not in camping. The closest campground in Chisholm did not work for us as it adds 5 or so miles and the campground itself is terrible according to the reviews. There are very few options for staying in Hibbing. I ended up booking a house for $170 per night close to the trail.
Day 4. 19 miles ride. A night in West Two Rivers Campground. It is 1.5 miles away from the trail, but the road goes to the campground only, so there were only few cars. The only problem was to cross the hwy 169 with kids, but after some wait we did that safely. Reservation online. They have tent only sites, but they are smaller for the same rate - $35 or so. I switched to an RV one. I recommend sites 23 and 24.
Day 5. 23 + 1.5 miles ride. A night in Biwabik Vermilion Trail Campground. It is a popular campground, especially on weekends. Reservation online. Payment is $35 or so. Last section of 5 miles or so on a public road with a wide shoulder. That was not the best experience with kids, but drivers were respectful to us.
Originally we planned Day 6 riding to Heritage Park & Campground in Embarass, but shuttle guy have not responded to us quickly and we cut our route by one day planning me to ride all the way back to the car while my family is waiting in the campground. He responded last night and gave us a ride from Biwabik to Cedar Rapids for $128. It is a good price for 80 miles of 4 people with 4 bikes and backpacks. Plan ahead. I planned only one week prior to the trip.
About the trail. First of all it is a tremendous work! The shuttle driver was from the trail management. He said how much time and money they invest in it for us to be able to ride it. So please, don't forget to buy a Wheel Pass - it is a minimum to pay back for all their effort. Europe countries natively have extensive network of trails and driving culture allowing bikers and drivers to coexist. Those who promote healthy lifestyle through building bike trails in the US deserve all sorts of endorsements. The towns we passed seem to know about cyclists and drivers where very respectful to us. Don't loose your attention though, we had couple of issues in one town. Drivers made excuses to us so the great work in progress in this aspect too. As I said the trail is not 100% serenity in the woods, the trail direction is planning to build the Biwabik section, but over it was an excellent ride and we were very happy. August is a beautiful time to bikepacking. I bet Fall time will be amazing too, even though colder for bikepacking.
Enjoyed the mostly level, well maintained surface. Need some bathrooms or places to get water. Did a century ride one day, great trail but signage needs improvement. Around the Walker area very confusing. Trail around Lake Bimidji and into Bimidji state park was a beautiful ride. Stayed at the Comfort Inn in Bimidji, lakeview room. Awesome.
I rode the trail in 2 days, staying overnight in Walker. Would have been better to stay in Hackensack, as it was about 80 miles to Walker, with hills the last 7 miles. Soulshine Cycles in Hackensack provides shuttle service among other services. Brainard and Bemidgi have trails throughout the town (nice that they are bike-friendly) but usually are not marked, therefore easy to get "lost". Trail surface was a bit rough in places but nothing too serious. New paved spur at end of trail leads to Bemidgi State Park. Be sure to check out The Chocolate Ox in Nisswa.
We hopped onto the trail in McGregor and we’re very disappointed with the trail. It’s a mixture of large rocks and sandy soil. Probably better for all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles, not suitable for bikes.
The second week of July we rode out and back from Crow Wing State Park at the south end of the trail (25 miles each way). There were clean compostable bathrooms at the State Park. The trail was paved the entire way, and as earlier reviews have mentioned, there were regular frost buckles in the trail. Found them to be nothing more than a minor annoyance. Signage was not the best going through the town of Baxter, but all the bike paths eventually led to the north and the continuation of the trail. My trail link app helped us reorient when we were uncertain. The miles we rode north of Baxter were largely straight, flat, and in the woods. Benches were few, but we did manage to find a place for lunch at the Merrifield Lion's Park. The restrooms there were also clean. Loved the views of the northern Mississippi River when we could see it. There would be more views when the leaves have fallen. All in all a fun ride and would do it again the next time we visit the area.
After 50 years of organizing road bike trips for our friends all over the west, across the country, and 6 trips to Europe, we are now in our 80s and wanted to try ‘rails to trails’ bike routes as a little less rigorous. Our first try was ‘Minnesota’s 10 best’ with 8 of us from Oregon. Our first, the 5-star Paul Bunyan 120-mile ‘hall of fame trail’ from north to south. Then Soo Line to Lake Wobegon, to Central lakes state trail in 7 days.
It is easy to see why Paul Bunyan is in the Hall of fame. 120 miles of woods and Lakes with almost no traffic. Wow. However, it does not deserve ‘5 stars’ 4 at best. The North 50 miles and Southern 20 miles 5 stars for sure with some very impressive and expensive bridges built over the major roads. The north section ends after a 7-mile windy hilly stretch south of Walker. The locals called this stretch the ‘Alps of Minnesota’. It was more fun than the Alps. Perfect rollers in a perfect woods setting ‘6 stars for sure’ and the best 7 miles in our almost 300-mile trip. However, the middle 55 miles were very poorly maintained, boring, and at times noisy with a highway running alongside (2.5stars at best). There is no reason the large frost cracks (more like canyons) can’t be filled with hot tar at a reasonable cost with trail volunteers. These cracks were so bad that on a road bike with skinny tires we stood on the petals and loosed our grips when going across the cracks as often as every 40 feet as the jolt was so severe. Note 2 of us shuttled the cars to the motel and the end of each day and rode back to meet the group. Took Turns worked well. Also note the bike paths in the Netherlands, France, and Germany where they also have freezing winters were always in perfect condition. Also note, if the states want to attract tourists they will have to keep these trails in at least a minimum of ‘good’ shape. We will try other states as the concept of off-road trails is now essential to our skill level and the right trail is perfect. However, we don’t see a good rating system in rails to trails.
Had the chance the other day to ride from Chisholm to Kinney and back. Section from Chisholm to Buhl was much smoother than Hibbing to Chisholm, but had a couple of steep hills. The section from Buhl to Kinney was VERY rough. Be sure to stop and read the sign by the water treatment plant about the town of Fraser - interesting facts.
We only did a short portion of the trail from Lake Bemidji State Park, but it was great! We talked with a local and they said the trail is beautiful in the fall, we might need to come back. Wonderful day.
First time user on this trail. Road from Chisholm to Hibbing and back. Pretty rough in spots. Glad we had e-bikes - lots of hills and we are getting old! Hubby saw some bear scat. We saw signs saying that a bike pass was needed, but no information about where to get one or how much. Never saw anything about it on this site, so were unprepared.
We ride sections of the Bunyan every year, mostly north and south of Hackensack. The section between Backus and Pine River is in very poor shape due to expansion cracks. Hard to ride it on a tandem. (“BUMP! “BUMP!”) but from Hackensack north it’s perfect. The section through the woods to Akeley is very beautiful, rather challenging, and often VERY buggy.
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