Explore the best rated trails in Kettle River, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the DWP Trail and C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail . With more than 21 trails covering 1201 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 had ridden the Munger Trail from Jay Cooke campground to the Skihut near the Spirit Bike Park and Ski Hill and a clerk in the store told us about this trail as an alternative to get back. We loved it. In that direction it’s mostly uphill, so be young and fit or have an e-bike like we did. The ride is through beautiful birch forests with views of the St. Louis River. The entrance is through the paved parking lot near the ski lift and then further up and to the right on the gravel lot. At the entrance of the trail signs warn of rocks and jumps, but that refers to the groomed mountain bike trails off to the side in the first mile or two of the trail. None of that is actually on the trail.
We rode from the campground at Jay Cooke State Park almost to the trailhead in Duluth. We stopped at the Skihut Adventure Center store right near the trail—about 13 miles. The pavement was reasonably maintained with cracks having been repaired. The few bumps were marked in orange. We were riding hybrid bikes and had no issues with surface quality. It’s fairly level in this section and wide enough that we were able to ride 2 abreast most of the time. There is a section marked closed for repairs, but everyone just rode around the barriers with no problems.
Outside of Ashland, the tarmac ends. Some mud due to recent rains, but nothing the all terrain tires couldn’t handle. Washboard at the intersections. No other cyclists encountered. Just side by side ATVs, but actually light traffic mid week. I’d do it again.
The trail between Luck and Frederic is all loose gravel and rocks. Very soft. Maybe okay for a fat tire bike. May 29, 2025.
We rode from Hinkley to Duluth one day, stayed in Duluth 2 nights then returned back to Hinkley. This trail is very pretty and we appreciated the 2 areas with park pavilions next to the trail that included electricity and bathroom options.
I rollerbladed the trail and parts of it were really bad, so I took neighborhood streets and parts of it were amazing and very well maintained. The views were really pretty. I would recommend it.
I have ridden about 80 miles on this trail, and it is through gorgeous country. That said, it is a dangerous trail for cycling. The trail is not well-maintained. There are significant cracks and blisters in the asphalt, especially in the section south of Carlton to Moose Lake State Park. Some of these problems are marked with white spray paint so you can avoid them, but some are not. It is unsafe. I’m an experienced cyclist and can handle a range of conditions- but I will not ride this trail again.
Gorgeous for walking, but to ride a bike on the Willard Munger is to risk your physical safety or damage to your bicycle.
This was a pretty rough trail when we rode it on our recumbent trikes. It seemed designed for snowmobiles and walkers. I hope it has been graded better. I would not ride it again in the condition it was in. Particularly with so many better trails not far way by Stillwater, MN.
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.
It’s a nice smooth ride running parallel with I-35. It has some interesting scenery along different areas of the trail. There are a couple of long but short inclines when getting close to downtown Duluth. Traffic may get a little heavy on Superior St.
From highway 10 (Soo Line Trailhead) to the Morrison County/Stearns County line, the trail has not been maintained the past few years. The cracks don’t get repaired, debris doesn’t get blown off, big branches don’t get removed for days, dogs are off leashes. I had to remove a large branch that was blocking the trail for at least a week. The Morrison County maintenance crew needs a lesson from the Stearns County crew.
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