6 - Minnesota
There are currently 87 miles of trail certified in Minnesota. A 3.1-mile segment in Jay Cooke State Park allows hikers to observe the rugged, water eroded gorge of the St. Louis River. Farther west, the longest segment in the State, is the 68-mile segment in the Chippewa National Forest. This very beautiful segment passes through a variety of terrain and vegetative types offering views of wetlands, lakes, and streams as it skirts south of Leech Lake--the third largest lake in the state.

A relatively short distance to the west of the Chippewa is Itasca State Park--the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi. A 13-mile segment, which passes many small but beautiful lakes (some with walk-in campsites) is completed in the park. Continuing from the west boundary of Itasca State Park, recently certified trail on Clearwater County Forest lands extends another 2.9 miles to the west-ending at Gardiner Lake. Trail volunteers are working to extend the trail west of Gardiner Lake, and also to complete the missing link east of Itasca, through Paul Bunyan State Forest to the Chippewa National Forest.

Permit Information
No permit needed.

Directions
This section of the trail traverses throughout the state of Minnesota.

Information Center
Information Center available in Chippewa National Forest.

Activities