Heartland State Trail

Heartland State Trail
The Heartland State Trail leaving Park Rapids, Minnesota
Length49 mi (79 km)
LocationNorth-central Minnesota, United States
DesignationMinnesota state trail, National Recreation Trail
TrailheadsPark Rapids
Cass Lake
UseBiking, hiking, horseback riding, in-line skating, mountain biking, snowmobiling
GradeMostly level
SeasonYear-round
SightsChippewa National Forest, Leech Lake
HazardsSevere weather
SurfaceAsphalt, natural surface
WebsiteHeartland State Trail

The Heartland State Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail in north-central Minnesota, United States. The main trail runs 49 miles (79 km) between Park Rapids and Cass Lake, intersecting with the Paul Bunyan State Trail around Walker.[1] Both the Park Rapids to Walker and Walker to Cass Lake segments are paved; the Park Rapids to Walker segment also has a parallel natural-surface trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking.[1] A 4-mile (6.4 km) segment north of Walker has sharply rolling terrain for snowmobiles; DNR maps show a marked alternate route on paved road shoulders for bicyclists.[2]

Authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 1974, the Heartland State Trail is one of Minnesota's oldest rail trails.[3] It was designated a National Recreation Trail on July 2, 1991.[4] The Park Rapids to Moorhead extension was authorized in 2006; the 2011 master plan described that planned extension as approximately 85 to 100 miles (137 to 161 km), depending on the selected route.[3] Minnesota law describes the authorized trail corridor as originating at Moorhead, extending through Detroit Lakes to Park Rapids, continuing through Walker to Cass Lake, and including a segment connecting the trail to Itasca State Park.[5] DNR materials identify an additional paved Heartland Trail Extension from Detroit Lakes toward Frazee.[1][2]

Trailhead in Park Rapids.

The main route passes through Dorset, Nevis, Akeley, and Walker between Park Rapids and Cass Lake.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Heartland State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Heartland and Paul Bunyan State Trails (PDF) (Map). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Heartland State Trail Extension: Park Rapids to Moorhead Master Plan (PDF) (Report). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. June 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Heartland State Trail". National Recreation Trails Database. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  5. ↑ "2025 Minnesota Statutes, section 85.015, subdivision 12". Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved June 27, 2026.

47°9′7.84″N 94°38′24.92″W / 47.1521778°N 94.6402556°W / 47.1521778; -94.6402556

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