Paul Bunyan State Trail
Enjoy a Minnesota bicycling vacation, weekend getaway or simply an afternoon stroll by enjoying part of the 100-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail that stretches from the Brainerd Lakes Area to Bemidji.
In Brainerd/Baxter, the paved trail - a former rail line - offers an easygoing, relatively level ride that meanders throughout the region offering a snapshot into the beauty of the Brainerd Lakes Area. The lakes. The trees. The communities.
From Brainerd and Baxter, the Paul Bunyan Trail travels north through Merrifield, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Pine River and Backus before continuing to Bemidji. The Paul Bunyan Trail also intersects with the Heartland Trail near Walker. To the south of Brainerd, the Paul Bunyan Trail one day will connect to the Crow Wing State Park. View a Map/Calculate Distances Between Communities
Those enjoying the Paul Bunyan Trail also can choose another option - a detour onto the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.
In all, the Paul Bunyan Trail connects more than a dozen communities along the trail. The communities offer many amenities to those enjoying the trails - walkers, bikers, inline skaters, runners, and in the winter, snowmobilers, alike. The communities offer a place to shop, enjoy a bite to eat or grab something to drink, and a home base - somewhere to park a vehicle or even stay overnight at a nearby resort, hotel, campground or bed and breakfast. Many communities along the trail also host businesses in which you can buy, rent or repair recreational equipment, such as bicycles.
Of course, a story about the Paul Bunyan Trail would not be complete without talking about the legend himself. For instance, Paul, with Babe the Blue Ox by his side, would sit a spell in Pequot Lakes. In fact, you can still find Paul's chair in the heart of the city. All along the trail you will find various landmarks that offer great photo opportunities leading to many lasting memories!
In keeping with its namesake, the Paul Bunyan State Trail has made a name for itself in a big way. More than a half million people enjoy the trail each year. Its popularity is spreading because of its vast appeal. In February 2011, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy named the Paul Bunyan Trail its Trail of the Month. Learn more about the legend of the Paul Bunyan Trail, and the tireless efforts of the Father of the Trail, the late Terry McGaughey, on the Minnesota Trails website.
