Explore East Central Minnesota on the Willard Munger State Trail
Explore nature’s kingdom along the multi-use Willard Munger State Trail. You can hike, cycle, rollerblade, snowmobile, or ride horses. Want to live in the picturesque nature scenes of Minnesota? Those of us who live in Sturgeon Lake properties or around Moose Lake can be out on this trail all year. It is in the forests of East Central Minnesota.
Southeast of Duluth in East Central Minnesota, the Willard Munger State Trail system features 80 miles of paved trail plus miles of natural surface trails. Want to live in the picturesque nature scenes of Minnesota? Those of us who live in Sturgeon Lake properties or around Moose Lake State Park can be out on this trail all year. It is in the forests of East Central Minnesota.
Paved Trail Hinckley to Duluth
The paved section connects Hinckley and Duluth, passing through hills, lakes, and bogs. In the summer months, towering northern hardwood forests keep us cool. The spruce fire along with stands of pine–Jack, red and white– echo quietly during the snowiest winters.
Whitetail deer frolic in the rich wildlife habitat and one must be alert. Look and listen carefully for signs of bears, coyote, bobcat, and timber wolf. A fox family or set of raccoons could be peeking out from the dark corners. Would you recognize a porcupine or a mink? At the water’s edge, animated muskrats may be swimming past the busy beavers. Weasels pop up in these parts, too.
Trail History and More Details
The Willard Munger State Trail comes with a bit of history. It follows an old railroad route through East Central Minnesota. Back in the 1800s when huge fires overtook the forest around Hinckley and Cloquet, people escaped along this old railroad route. Along came Alex Leveau, a local dairy farmer turned County Commissioner, who advocated for the reuse of old railways as public trails. The Alex Laveau Memorial Trail, a 16-mile section between Carlton and Wrenshall, honors him.
The Matthew Lourey State Trail, formerly the Boundary segment honors a soldier who lost his life in the Iraq War. The segment offers 80 miles of natural surface trail through remote terrain. It connects St. Croix’s State Park to the Chengwatana State Forest and Nemadji State Forest. Snowmobilers, horses, hikers, and mountain bikers frequent this trail during wintertime.
Side Trips from Munger Trails
The Willard Munger Trail system connects to multiple side trips, as well. You could journey to Banning State Park, Moose Lake State Park, or Jay Cooke State Park. Stop off at the St. Louis River or the ports of Duluth and Superior. Also wander through General C.C. Andrews State Forest. And there are more future adventures beyond these.
Parking Access to Munger State Trail
Many parking areas access the trail system. Some of the parking lots include trailheads at Carlton, Duluth, Hinckley, Barnum, Finlayson, Moose Lake, and Willow River. In addition, parking may be available at:
- Jay Cook State Park
- Moose Lake State Park
- Gen. C.C. Andrews State Forest
- Dago Lake Day Use Area
- McCormick Lake Day Use Area
- Willow River Campground
A Few Ending Notes
If you’re going to be riding horses, be sure to come with a horse pass. Likewise, snowmobilers need to register or get a trail sticker from the state. And if you’d like to park in a state park, you’ll need a vehicle permit.
Otherwise, enjoy the beauty, convenience, and safety of the Willard Munger State Trail. It’s not too far away from civilization should you need it.
Search for Homes in Sturgeon Lake
Time to search for nearby vacation homes in Sturgeon Lake or Moose Lake? You’d like to get out of the city for a while? Get on-the-ground scoop from longtime resident Vern C. Anderson II, GRI, Timber Ghost Realty, Sturgeon Lake, MN, (218) 522-0301.
