Hiking, Hunting, Skiing Trails
Itasca County offers sixteen separate cross-country ski trail systems that are managed by the county, cities, resorts, camps, and cross-country ski clubs. The County Park System maintains five of these trails located on County Tax-Forfeited Lands. These trails and several others are open to hiking during the summer months and several are open to hunting in the fall.
GEOPDF MAPS
Our GEOPDF maps are available to use on the Avenza Mapping app. on your cell phone. Download the Avenza App. to your phone then download the trail map (Click on Map Name) on your phone. You can then open the map in Avenza and while you are on site you will have a live location marker on the map. No cell phone service required after you download the map.
How to Use a Geo References Map visit: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mobile/geopdf/index.html
Alder Pond Trail (GEOPDF)
Beginner to intermediate – 6.03 miles
Located east of Grand Rapids off Highway 169; Cross the Prairie River, turn right on County Road 21, east 2 miles to E. Range Line Road, turn right and go one mile to gate. Ski Season continue ¾ miles to parking lot on power line.
Alder pond trail is located on several hundred miles of County tax-forfeited land. You will be traveling through young aspen and hardwood forest. A portion of the trail travels through private property through the use of a cooperative agreement. Please stay on the trail within this area. During harvesting of the area these trails were originally developed as hunter walking trails and later enhanced for ski trail grooming. Wild life is abundant in this area so don’t be surprised to find small natural visitors sharing the trail with you. This property is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreation use by the County Land Department.
Amen Lake Trail (GEOPDF)
Intermediate to Advanced loops; 4.5 miles
County Road 19 - 1 ¾ miles west of Highway 38, then right on County Road 246
Located south of Amen Lake and west of Long Lake the Amen Lake County Trail features challenging trails through rolling hills and mixed forest. A spur trail at the far end of the loops connects to the southern portion of the Suomi Hills Recreation Area in the Chippewa National Forest. The Amen Lake Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.
Big Ridge Trail (GEOPDF)
Beginner to Advanced loops – 6 miles
4 miles north of Goodland off of Highway 65, .5 miles west on County Road 560
The Big Ridge County Trail is located amongst hundreds of acres of county tax forfeited land south of Swan Lake. The trail includes three loops, each at a different skills level (beginner to advanced) through mixed forest and level to gently rolling terrain. The Big Ridge Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.
Stoney Ridge Trail (GEOPDF)
Beginner to intermediate loops – 5 miles
Approximately 20 miles north of Nashwauk along Highway 65
The Stoney Ridge County Trail is located on county tax forfeited land amongst large tracts of state and county land in the George Washington State Forest. Three loops traverse the rugged terrain offering beginning and intermediate skiing. Sherry Lake can be found at the very end of the last loop. The Stoney Ridge Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.
Wabana Trail (GEOPDF)
Beginner to intermediate – 6 miles
Located on County Road 59 – 14 miles northeast of Grand Rapids
The Wabana County Trail offers skiers five loops to choose from within a mixed forest and wildflower sanctuary. Especially beautiful is the river loop that follows the Wabana Creek. Clearwater Lake lies to the south of the trail system. Wabana is one of two designated county wildflower sanctuaries. The Wabana Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.