Central Lakes Trail
Encyclopedia
The Central Lakes State Trail is a paved recreational rail trail
in central Minnesota
, USA, running along a former Burlington Northern Railroad
line. The trail is marked with mileposts every mile, corresponding with the mile markers of the former railroad line. Snowmobile use is allowed on the trail in winter, conditions permitting.
at the western end of the Lake Wobegon Trail
and runs parallel to Interstate 94
before ending in Fergus Falls
. This trail passes through the towns of Nelson
, Alexandria
, Garfield
, Brandon
, Evanston
, Melby, Ashby
, and Dalton
. The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon trails combine for a continuous 117 miles (188.3 km) trail.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
in central Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, USA, running along a former Burlington Northern Railroad
Burlington Northern Railroad
The Burlington Northern Railroad was a United States-based railroad company formed from a merger of four major U.S. railroads. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996....
line. The trail is marked with mileposts every mile, corresponding with the mile markers of the former railroad line. Snowmobile use is allowed on the trail in winter, conditions permitting.
Description of the trail
The 55 miles (88.5 km) trail begins in OsakisOsakis, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,567 people, 661 households, and 405 families residing in the city. The population density was 779.4 people per square mile . There were 760 housing units at an average density of 378.0 per square mile...
at the western end of the Lake Wobegon Trail
Lake Wobegon Trails
The Lake Wobegon Trails are two paved recreational rail trails in central Minnesota, named after the fictional Lake Wobegon in Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion". Each trail is marked with mileposts every , corresponding with the mile markers of the former railroad lines...
and runs parallel to Interstate 94
Interstate 94 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the central portion of the state. The route connects the cities of Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, St...
before ending in Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Fergus Falls is a city in and the county seat of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,138 at the 2010 census.-Today:...
. This trail passes through the towns of Nelson
Nelson, Minnesota
Nelson is a city in Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 187 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Alexandria
Alexandria, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,820 people, however the most recent count suggests a population upwards of 10,000, which is displayed on Alexandria's city limits signs. The census lists 4,047 households, and 2,011 families residing in the city. The population density was 992.5 people per...
, Garfield
Garfield, Minnesota
Garfield is a city in Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 354 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 1.28% is water.-Demographics:...
, Brandon
Brandon, Minnesota
Brandon is a city in Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 489 at the 2010 census.-History:The village of Brandon was incorporated on November 22, 1881. The current town site was laid out when the railroad was being built in August 1879. The town was called Chippewa when at...
, Evanston
Evansville, Minnesota
Evansville is a city in Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 612 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 1.43% is water.-Demographics:...
, Melby, Ashby
Ashby, Minnesota
Ashby is a city in Grant County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 446 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
, and Dalton
Dalton, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 258 people, 115 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,077.3 people per square mile . There were 119 housing units at an average density of 496.9 per square mile...
. The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon trails combine for a continuous 117 miles (188.3 km) trail.