The Taconite State Trail extends 165 miles from Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,764 people, 3,446 households, and 1,943 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,057.8 people per square mile . There were 3,621 housing units at an average density of 493.3 per square mile...

 to Ely, Minnesota

Ely, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,724 people, 1,912 households, and 916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,369.5 people per square mile . There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile...

 and intersects the Arrowhead State Trail west of Lake Vermilion. On the Grand Rapids end, the trail is paved for the first 6 miles for in-line skating and biking. The rest of the trail is natural surface used primarily in the winter months for snowmobiling. In the summer, several areas contain standing water, but some areas are suitable for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking

Taconite State Trail is a scenic experience twisting through aspen, birch, and pine forest leading to many isolated lakes and streams. Exploring the trail from Grand Rapids and heading north depicts the previous impact of the iron ore mining industry. As the trail goes north, the terrain becomes rolling and winding through thick forests. The Taconite Trail leads through State and National Forest land as well.

Along the Taconite Trail there are eight trail waysides and picnic areas which provide views of scenic vistas, rivers, and lakes. The trail links three state parks: McCarthy Beach

McCarthy Beach State Park

McCarthy Beach State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the Sturgeon Lake chain near Hibbing. It is located in French Township, St. Louis County, Minnesota.-Ecosystem:...

, Soudan Underground Mine

Soudan Underground Mine State Park

The Soudan Underground Mine State Park is a Minnesota state park at the site of the Soudan Underground Mine, on the south shore of Lake Vermilion. The mine is known as Minnesota's oldest, deepest, and richest iron mine, and now hosts the Soudan Underground Laboratory. As the Soudan Iron Mine, it...

, and Bear Head Lake

Bear Head Lake State Park

Bear Head Lake State Park is a state park in northern Minnesota, USA, near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in St. Louis County.In September 2010, Bear Head Lake State Park was voted "America's Favorite Park" in an online poll run by Coca-Cola. The Minnesota Department of Natural...

.

Recreation

Nearby Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Minnesota charged with conserving and managing the state's natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals,...

recreational areas include:

• Arrowhead State Trail
• George Washington State Forest
• Sturgeon River State Forest
• Bear Island State Forest
• McCarthy Beach State Park
• Soudan Underground Mine State Park
• Bear Head Lake State Park
• St. Louis River Water Trail
• Vermilion River Water Trail
• Big Fork River Water Trail
• Mississippi River Water Trail

The Taconite Trail is most popular as a snowmobile route in the winter. Regularly groomed, the trail provides snowmobile riders with a scenic view of pristine lakes and forests across Minnesota's arrowhead region.

Snowmobile season lasts from December 1 through March 31. Winter conditions vary each year, however best conditions are between late December and mid March.

External links

• http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/taconite/index.html
• http://www.exploreminnesota.com/attraction/7728/grand-rapids/taconite-state-trail