Willard Munger State Trail

Willard Munger Trail Location
Map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (165Kb)

hiking Hiking
Horseback Riding Horseback
Biking Biking
Mountain Biking Mountain biking
In-line Skating In-line skating
Snowmobiling Snowmobiling
Wheelchair access Wheelchair access
(electric wheelchairs allowed)

 

Trail Alert

 

National MS Society bike event

Trail users can expect a large amount of bike traffic on the trail from Carlton to Hinkley on June 8th. Please visit the event website link This link leads to an external site.to find event and route information.

Summer trail construction

Trail construction and bridge projects continue this summer. Construction on the Carlton to Forbay stretch may be closed through the end of June. Construction will begin early July in the West Duluth section. The segment of the trail from the parking area near Willard Munger Inn to 93rd Ave in West Duluth will be under construction this spring and summer. Expect to see closures occur, as equipment and crews make repairs caused by flood damage from last year. Please plan ahead and check back with this site for future updates.

Map of construction areas This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

(Updated June 3, 2013)

The Willard Munger State Trail is a collection of multiple use trails between Hinckley and Duluth. It consists of interconnecting trails offering hiking, bicycling, in-line skating and snowmobiling. It highlights the picturesque scenery and rich history of East Central Minnesota. The trail follows the route of the railroad that saved many lives in the historic Hinckley and Cloquet fires in the nineteenth century.

There are three different trail segments in the Willard Munger State Trail: Hinckley - Duluth segment, Alex Laveau Memorial Trail and the Matthew Lourey State Trail (formerly known as the Boundary segment).

The 63 mile Hinckley - Duluth segment of the Willard Munger State Trail is completely paved, and extends between the cities of Hinckley, Willow River, Moose Lake, Barnum, Carlton, and Duluth. The trail passes near Banning State Park, through Finlayson, Willow River and General C.C. Andrews State Forest, and through the spectacular scenery of Jay Cooke State Park. The northeast portion of the trail provides scenic views of the St. Louis River and the twin ports of Duluth and Superior.

The Alex Laveau Memorial Trail honors the memory of a former county commissioner and dairy farmer who was a strong advocate of the idea of reusing abandoned railways as public trails. This trail allows users to ride from Gary-New Duluth 16 miles through Wrenshall into Carlton. 6 miles of off-road paved trail from Carlton to Highway 23 are open. The remaining miles are a combination of bike routes on paved highway shoulders.

The Matthew Lourey State Trail honors the memory of a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer from Minnesota who lost his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is an 80 mile natural surface trail used primarily for snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. This trail passes through remote forests linking St. Croix State Park with the Chengwatana, St. Croix and Nemadji State Forests. Some areas may be impassable in summer.

Nearby DNR recreational areas
Banning State Park, Moose Lake State Park, Jay Cooke State Park, St. Croix State Park, St. Louis River Water Trail, Chengwatana State Forest, St. Croix State Forest, Nemadji State Forest, General C.C. Andrews State Forest, Hemlock Ravine S.N.A..