Overview
Unlike the traditional rail trail, which are often most used by bikers, the Soo Line Trail is primarily an ATV trail and is composed of a primarily rough dirt and gravel surface.
The trail runs for 113 miles through the rural Northeast of Minnesota, which is regionally home to only to 300,000 people across a 7-county region. Cass Lake, which anchors the northern end of the trail, receives an average of 44 inches of snowfall annually, making snowmobiling a popular winter pastime along this trail.
About the Route
Starting at the trail's northern endpoint in Cass Lake, a small trail town with less than 1,000 inhabitants, the trail rolls southeast through hardwood forest dotted with small ponds and lakes (hence the state's apt nickname, Land of a Thousand Lakes).
At mile 20, the trail passes between Portage Lake and Leech Lake. At mile 75, the trail passes the Bergland Park Campground, which offers 9 campsites as well as toilets and showers.
Moose Lake anchors the southern end of the trail and is a sizeable town with lodging, dining, shopping and convenience options.
Connections
The Soo Line North Trail connects with the 114-mile Soo Line South Trail at Moose Lake.
The Soo Line Trail runs between the US 2 (Cass Lake) and the Soo Line Trail - Southern Route (Moose Lake).
Parking is available at:
In the winter, there is plowed parking at Moose Lake.
See TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Note: Non-residents of Minnesota need OHV passes for ATV use along this trail. See more here.
We hopped onto the trail in McGregor and we’re very disappointed with the trail. It’s a mixture of large rocks and sandy soil. Probably better for all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles, not suitable for bikes.
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