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Unlike the traditional rail trail, which are often most used by bikers, the Soo Line Trail (Southern Route) is primarily an ATV trail and is composed of a primarily rough dirt and gravel surface.
The trail runs for 114 miles through the sparsely populated Central Northeast Minnesota. Moose Lake, located along the trail, receives an average of 52 inches of snowfall annually, making snowmobiling a popular winter pastime along this trail.
About the Route
The Soo Line Trail (Southern Route) is more popularly known as the Soo Line South ATV Trail. The converted rail-trail is open to motorized use (including ATVs, snowmobiles and OHVs). The Eastern Morrison County 4 wheelers club maintains the trail.
Though the trail runs through rural Minnesota, there are many worthwhile sites along the trail. The entire route offers a mix of hardwood forests and farmland scenery and features several trestle bridge crossings on the Kettle River and Birch Creek.
Additionally, trail users are able to camp at various points along the trail including at: Genola Campground (MM 104) and Father Hennepin State Park (MM 70).
Larger towns along the route that provide dining and convenience options include Onamia (MM 80), Isle (MM 68), Moose Lake (MM 25).
Connections
At the trail's southern endpoint, it intersects with the Lake Wobegon Trail.
Part of the route near Bowlus is considered the Soo Line Recreational Trail.
The Soo Line Trail (Southern Route) connects with the Soo Line Trail (Northern Route) and Willard Munger State Trail (Hinckley-Duluth) in Moose Lake.
At the MN-WI state line, the trail continues as the Saunders State Trail.
The Soo Line South Trail runs between 16056- 16346 83rd St (Royalton, MN) and the MN-WI state line (Oliver, WI), with parking available at the southern end.
Parking is available at:
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.
From highway 10 (Soo Line Trailhead) to the Morrison County/Stearns County line, the trail has not been maintained the past few years. The cracks don’t get repaired, debris doesn’t get blown off, big branches don’t get removed for days, dogs are off leashes. I had to remove a large branch that was blocking the trail for at least a week. The Morrison County maintenance crew needs a lesson from the Stearns County crew.
Lots of rocks kicked up from ATV side when bike riding and a lot of cracks and holes in the trail. It was fun but not as fun when ATVs were frequently riding on the paved part. We expected them to keep left but apparently it’s common for them to keep right?
The 11-mile paved part from Onamia to Isle is rough due to freeze/thaw cracking, every 30 feet is a bone-jarring crack and some big bumps occasionally. Also the paved trail is scattered here and there from gravel from the adjoining ATV gravel trail. Nice and flat through the wooded prairie and bog. 2-mile Section from Waukon to Isle is better pavement. Scared up a huge black bear which surprised me but the bear ran the other way. Best with mountain bike but doable on road bike, bring a spare tube.
I started near Royalton on a fully loaded plus tire bike. Morrison counties portion is good trail of smaller gravel. Lots of open farmland. Mille Lacs county the trail turned nasty with bigger ballast and rough. Onamia to Isle is paved. I stayed at Father Hennepin State Park in Isle. Stocked up on snacks at the small grocery store. Farmland changed to wetlands. Carlton County the trail was good again. A couple miles of off the rail bed trail with mud and hills. A fun distraction. I stayed another night at Moose Lake State Park outside of town. There to the Wisconsin line is good trail. Wisconsin line to the end is horrible. Thick layer of ballast rock. A foot deep in places making it harder to pedal through than sand. All across the trail the road crossings, bridges and generally the trail through wetlands were very rough. I rode late June and the deer flies were out in abundance as was a wide variety of wildlife. My trip was mid week so the atv traffic was very light. The trash cans along the trail are full of beer cans and the posted speed limit is 50mph. I was on a week long ride and was loaded with gear, the plus tire was the right choice for me.
What are some of the better campsites near red top? I have not ventured on the soo line yet and looking for a place to pitch a tent mid way between royalton and the northern soo line. Any help is appreciated!!
Are there enough places to fuel up?
Looking for a convenient parking area close to the Trail in Onamia any suggestions?
Please email: admzmeetup@hotmail.com
The Soo Line trail between the trailhead at US-10 and Holdingford (the start of the Lake Wobegon Trail) is fully paved and excellent for hiking and biking. As of 3/10/12 GoogleMaps does not yet use this for plotting courses, however. East of US-10 this trail is compacted gravel and is intended for ATVs but could be used for hiking or mountain biking.
The Soo Line Trail - Southern Route has a newer addition beginning at Highway 10 south of Little Falls, MN that takes you through the communities of Bowlus and Holdingford and eventually connects with the Lake Wobegon Trail taking you into Albany. Unlike the section of trail running east of Highway 10, this newer segment is paved. Leaving the trailhead on Highway 10, an overpass takes you right over the highway and adjoining railroad tracks. Roughly a mile or so down the trail, the trail crosses the Mississippi River with some breathtaking views of the river, Blanchard Dam and gorgeous scenery. In nearby Bowlus, there is a nice trailhead where the community recently remodeled the train depot into a very functional community center. Bowlus also has some conveniences (cafe, convenience store, bank, etc). From here, the trail continues to the community of Holdingford and eventually connects up with the Lake Wobegon Trail. The trail runs through a variety of landscapes including forests, prairies, marshes, farm ground and even a few lakes. The particular day I rode was quite nice for late August, with high temperatures in the low 70's with a bit of a breeze. It was well worth checking out this trail while visiting on a recent business trip to centrail Minnesota.
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