Explore the best rail-trails—48 trails and 1,155 miles—with the official guide

Looking for a level trail where you can enjoy a brisk fitness walk, bike ride, or stroll with the family? All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted to public multiuse trails. Here, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these rail-trails in Minnesota.

Experience first-hand how Minnesota earned the nickname the Land of 10,000 Lakes by taking a trip on the 121-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, one of the longest rail-trails in the United States. The connecting trails of Central Lakes State Trail and Lake Wobegon Trail offer additional views of the lakes. In the southwest, Casey Jones State Trail runs through tallgrass prairie and wooded ravines. For more of an urban adventure, try the 34.5-mile Greenway of Greater Grand Forks in the northwest, which connects Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

In this book, you’ll find:

• Detailed maps for every rail-trail, plus driving directions to trailheads
• Icons indicating the activities each trail can accommodate
• Succinct descriptions written by rail-trail experts

“You can now throw away all your self-help books on fighting depression, losing weight, toning muscles, finding something to do with your kids, and learning American history. Just use this guide, find a great trail—and enjoy!”

—Peter Harnik, Director, Center for City Park Excellence, Trust for Public Land