Grand Rapids-Ely & Tower-International Falls

DAVID DILL - ARROWHEAD, TACONITE &

DAVID DILL - TACONITESTATE TRAILS

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ORR/BUYCK/CRANE LAKE TRAIL

FISHING LAKES TRAIL

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Wahlsten

Peyla

Idington

AngoraShermans

Corner

Gheen Corner

Glendale

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Crane Lake

Sheep

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Ray

Ericsburg

Island View

International Falls

Fort Francis

Cook

Tower

LindenGrove

11th. St.

U.S. Customs

FortFrancis

15th. St.

Hospital

Park Ave.

3rd. St.

toll bridge

4th. St.

Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground MineState Park

Bear HeadLake

State Park

Bear Island State Forest

Burntside State Forest

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Boundary Waters Canoe

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Sturgeon RiverState Forest

Superior National Forest

BlackBay

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Ash RiverD.N.R.

Kabetogama

Vermilion FallsU.S.F.S.

Echo LakeU.S.F.S.

Crane Lake

Vermilion

Big Aspen PfeifferLakeU.S.F.S.

PikeRiver West

Two River

Vermilion Lk. Ind. Res.

Nett LakeIndian

Reservation

Ash River

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PUTNAM LAKETRAIL

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Voyageurs NationalPark Headquarters

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Ash Lake

CRANE LAKE TO ASH RIVER TRAIL

ASH RIVERFALLSTRAIL20

Kabetogama

Rainy Lake

BLUE

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© 2019 Minneosta Department of Natural Resources

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THE ARROWHEAD & TACONITE STATE TRAILS are located in northern Minnesota’s Itasca, Koochiching and St. Louis counties. They are primarily snowmobile trails and form the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system. Portions of both trails are suitable for horseback riding, as well as mountain biking, hiking and backpacking in the summer. Call the DNR for specific information.

The Arrowhead State Trail stretches 135 miles, from 10 miles west of Tower at the intersection of the Taconite State Trail, to Ericsburg, 10 miles south of International Falls.

The Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely and intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake Vermilion. Eight trail waysides and picnic facilities offer scenic vistas of the hills, lakes and rivers of this area.

NATURAL FEATURESTHE ARROWHEAD TRAIL The southern part of the Arrowhead features rolling hills with numerous lakes and streams. Many of the hills have large areas of exposed rock and enormous boulders. This part is heavily timbered with a mix of hardwoods and conifers.This mix of trees on the Arrowhead is spectacularly colorful in autumn.The northern part of the trail is relatively flat between International Falls and the Ash River. The higher ground is mainly forested with aspen; lower ground has a mix of spruce and ash. The trail goes through a number of areas that have standing water in the summer which makes these portions of the trail mostly suited to winter use.

THE TACONITE TRAIL winds through forests of birch and aspen intertwined with pine, leading the visitor by many isolated lakes and streams. From Grand Rapids heading north, you see the impact of the taconite and iron mining industry. Between McCarthy Beach State Park and Ely the terrain is rolling and tree covered as it winds through state and national forest land.

The trail user may see a ridge of solid white pine changing to a ravine of mixed hardwoods, then a ridge of aspen, birch and basswood blended with maples.

The trail links three state parks: Bear Head Lake, Soudan Underground Mine and McCarthy Beach. The landscape in and around Bear Head Lake State Park resembles the BWCAW. The park’s land is very rolling and rocky, elevations ranging from 1,450 feet up to 1,590 feet.

Soudan Underground Mine State Park is located on a rugged ridge and contains the historic Soudan underground mine. It is Minnesota’s only underground iron ore mine open to the public. Tours descend 27 levels to the bottom of the mine, where there is a constant year-round temperature

of 52 degrees. The park also contains picturesque stands of old-growth white and norway pines mixed with balsam fir and aspen. The lower elevations are dominated by white cedar interspersed with balsam fir, tamarack, black spruce, ash and muskeg.

Native northern Minnesota wildlife is abundant along both trails. Some species to watch for are moose, timber wolf, brush wolf, white-tailed deer, black bear, lynx, porcupine, red fox, snowshoe hare, fisher, pine marten and red squirrel.

Over 100 varieties of birds live in the area. Some birds, like the grosbeaks, nuthatches, chickadees and pileated woodpeckers, inhabit the area year-round. Birds like the snow bunting and snowy owl migrate south from the arctic for the winter; the bald eagle, osprey, warblers and fly catchers migrate north to this area for the summer.

A variety of game fish including walleye, northern pike, trout and smallmouth bass are found in the area’s large numbers of lakes and rivers. The landscape of the area is a result of the under-lying geology. The area’s bedrock formation known as the Canadian Shield is some of the oldest rock on earth. It was formed by volcanic action approximately 2.7 billion years ago. Later, ancient seas laid down the valuable iron ore that is still mined in the area today. Further volcanic activity swept away the sea and formed two mountain ranges. The advancing and receding of glaciers, and millions of years of erosion have worn the mountains down, resulting in the present rugged landscape found along some parts of the trail.

The Arrowhead and Taconite State Trails provide a great opportunity to explore this area. To preserve this opportunity for the future, please respect the area's plant and wildlife communities.

EMERGENCY INFOIn an emergency call 911

Law EnforcementState Patrol Itasca County Sheriff Koochiching County Sheriff St. Louis County Sheriff (Virginia) (Hibbing)*Evenings and weekends

218-749-7720218-326-3477

218-283-4416 218-748-7510

218-262-0132 218-749-6010

Area Police Departments Ely Tower Virginia Grand Rapids

218-365-3222218-753-6660218-748-7510218-326-3464

Medical/Hospitals Ely Virginia Hibbing Grand Rapids

218-365-3271218-741-3340218-262-4881218-326-3401

“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer”

Printed on recycled paper with a minimum of

30% post-consumer material.

SLATINKSKITRAIL

MAINTRAIL

SANDBAY

TRAIL

3KTRAIL

TONE D AWGTRAIL

WOODYSTRAIL

CRANE LAKE TO ASH RIVER TRAIL

BUYCK TO

CRANE

LAKE TR.

ORR SPURSOUTH

RAINY LAKE TRAIL

RAINY LAKE TRAIL

CHAINOF

LAKES

TRAIL

VOYAGEURS TRAIL

KETTLE

RUDERBAY TRAIL

FALL

S

TRAIL

VOYAGEURTRAIL

CRANE LAKE

TO

ASH RIVER

EAST NAMAKAN

LOOP

GRADE

Pelican

Pelican

River

River

SandPointLake

DAVID DILL-ARROWHEAD

STATE TRAIL

DAVID DILL-TACONITE

STATE TRAILTACONITE

STATE TRAIL

Arrowhead State Trail

MAP KEY

Snowmobile

X-Country Ski

Hiking

Shelter/Campsite

Fire Tower

Parking

Campground

Shelter

Picnic Area

Vista

1 2 3 4 8

one inch equals four milesSCALE:

Forest and Park Trails

State Forest Ski Trails

Grant–in–Aid Trails

2 Trail Mileage

0

TRAILS & THEIR PERMITTED USES

TRAIL SYMBOLS

TMTrademark of American Soybean Association

Some private lands exist within the shaded areas for State & National Forest lands, and State Parks land. Please be aware of your surroundings.

International Falls

Duluth

Grand Rapids

Ely

ST. LOUISCOUNTY

ITASCACOUNTY

KOOCHICHING COUNTY

MinneapolisSt. Paul

TACONITE TRAIL

N

DAVID DILL - ARROWHEAD

DAVID DILL - TACONITE

PARKING/LODGINGPARKING AVAILBLE: At Taconite: - McCarthy Beach State Park - Minnesota Hwy 73 - U.S. Hwy 53 - Minnesota Hwy 1 - Minnesota Hwy 169, Peyla - Minnesota Hwy 135, TowerAt Arrowhead: - 2 Mi. West of Hwy 169 on Hwy 1

CAMPING AVAILABLE: (Taconite only) - McCarthy Beach State Park - Pfeifer Lake, National Forest - Bear Head Lake State Park - Several rustic campsites along trail

*All communities along the Taconite and Arrowheadtrails have food, fuel, lodging and retail areas available to campers.

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HISTORYThe Arrowhead and Taconite State Trails were developed by the DNR with ongoing assistance from the counties, other local governments, U.S. Forest Service, private businesses and trail groups. The trails connect towns and travel past lakes, rivers, resorts, mining sites, logging camps and trappers' shacks.

The earliest known inhabitants of the area, living thousands of years ago, left pictographs (rock paintings) and petroglyphs (rock carvings) north of the present trail area. Many Indian tribes had settled in the area, including the Lakota, Dakota and more recently in history, the Ojibway (Chippewa).

European immigration forced the Ojibway to move west along the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes. They entered present day northern Minnesota in the late 1600s. The lake and forest resources provided the Ojibway with abundant fish and wildlife in spite of the harsh winters. However, continued immigration eventually forced them from most of their land.

Fur trade began in this area in 1679. French-Canadian voyageurs from Montreal and Quebec came west to participate in the fur trade with the American Indians. The trade was dominated first by the French, then British and finally the Americans.

The fur trade era lasted about 175 years. When it ended, many voyageurs and new immigrants turned to logging.

During the early years of logging in the area thousands of acres of virgin red and white pine were cut down to supply the building boom in cities across the country. After the vast stands of mature growth pines were removed aspen forests established themselves. They support a thriving wood products industry which produces paper and building products.

The Arrowhead and Taconite Trails pass though a variety of public and private land ownerships along the trail route. Most of these lands are managed by public and private landowners for forest products.

Timber harvesting is often done in the winter when the ground is frozen which makes it easier to access harvesting sites that would be inaccessible in the summer due to wet conditions.

The major tree species found along the trail include aspen, white and black spruce, norway pine and white pine. Aspen, a pioneer species, is harvested by clearcutting to allow sunlight to reach the roots of the recently cut trees which will then sprout and produce aspen suckers in the first year after cutting.

Black spruce is also harvested in this manner, but it is usually seeded to get new trees on the site. White spruce, norway and white pine are usually thinned a number of times before the final harvest is undertaken when all remaining trees are removed and the site is replanted with seedlings.

Most tree species harvested in Minnesota are used to make paper and waferboard, but larger trees are also used to make lumber, cabinets, and furniture parts.

When traveling near a harvesting site please watch out for logging trucks and other equipment.

In addition to the natural resources provided by the forest, the discovery of iron ore dramatically changed northern Minnesota. The rich iron ore deposits contributed to the industrialization of the whole country. The development of the mining industry created a large demand for labor. This led to a wave of European immigration and to the growth of the "Iron Range" and its associated mining towns. The mining industry started to decline as the rich ore was used up. The industry was reinvigorated for a time by the development of taconite, the mining process that made mining of lower grade iron ore economically viable. The mining industry has experienced ongoing restructuring which results in lower employment levels.

INFORMATION

For travel planning information contact:

MN Office of Tourism100 Metro Square, 121 7th Place EastSt. Paul MN 55101-2146651-296-5029 (metro area)1-888-TOURISM (toll free)1-800-766-8687 (Canada)

MN Department of Natural ResourcesDNR Information Center

500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul MN 55155-4040651-296-6157 (metro area)1-888-646-6367 (toll free)

DNR provides outdoor recreation information, brochures, maps and snow & trail conditions.

DNR Regional Office1201 E. Highway 2Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 999-7920*DNR Taconite Trail Hdqtrs. (Grand RapidsArea)(218) 999-7923

DNR Arrowhead/Taconite Trail (Tower Area) Hdqtrs.650 Highway 169Tower, MN 55790 (218) 753-2580

INFORMATION CENTERSTower Area:

DNR Parks and Trails650 Highway 169Tower, MN 55790Phone: 1-218-753-2580Fax: 1-218-753-4517

Ely/ Lake Vermilion Area:

Lake Vermilion Resort Assoc.& Cook C. O. C./Visitors Center320 N Hwy 53Cook, MN 55723Phone: (local) 1-218-666-5850Phone: (toll free) 1-800-648-5897

Ely C. O. C.1600 E Sheridan StreetEly, MN 55731Phone: (local) 1-218-365-6123Phone: (toll free) 1-800-777-7281Fax: 1-218-365-5929

Lake Vermilion C. O. C.PO Box 776Tower, MN 55790Phone: (local) 1-218-753-2301Phone: (toll free) 1-800-869-3766

Iron Range Area:

Aurora C. O. C.PO Box 53Aurora, MN 55705Phone: 1-218-229-2234

Chisholm C. O. C.10 2nd Ave NWChisholm, MN 55719Phone: (local) 1-218-254-7930Phone: (toll free) 1-800-422-0806

Virginia/Eveleth/Mt. Iron/Gilbert C.O.C.413 Pierce St. #10, PO Box 556Eveleth, MN 55734Phone: 1-218-744-1940

Hibbing C. O. C.211 E Howard Street, PO Box 727Hibbing, MN 55746Phone: (local) 1-218-262-3895Phone: (toll free) 1-800-4HIBBING

Iron Trail Convention & Visitors Center403 First Street N.Virginia, MN 55792Phone: (local) 1-218-749-8161Phone: (toll free) 1-800-777-8497

Virginia/Eveleth/Mt. Iron/Gilbert C. O. C.403 First Street N., PO Box 1072Virginia, MN 55792Phone: 1-218-741-2717

Orr/ Voyageurs Natl. Park Area:

Crane Lake Visitor Bureau7238 Handberg RoadCrane Lake, MN 55725Phone: (local) 1-218-993-2901Phone: (toll free) 1-800-362-7405

International Falls C. O. C. 301 2nd. AvenueInternational Falls, MN 56649Phone: (local) 1-218-283-9400Phone: (toll free) 1-800 FALLS MN

Kabetogama Lake Tourism Bureau9903 Gamma RoadKabetogama, MN 56669Phone: (local) 1-218-875-2621Phone: (toll free) 1-800-524-9085

Orr area & Voyageurs Nat’l Park Info.4429 Hwy 53, PO Box 236Orr, MN 55771Phone: (local) 1-218-757-3932Phone: (toll free) 1-800-357-9255

Orr-Pelican Lake Resort Assoc.4498 Pine Acres Rd.Orr, MN 55771Phone: 1-800-777-4690

Voyageurs National ParkPhone: 1-218-283-9821

Grand Rapids Area:

Grand Rapids C.O.C.One NW 3rd St.Grand Rapids, MN 55744Phone:(local) 218-326-6619Phone:(toll free) 1-800-472-6366Fax:1-218-326-4825

US Forest Service Offices:

Gunflint Ranger District2020 W Hwy 61, PO Box 790Grand Marais, MN 55604Phone: 1-218-387-1750

Kawishiwi Ranger District118 S 4th Ave EEly, MN 55731Phone: 1-218-365-7600

Laurentian Ranger District318 Forestry RoadAurora, MN 55705Phone: 1-218-229-8800

USFS Marcell Ranger District49554 Hwy 38Marcell, MN 56657Phone: 1-218-832-3161

Tofte Ranger DistrictHwy 61, PO Box 2159Tofte, MN 55615Phone: 1-218-663-7280

La Croix Ranger District320 Hwy 53 NCook, MN 557231-218-666-0020

SturgeonLake

Lily Lake

Mississippi

Forest Lake

Crystal Lake

Hale Lake

Miner's Lake

FallLake

FarmLake Rive

r

Shagawa Lake

White Iron Lake

Burntside Lake

TroutLake

PineLake

Vermilion Lake

Willow River

Little Fork River

Rice River

Bearskin River

Stur geon River

LostLake

Eagle Nest

Lakes

Vermilion Lake

Bear Island Lake

Pike RiverEmbarrass River

Kawish

iwi

Birch Lake

Gabbro Lake

Big Rice Lake

Rice River

Lake14

SandLake

Sturgeon River

Dark River

Prairie

WabanaLake

Prairie Lake

Prairie River

TroutLake

SwanLake

St. Louis River

WynneLake

West Two River

Reservoir

Day Brook

Sandy River

River

PUTNAM LAKE TRAIL

FISHING LAKESTRAILTIM COREY

TRAIL

BEAR LAKETRAIL

CIRCLE T TRAIL 4

to McCarthy Beach State Park

To Tower &Taconite

State Trail

To White Iron

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TaconiteState Trail

to Elyto

VermilionLake

beginning ofTaconite

State Trail

AURO-BITRAIL

BEARSKIN TRAIL

Pioneer Rd.

To Hwy. 18

TACONITESPURTRAIL

TACONITE SPUR TRAI

L

IRON ORETRAIL

TOMAHAWK TRAIL

STONY SPUR TRAIL

to North Shore

State Trail

LAWRONTRAIL

SUOMITRAIL

CLEARWATERTRAIL

GOODLANDTRAIL

HERBBRANSTROM

TRAIL

LAURENTIANTRAIL

to Quadna,Hill City

to TaconiteState Trail

WOLF TRACK TRAIL

TIMCOREYTRAIL

Mc Carthy BeachState Park

Side Lake

Washington

State

George

ScenicStatePark

Chippewa

ForestSWAMPSIDERS

CLUBHOUSE

GrandRapids

ITAS

CACO

UN

TY

ST. L

OU

IS C

OU

NTY

Hill Annex MineState Park

Forest

National

Taconite

Bovey

Coleraine

Pengilly

MarbleCalumet

Nashwauk

KeewatinHibbing

ForestStateKabetogama

Sturgeon River

State Forest

WahlstenSturgeon River State Forest

Cook

Salo Corner

Britt

Superior

National

Local Routes

ELY• All alleys may be used• Use no streets, except as marked• All state laws apply• No riding on sidewalks• Use right hand side of street

Virginia

Mountain Iron

Eveleth

GRAND RAPIDS

Chisholm

Buhl

Gilbert

S. 3rd St.

S. 2nd St.

169

N. 3rd St.

Main St.local trail

local trail

TOWER

169

3

38

1692

2

Information

• Speed limit 15 m.p.h.• No operation between midnight and 7 a.m.• Snowmobiles must stop at all intersections

and yield to all motor vehicles and pedestrians• No snowmobiles on state or county highways• No operation on city parks or school properties

B.W.C.A.W

Ely

Winton

Burntside

State

Forest

Lake Vermilion - SoudanUnderground

Mine State ParkVermilion Lake

Indian Reservation

ST. L

OU

IS C

OU

NTY

LAKE

CO

UN

TY

Embarrass

State ForestBear

Boundary Waters

Canoe Area

Wilderness

Superior

Soudan

Bear Head LakeStatePark

Island

Tower

National

Babbitt

McKinley

Biwabik Aurora

Forest

Forest

Boundary Waters

Canoe Area

Wilderness

DAY BROOK TRAIL

Popl

ar S

t.

7th

Ave.7th St. 7th St.

7th St.

White St.

Washington St.

Camp St.

Ridgeway Rd.14th St.

3rd

Ave.

10th

Ave

.

3rd

Ave.

Cent

ral A

ve.

15th

Ave

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1st A

ve.

3rd

Ave.

10th

Ave

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1st St.

4th St.

1st St.

Poke

gam

a Av

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11th

Ave

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Shagawa Lake

DAVID DILL-TACONITE

STATE TRAIL

TACONITESTATE TRAIL

DAVID DILL - ARROWHEADSTATE TRAIL

MAP KEY

Snowmobile

X-Country Ski

Hiking

Shelter/Campsite

Parking

Campground

Shelter

Picnic Area

1 2 3 4 8

one inch equals four milesSCALE:

2Trail Mileage

0

TRAILS & THEIR PERMITTED USES TRAIL SYMBOLS

Other Trails

Grant–in–Aid Trails

State Park Ski Trails

State Forest & Park Trail

Taconite State Trail

N

81 2 3 4

SCALE: one inch equals four miles

169 13

21

13

169

3rd

Ave

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NORTH

This portion of the Taconite State Trail is open to ATVs (class 1 and 2) and OHMs

May 15- October 31.

These portions of the Taconite StateTrail is open to ATVs (class 1 and 2)and OHMs May 15- October 31.

Taconite State Trail - ATVs allowed