Category: Minnesota Federal

Pipestone National Monument
“For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe’s smoke carries one’s prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.”
Here is the Monument website.     Accessibility  Phone  507-825-5464 x 214  Map
? The Circle Trail 0.75 mile  paved walking trail through tallgrass prairie and woodlands that “…is not ADA-compliant, it may be wheelchair accessible with some assistance.”

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
“Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Minnesota. Packs of wolves, moose, waterfowl, and 300 species of birds make this refuge a wildlife wonderland.”  There is a 4 mile self-guided auto drove and a 0.25 mile foot trail that runs along the auto drive.    Brochure   Phone: 218-449-4115   Website.           
From OhRanger.com:  there are …”three walking trails: two are universally accessible trails, being 0.5-mile and 0.7-mile, and another is 0.25-miles. There is a wildlife observation blind along the two longer trails. Headquarters Hiking Trail is a half-mile, self-guided, foot trail.”  Since the refuge website does not address accessibility, it would be best to call ahead to be sure trails are easy enough for you.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in east central Minnesota is managed to promote the health and well-being of migratory birds and their habitat. There are upland habitats are dynamic, ranging from grasslands to oak savanna to forest, interspersed with a variety of wetland and river habitats ranging from sedge meadow to deep water marsh.  “In October, thousands of sandhill cranes converge on the refuge marshes and a visit at dawn or dusk will provide the rare treat of large flocks of birds flying in or out of the refuge. ”   Map.   Call 1-877-721-4295 or 763-389-3323  for information.  Here is their website.  Brochure
Two scenic hiking trails, the Blue Hill and the Mahnomen, provide a total of “nearly eight miles of easy walking. ”
The Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive, a 7.3-mile loop road, “provides vehicle access for wildlife viewing in wetlands, oak savanna, prairie openings, and woodlands. The drive is open from late April through October, or as weather dictates.”  The map shows a wheelchair accessibility icon next to this road.  Better check with the Refuge first.

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
“Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Aitkin County in east central Minnesota, about five miles south of the community of McGregor. It was established in 1935 to preserve valuable habitat for waterfowl. The most important resource on the refuge is Rice Lake itself, a shallow, 3,600 acre wild rice-producing lake”
The refuge has more than seven miles of hiking trails, ranging in length from one-quarter mile to two and a half miles and there is a 14 mile self-guided auto tour route. “An observation deck overlooks 3,600-acre Rice Lake, where more than 70,000 ring-necked ducks and other waterfowl can be seen during the fall migration.”    Phone: 218-768-2402    Map   Refuge Website
There is a 1/4 mile accessible trail as well as number of short trails described as ranging “from level to gently sloping. Some muddy and wet areas may be encountered.”

Superior National Forest
Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota bordering on Canada “…is known for its boreal forest ecosystem, numerous clean lakes, and a colorful cultural history. The one million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness lies within the boundaries of the Forest.”
Here is a Hiking Brochure for the Forest.  Accessibility is not mentioned, although there are some short interpretive trails which might be easy, at least.  There are quite a few easy trails listed for the Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts in this East Zone Hiking brochure.
Here is the Forest website.    Phone: 218-626-4300
Vermilion Falls is about 27 miles northeast of Orr.   The trail is 0.25 miles round trip.  “The trail and the observation deck overlooking the falls are accessible.”
The 1000′ White Pine Trail sounds as if it might be wheelchair accessible, but the Forest Service only says it is “wide and graveled”.   It goes through “majestic” white pines.
The North Dark River Trail   goes along the east bank of the Dark river through a pine plantation as is described as “generally flat.”  ironrange.org describes it as “usable and accessible by people of all ages.”
There are 3 handicapped accessible trails in Grand Portage State Park which is within the Forest.

Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa National Forest “contains two of Minnesota’s five largest lakes, and eight different types of wetlands each with distinct plant and animal life.” It is located near the boundaries of the coniferous forest to the north, the hardwoods to the south, and the prairie to the west, and is home to 314 species of wildlife, including timberwolves, beaver, eagles and moose.
Phone: 218.335.8600   Here is the Forest website.   
The Norway Beach Interpretive Trail is 1.5 mile long.  Photos of it look as though it would be easy, but I am not finding much information about it.  Call 218.335.8600 to learn more and to be sure it is open.  “Access to the beach is first a paved path and then open, level  grassy picnic area.”
The Heartland State Trail “is a 47 mile paved multiple use trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake.  The trail is located entirely on a level abandoned railroad grade, except for a four mile segment north of Walker which is on sharply rolling terrain. ”  From TrailLink:  it “…runs past a number of lakes, rivers and streams, many of which are directly accessible from the pathway. ….. towering white pine, spruce fir and hardwood forests offer shade and habitat for various animals, including raccoon, red fox, whitetail deer, beaver and porcupine. The trail also skirts the edge of both Paul Bunyan State Forest and Chippewa National Forest, home to a large population of bald eagles.”

Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs is “…218,054 acres, including 84,000 acres of water, many miles of undeveloped shoreline and hundreds of islands. The park’s 55-mile northern boundary is the international border between the United States and Canada…”  “This area, where the southern boreal forest meets and mixes with the northern hardwood forest, is widely known for its wildlife viewing opportunities.”  You might hear wolves or see bald eagles, loons, moose, and otters.
Phone 218-283-6600. Here is the Park website.   Accessibility   Trails and Overlooks  Map   Voyageurs National Park Association
Oberholtzer Trail Map  goes from the “Rainy Lake Visitor Center to two overlooks to see the diversity of forest and wetland types in the park. This trail is wheelchair accessible for the first 1/4 mile.”
Kabetogama Lake Overlook is a 0.2 mile walk to a view of Kabetogama Lake.