If you care to look for it, history can be found in every corner of Minnesota – even along hiking trails near Brainerd, Minnesota. Signs of ancient people, such as Jeffers Petroglyphs or Indian Mounds Park, are attractions that offer clues to the ancient past. There are more recent historical sites as well, such as Fort Snelling or the Forestville ghost town. But these well-known attractions barely scratch the surface of Minnesota historical sites. There are plenty of others that do not get as much attention. For example, there’s an abandoned village at Crow Wing State Park in northern Minnesota. Take a hike through the park to discover this little-known piece of Minnesota history. Here’s what you need to know:
Crow Wing State Park is a 3,100-acre state park in central Minnesota. It’s about 10 miles south of Brainerd and 120 miles north of Minneapolis.
Kelly Schadeck/Google
The park is situated where the Crow Wing and Mississippi Rivers meet. A mixed forest of pine, aspen, and oak crowds along the riverbanks.
Julie R. Neidlinger/Google
There are 18 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. They lead along the rivers, across grassy clearings, and through a forest thick with foliage and wildlife. The trails alone make the park worth visiting!
Jessica Brouillette/Google
One trail in particular leads to an abandoned townsite once known as Old Crow Wing. Follow the short but fascinating boardwalk trail to discover the old town, which was first occupied by the Ojibwe people.
McGhiever/Wikipedia
Later, European traders came to the area. The convenient river location drew in many people. Old Crow Wing had more than 500 residents at its peak.
Brett Whaley/Google
The most prominent part of the townsite - and the only structure still remaining - is the Beaulieu House. Built in 1849, it was the home of Clement Beaulieu, who ran the trading post here.
Crow Wing State Park/Google
In 1868, the Ojibwe who lived in Crow Wing were moved to the White Earth Indian Reservation. Soon after, the town’s structures were moved. Today, little evidence remains except for signs where structures used to be.
Jessica Brouillette/Google
Your visit to Crow Wing State Park will show you another side of Minnesota’s history as you walk along the beautiful trails through a forgotten ghost town.
Brian Pederson/Google
Crow Wing State Park is definitely worth the trip – for both the hike and the history. Not to mention, you’ll be in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area.
Kelly Schadeck/Google
Julie R. Neidlinger/Google
Jessica Brouillette/Google
McGhiever/Wikipedia
Brett Whaley/Google
Crow Wing State Park/Google
Brian Pederson/Google
Have you ever visited Crow Wing State Park or any other hiking trails near Brainerd, Minnesota? What other historic places in Minnesota do you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
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Address: Crow Wing State Park, 3124 State Park Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking Trails Near Brainerd, Minnesota December 04, 2022 Trent Jonas What are some other Brainerd, Minnesota trails? With its location in the renowned Lakes region, Brainerd is a mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking. Some of the best Brainerd, Minnesota trails can be found close to town. Others, you may need to travel a short distance to get to. Trails to consider include
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Consider another of the waterfront hikes in Minnesota, near the Brainerd Area. Other hikes in Minnesota, including several near Brainerd, will take you along spectacular waterfront trails, so you can enjoy all the natural riparian beauty that living in the Land of 10,000 Lakes offers. Gull Lake Recreation Area is right on Brainerd’s main lake. From Brainerd, you can easily access Mille Lacs Lake, which is one of the largest in the state and is home to two state parks. Some Minnesota hikes are even better in winter. There are plenty of year-round Minnesota hikes, and in wintertime, you not only avoid the bugs, but you can also go places where you can’t go in the summer, like along the edges of frozen lakes or across bogs. Moreover, with less foliage on the trees, the views change with the seasons. Did you know there’s a train tunnel that’s been abandoned hiking trail in Minnesota? That’s right - Ely’s Peak is home to a train tunnel that’s been abandoned/hiking trail in Minnesota. Located in Duluth, which is a couple of hours northeast of Brainerd, Ely’s Peak boasts a pair of awesome hiking trails. One of them will take you right into a railway tunnel that was bored straight through the 1,100-foot peak. But you don’t have to worry about trains. The tunnel was built more than 100 years ago and was abandoned by train traffic in the 1990s. Now it’s open for hikers, like you, to explore.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking Trails Near Brainerd, Minnesota
December 04, 2022
Trent Jonas
What are some other Brainerd, Minnesota trails? With its location in the renowned Lakes region, Brainerd is a mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking. Some of the best Brainerd, Minnesota trails can be found close to town. Others, you may need to travel a short distance to get to. Trails to consider include
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Consider another of the waterfront hikes in Minnesota, near the Brainerd Area. Other hikes in Minnesota, including several near Brainerd, will take you along spectacular waterfront trails, so you can enjoy all the natural riparian beauty that living in the Land of 10,000 Lakes offers. Gull Lake Recreation Area is right on Brainerd’s main lake. From Brainerd, you can easily access Mille Lacs Lake, which is one of the largest in the state and is home to two state parks. Some Minnesota hikes are even better in winter. There are plenty of year-round Minnesota hikes, and in wintertime, you not only avoid the bugs, but you can also go places where you can’t go in the summer, like along the edges of frozen lakes or across bogs. Moreover, with less foliage on the trees, the views change with the seasons. Did you know there’s a train tunnel that’s been abandoned hiking trail in Minnesota? That’s right - Ely’s Peak is home to a train tunnel that’s been abandoned/hiking trail in Minnesota. Located in Duluth, which is a couple of hours northeast of Brainerd, Ely’s Peak boasts a pair of awesome hiking trails. One of them will take you right into a railway tunnel that was bored straight through the 1,100-foot peak. But you don’t have to worry about trains. The tunnel was built more than 100 years ago and was abandoned by train traffic in the 1990s. Now it’s open for hikers, like you, to explore.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With its location in the renowned Lakes region, Brainerd is a mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking. Some of the best Brainerd, Minnesota trails can be found close to town. Others, you may need to travel a short distance to get to. Trails to consider include
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
- Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Consider another of the waterfront hikes in Minnesota, near the Brainerd Area.
Other hikes in Minnesota, including several near Brainerd, will take you along spectacular waterfront trails, so you can enjoy all the natural riparian beauty that living in the Land of 10,000 Lakes offers. Gull Lake Recreation Area is right on Brainerd’s main lake. From Brainerd, you can easily access Mille Lacs Lake, which is one of the largest in the state and is home to two state parks.
Some Minnesota hikes are even better in winter.
There are plenty of year-round Minnesota hikes, and in wintertime, you not only avoid the bugs, but you can also go places where you can’t go in the summer, like along the edges of frozen lakes or across bogs. Moreover, with less foliage on the trees, the views change with the seasons.
Did you know there’s a train tunnel that’s been abandoned hiking trail in Minnesota?
That’s right - Ely’s Peak is home to a train tunnel that’s been abandoned/hiking trail in Minnesota. Located in Duluth, which is a couple of hours northeast of Brainerd, Ely’s Peak boasts a pair of awesome hiking trails. One of them will take you right into a railway tunnel that was bored straight through the 1,100-foot peak. But you don’t have to worry about trains. The tunnel was built more than 100 years ago and was abandoned by train traffic in the 1990s. Now it’s open for hikers, like you, to explore.
