Hiking Trails in Northern MN

Looking for hiking trails in Northern MN that are scenic, peaceful, and close to your cabin rental? Loon Point Resort puts you right in the heart of the Northwoods, where the trails are quiet, the air smells of pine, and every turn brings you closer to nature.

Whether you’re staying for a family getaway, a couples weekend, or a fun stay with friends, our location makes it easy to mix in some hiking time along with spending time on a private Minnesota lake in a beautiful cabin rental.

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🚶‍♀️ Hiking From Your Cabin Rental

One (of the many things 🙂 )that guests love about Loon Point Resort is how easy it is to start a hike right from their cabin. No driving, no planning, just step outside and go.

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🚶‍♀️Joyce Estate Hiking Trails (A Hidden Gem)

If you’re looking for hiking trails in MN with a little history, a lot of Northwoods beauty, and that “wow, this is amazing” feeling…the Joyce Estate Trails is a must-do! Located within the Chippewa National Forest, this historic landmark is ONLY accessible by hiking or biking in.

A list History of Joyce Estate

In the 1880s, William T. Joyce came to the area, started buying land, and logged the area into the early 1900s. In 1918, the heir to the family fortune surveyed the area around Trout Lake with the intention of building a hunting camp. Over the next 17 years, he built a 4,500-acre private resort with 40 buildings, a golf course, a private telephone line, and an airplane hangar. The estate operated as a plush private resort for the Joyce Family until 1972, when it was sold to the Nature Conservancy. The Forest Service subsequently acquired it in 1973.

🏡 Visitors can tour the grounds of the Joyce Estate and view the rustic log architecture and stickwork characteristic of the Adirondack tradition.

Before you go:

• First: Come up to the Lodge, and we will give you maps and directions.
• We recommend packing a lunch and eating in the Joyce Estate area.
• Bring bug spray!
• Wear good hiking shoes
• Bring your swimsuit and a towel to swim in the beautiful Caribbean blue water of Trout Lake
• Hiking Distance: About 5 miles

Joyce Estates information and estate map

Trout Lake information and map – with other hiking trails

Library of Congress – check out some old photos!!

Scenic State Park

Scenic State Park has several hiking trails of varying distances for a total of 15 miles of trails.  The park contains several magnificent stands of old white and red pine that visitors can enjoy hiking through.

Chase Point – the most popular trail

Hiking: Take the trail up the hill to your right until it reaches the main trail and turn left. (A sign points the way to the Chase Point Trail.) The trail is about 1 mile long, and follows the top of a ridge between two lakes (Sandwick and Coon Lakes). You can see both lakes along this trail. This is an interpretive trail, with signs along the way identifying many of the trees. At several points, you walk on a bed of pine needles through some beautiful towering red pines. About halfway along the trail you come to a large log with a commemorative plaque regarding Zaiser Island in Sandwick Lake. At the end of the trail, you go down the ridge to the edge of Coon Lake. (They’ve put in some steps to help you navigate the steep slope.) When you get to the end of the point, walk around to the left and sit on the wooden bench at the edge of the beach. You’ll often see little sunfish swim up to the edge of the lake at this spot.

Total Hiking Distance: 2 miles round trip

The Fire Tower Trail In Scenic State Park

Hiking: At the start of this trail you walk by some giant red and white pine trees before descending into a forest lowland area with lots of wildflowers. After about 0.6 miles you come to a fork in the trail. Take the trail to the right. (A sign points toward the fire tower.) Another 0.6 miles brings you to the fire tower. The trail from the fork to the tower is generally uphill, with the last block or so decidedly uphill. (NOTE: The fire tower is fenced off, and you are not allowed to climb it.)

At the fire tower the trail comes to a T. I would recommend hiking the trail to the left for about ¼ mile until you reach a two-rut road. Then go directly across this road to a trail marked with a campsite sign. Follow this trail about 1 block to the campsite, which overlooks a beautiful, undeveloped lake (Pine Lake).

Total Hiking Distance: 3 miles round trip

We can provide you with a map of all the trails at Scenic State Park and it will take you about 30 minutes to drive from the resort to the park.

The Taconite Trail

Getting There: Take the resort road and gravel road back out to the paved highway (Co. Rd. 52) and turn left (south). Go about 4 miles until you reach a stop sign (Co. Rd. 7) and turn left (south). Drive about 3½ miles until you see a road sign for a snowmobile crossing at the top of a rise in the road. Turn right at the top of the rise in the road into a small parking area. (NOTE: Although this is a snowmobile trail, they mow the parking area and parts of the trail during the summer.)  It will take about 13 minutes to drive from the resort tot he parking area.

Hiking: Cross the highway and follow the trail to the east. You pass through both woods and meadows on this trail, with lots of wildflowers along the trail. After about ¾ mile, you walk down a hill onto a bridge crossing a beautiful clear stream with lots of small fish and hundreds of small clams. Hiking distance is about 1½ miles round trip back to the car.

You can also follow the trail from the parking area to the west. The trail follows an unimproved road through the thick woods.