Though there are no official/designated ATV trails in Rainy Lake, there are lots of places to enjoy ATV riding.
A good place to start is the Blue Ox trail and Koochiching County roads/forestry roads. ATV/UTV riding has become a popular way to get to know a community of other enthusiasts that love the outdoors and care for the environment. Everyone should take responsibility to learn the rules and regulations related to ATV riding and abide by them to be safe and legal. There are specific guidelines for youth riders that can be found on the DNR website. Adventure awaits on the many roads and areas where ATVs are allowed. It's an activity the whole family can enjoy! ATV's and OHV (all terrain vehicles and off highway vehicles) are fun and powerful. Trail riding is exciting and a great way to spend time in the great outdoors. Safety is critical to make sure the fun doesn't end up with someone getting injured. Combining the power and speed these machines are capable of can spell disaster if one doesn't have the proper training or experience to operate safely. Matching the size of the machine to the rider is critical. For example, a 12 year old may not have the physical characteristics needed to be able to control an ATV meant for a larger, stronger adult.
That's why State regulations have been put in place to give guidance on who is eligible to ride. These statutes and rules can be found at the DNR website and should be reviewed carefully by anyone planning to go trail riding this year. A rule that was added in 2018 makes ATV/OHV riding unlawful to anyone that has a revoked or suspended drivers license due to DWI offense. The DNR has a brochure that can be obtained at any Department of Motor Vehicles license bureau and should be reviewed thoroughly before loading up for the weekend trail ride. The rules have been designed to help riders have a safe and enjoyable experience. Like any sport activity, the more time spent doing it will increase your skill and understanding of the limits to the machine and your own ability. While fishing, boating and other water activities are often the main attraction on Rainy Lake, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the area by bike. A 12-mile paved trail runs adjacent to Highway 11 from International Falls to the Voyageurs National Park Visitors Center and offers diversions such as ice cream stops, wildlife viewing and even a dip in the lake! Miles 0-3 The trail is located just east of the Convention and Visitors Bureau office (301 2nd Avenue), roughly where highway 53 meets highway 11/71 in downtown International Falls. You can park there to begin your eastward journey. This area of the trail features river views on your left, which overlook the community of Fort Frances, Ontario. Note the paper mill at the falls, as well as the wood chips and logs that are piled along the highway before being sent to the mill. Make a stop at the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters (360 Highway 11), where you can enjoy the river views. Miles 3-5 Approximately 3 miles east of International Falls is the community of Ranier, marked by a 25-foot statue affectionately known as “Big Vic.” Plan to take time for a detour here. Ranier is a charming village with restaurants, a bar and brewery, as well as an ice cream shop. Chances are good you will see a train, as the Canadian National Railway border crossing in Ranier sees the most railroad cars of any crossing between the U.S. and Canada. This is also where the Rainy Lake flows into the Rainy River, which you can see from the Spruce Street dock. From here, you can either head back to the highway, or bike along County Road 20, which wends through a residential area and past City Beach, where you can cool off with a swim or enjoy a picnic. Miles 5-7 Here the bike trail merges with highway 11 for a few miles, while the landscape begins to change. You’ll see some of the only farmland – watch for cranes, geese and deer – as well as an unobstructed view of Rainy Lake at the Jackfish Bay Wayside Park. The trail then turns left at County Road 103 to become enveloped in the wooded landscape. Miles 7-10 This part of the trail crosses Tilson Bay, where you can see wild rice growing in the wetlands on the right and Rainy Lake to the left. Stop here to rest on the dock or get in some cross training with a trek on the hiking trail. Miles 10-12 Here the trail is on the shoulder of Highway 11, which challenges bikers with a long, gradual uphill climb before again turning to the left and into the woods. Gradual hills make for a fun, not-too-hard ride, while grouse are known to peak out from the underbrush. At the end of the trail, cross Highway 11 to the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail, a wide, paved path that welcomes runners, walkers and bicyclists. Leading to the entrance of Rainy Lake Visitor Center the 1.75-miles include benches for taking a breather while taking in the views of Rainy Lake. |
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