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| Echo Lake Trail east segment. Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR. |
Located in Carlton County, Moose Lake sits between the Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Duluth-Superior metro areas along Interstate 35. Its outdoors highlight is Moose Lake State Park.
Among the great day hiking trails in the Moose Lake area are:
g Echo Lake Trail west segment – Look for billion-year-old agates on the 1-mile west segment of the Echo Lake Trail in Moose Lake State Park. To reach the trailhead, leave Interstate 35 at Exit 214, taking County Road 137 east into the park. Turn right/south to the park office; past it, turn right/west into a pair of parking lots. The trailhead is on the eastern lot’s south side.
g Echo Lake Trail east segment – A total of 1.5 miles, the trail hugs the northeast shoreline of Echo Lake. Past the Moose Lake State Park visitor center, turn right/west to a pair of parking lots; the trailhead is at the south side of the eastern lot. Veer left/east at the first trail junction. Watch for otters and loons.
g Rolling Hills Trail – At 1.7-miles round trip, the looping trail passes two ponds. Park in the lot across from the state park visitor center, taking the trail heading east from the lot. Turn north at the first trail going left/north (Warning: the trail crosses County Road 137). At the next junction, the stem to the loop begins; go right/northeast, past the dam. Upon reaching the junction after that, head left/north. On the north end of Wildlife Pond at the shelter, go right/northeast. Ignore the next two trail junctions.
g Soo Line North ATV Trail – Moose Lake marks the eastern terminus of this 148-mile ATV trail that also can be day hiked. The former rail line, which largely runs through a hardwood forest, can be accessed west of town by parking at the end of North Kenwood Avenue south of Minn. Hwys. 27/73.
g Soo Line South ATV Trail – The 114-mile ATV trails connects to the North portion of the trail and shares its trailhead/parking area. The trail heads both north and south from this access point.
g Tall Pine Trail – The 1-mile lollipop trail starts at the parking lot across from the state park office. Take the trail heading east from the lot; the stem trail briefly joins with the Echo Lake Trail east segment.
g Wildlife Pond Trail – The 1.2-mile trail loops around Wildlife Pond. Start at the parking lot across from the state park office by taking the trail heading east from the lot. Turn north at the first trail going left/north (Warning: This crosses County Road 137). At the next junction, the loop begins. Go clockwise, always keeping the pond to your right when coming to other trail junctions. Watch the skies for bald eagles that have nested near the pond.
g Willard Munger State Trail – Park on Industrial Road between Third and Hickory avenues. Going south on the trail takes hikers across and then along the Moose Horn River.
Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.
