Enjoy A Secluded Stroll On A Little-Known Path Along This Iconic Minnesota River

At 192 miles, the St. Louis River is one of the longest rivers that’s wholly contained in the state of Minnesota, and its entire length is contained within the state’s Arrowhead Region. Over its course, the St. Louis River contributes to unique ecosystems, picks up tributaries, and shows off its power at Jay Cooke State Park, before flowing into Lake Superior as the largest feeder river of the largest lake in the world. You can explore a secluded stretch of the iconic St. Louis on a secluded riverfront trail in Minnesota near the tiny community of Forbes.

The St. Louis River Trail is located south of Virginia and southeast of Hibbing in the greater Sax-Zim Bog area.

The main trailhead is located in the township of Zim, near the spot where Zim Road crosses the river.

The path meanders through a mature, mixed forest.

Species include spruce and tamarack, as well as birch and aspen.

As you hike, keep an eye out for a variety of plant species, some of which are bog specialists, and can only be found it habitats like this.

There’s also plenty of wildlife in the area, including deer, fox, pine martens, black bears, gray wolves, and even the occasional moose.

The Sax-Zim Bog is one of the world’s premier birding areas, so listen for calls and scan the canopy for the many birds that visit or live in this part of the state.

This is a beautiful hike over relatively level terrain that can be as long or short as you want it to be.

Be warned, though: In the summer, you’ll want plenty of insect protection!

While it’s not the best known hike in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, this secluded riverfront trail in Minnesota shows off some of our state’s truly incredible features. Be sure to linger in the area to explore the amazing Sax-Zim Bog, stop by the charming town of Meadowlands, and grab a bite to eat at the Wilbert Cafe in Cotton. Cell service can be spotty here, so when I go, I usually use an offline map that I’ve downloaded from AllTrails Plus - not only is the map handy, AllTrails also offers trail reviews and updates.

Have you walked the St. Louis River Hiking and Fishing Trail? Let us know in the comments!