In fall 2023, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources broke ground on a project that has been a long time in the making: 20 miles of new trail in Minnesota that will connect Itasca State Park with the Heartland State Trail at Park Rapids. This connector will open up a whole new world of recreational opportunities for users of both the park and the trail.

Itasca State Park is the oldest and second-largest unit in the Minnesota state park system.
Amanda VanNorstrand/Google Reviews
Home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, as well as some of the oldest and tallest trees in the state, Itasca is a popular year-round destination for Minnesotans and visitors, alike.
As one of the jewels in the system, Itasca enjoys considerable front-country development.
Itasca State Park contains the Headwaters of the Mississippi River and is located in northern Minnesota
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This includes an extensive, multi-use trail system within the park.
Hikers and cyclists share the trails in warm weather, and cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts enjoy them when there’s snow on the ground.
Downhill bike sign on trail in Itasca State Park, Northern Minnesota, USA
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Not far from Itasca State Park, you’ll find the charming and historic town of Park Rapids.
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Not only is Park Rapids, the gateway community for the park, it’s the (current) western terminus of the Heartland State Trail.
Cesar Ladron De Guevara/Google Reviews
Established in 1974, the Heartland is one of Minnesota’s oldest state trails.
The trail runs 49 miles from Park Rapids to Cass Lake (or vice versa).
Richard N. Horne/Wikimedia Commons
It passes through the Northwoods communities of Dorset, Akeley, Nevis, and Walker along the way.
I think the connector makes a ton of sense, as it connects this popular trail with one of the most visited parks in the state - and in so doing, it expands the recreational opportunities for both while offering a potential boost to the economy of Park Rapids and the Heartland Lakes Region.
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The first phase, which started in 2023, consists of two miles of trail extending from Itasca State Park. It includes the construction of a tunnel below Highway 71 - which was largely completed by September 2023 - so users can pass safely beneath the highway.

We can’t wait for the completion of this connector trail and all the doors to recreational opportunities that it will open. Check out the DNR’s master plan for this new Minnesota trail on its webpage. Keep track of updates on the trail extensions with AllTrails Plus, which is really good about adding new trail information as it becomes available. And if you’re more of a hiker than a cyclist, be sure to check out our guide to hiking essentials to make sure you’re carrying all the proper gear.

What are your thoughts on this new trail connection in Minnesota? Is this a segment you would use? Let us know in the comments!

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Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA