NPS
Land Access (accessible by car)
TRAILS
Blind Ash Bay Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles loop
Hiking Time: 2.5 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe
Park at the Kabetogama Lake Overlook near the Ash River Visitor Center to access the trailhead. Travel a narrow, winding, rocky trail to experience the wonders of the boreal forest and to view spectacular scenery.
Echo Bay Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 2.5 mile loop
Hiking Time: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Cross-Country Ski
This park trail is located three miles from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center off Country Road 122. A wide path takes you from aspens to pines as you pass through lowlands and rocky outcrops. Birding is great there with a great blue heron rookery and sightings from warblers to woodpeckers. Sections of this trail are groomed for skiing in the winter months.
Ethno-botanical Garden Trail
Difficulty: Easy, ADA accessible
Hiking Distance: 0.25 mile, loop
Hiking Time: 20 minutes
Winter Use: Snowshoe
Step back in time and visit a native plant garden and Ojibwe Indian camp. Learn about native and exotive flora and their mark on the park. The garden reflects the seasonal plants and the role they play in the life of the native peoples here.
Kab-Ash Trail entirety (PDF)
Kab-Ash Trail Meadwood Road loops (PDF)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 27.9 mile system
Hiking Time: Days
Winter Use: Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski
This trail connects the Kabetogama and Ash River communities. Travel through backcountry forests and wetlands on this extensive system of interconnected trails. Four trailheads make it possible to hike sections of this trail or the whole trail for an in depth view of the park.
Oberholtzer Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 1.7 miles
Hiking Time: 45 minutes, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe
Travel from just outside the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to two overlooks to see the diversity of forest and wetland types in the park. This trail is wheelchair accessible for the first 1/4 mile. Pets are no long allowed on this trail.
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail
Difficulty: Easy, ADA accessible
Hiking Distance: 1.75 miles
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe
This trail offers visitors a wonderful experience as it meanders along the park road, into the woods, and around rock outcrops. Bicyclists, walkers, runners, and snowshoers will be treated to views of forest, lake, and marsh scenery.
Sullivan Bay Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 1.5 miles, round trip
Hiking Time: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe
An easy hike on an old converted road which is mostly flat with one small hill toward the end of the trail with a rewarding view of Sullivan Bay at the end.
Voyageurs' Tilson Connector Ski Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Skiing Distance: 1 mile, one-way
Skiing Time: 20 minutes
Summer Use: Not maintained
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages this ten mile network of interconnected ski trails. Several routes are possible, ranging from short loops to longer excursions. You can access this system from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center area on the park's Tilson Connector Trail.
OVERLOOKS
Beaver Pond Overlook (PDF)
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 0.2 mile, one way
Hiking Time: 30 minutes
Winter Use: Snowshoe
This is the second trailhead on your left as you are driving to the Ash River Visitor Center. A short uphill hike leads to a rocky terrace high above a beaver pond. Although beavers are no longer active at this pond, this trail provides great birding opportunities, and the possibility of spotting large wildlife.
Kabetogama Lake Overlook
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 0.2 mile one way
Hiking Time: 20 minutes
Winter Use: Not maintained
The entrance to this short trail is the first pullout on your right as you are driving to the Ash River Visitor Center, just after turning off County Road 129. A picnic table and restroom are located at the trailhead, making this a good spot to get out of your car and stretch your legs.
