Home › Minnesota › Laporte › Paul Bunyan State Forest
Paul Bunyan State Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 328 Google reviews · Running trail in Laporte, Minnesota · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Paul Bunyan State Forest yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Nature preserve offering forests, trails, lakes, and snowmobiling, plus hunting and camping.
What runners say about Paul Bunyan State Forest
“But nonetheless, beautiful scenery and we did spot bear tracks, so got to be a little more aware.”
This is not the headwaters of the Mississippi River like some reveiws suggest! Enjoy this park in all seasons as each has its own unique beauty & animal activity, make sure you have a current paper map & plenty of daylight to explore! Lots of snowmobiling, bicycle & hiking trails.
North country trail goes through and there are a lot of nice small likes to hike around. A great place to see beaver porcupine and other critters
Lovely, quiet forest with accessibility for ATVs, dirt bikes, and dirt roads for highway vehicles. Hiking trails including NCT. Several free camp sites, some with latrines and others with just a firepit. City folk please be aware that you won't have perfect internet / cell signal out here, and there will be bugs.
Martineau Recreational Trails in Paul Bunyan State Forest offer excellent Class I & II ATV trails, plus many miles of forest roads for OHVs, and a bonus of over 90 miles of OHM trails. Be warned that the OHM only trails are for experienced motorcycle riders due to the high level of difficulty in some areas.
Trail conditions & character
“But nonetheless, beautiful scenery and we did spot bear tracks, so got to be a little more aware.”
Plan your run at Paul Bunyan State Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Websitednr.state.mn.us
- Phone+1 651-296-6157
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Laporte
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Fern Lake Trail
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews
Mississippi Headwaters State Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 401 reviews
8,500 acres of public forestland & 95 lakes & ponds for hiking, boating & swimming.
Diamond Point Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 448 reviews
Green space on Lake Bemidji with picnic areas & walking paths, plus a playground & boat launch.
Bemidji City Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 215 reviews
Large park featuring a softball complex & disc golf, plus cross-country ski trails & ice rinks.
North country park
4.7 ★★★★★ 22 reviews
Buena Vista State Forest
4.5 ★★★★★ 228 reviews
Large natural area with lake access, campsites & trails, plus space for winter activities & hunting.