| Casinos |
| Northern Lights Casino |
6800 Y Frontage Road
Walker, MN 56484
1-877-544-4879 |
| The Palace Casino & Hotel |
Cass Lake, MN
1-800-228-6676 |
| White Oak Casino |
Deer River, MN
(218) 246-9600 |
| National & State Forests |
| Chippewa National Forest |
200 Ash Avenue
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-8600 (218) 335-8632
Walker District mailing address
HCR 73, Box 15
Walker, MN 56484
Walker District phone
(218) 547-1004
Hours: Year round. Headquarters: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F | Free admission.
Established in 1908, the Chippewa National Forest was the first National Forest established east of the Mississippi, and originally was known as the Minnesota National Forest. The Forest offers a wide array of resources for all, as well as the opportunity to observe a working forest. Recreation developments, wildlife habitat projects and timber harvesting all are evident. Visitors interested in historic sites may wish to travel to Camp Rabideau, the only standing Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the country. Wildlife enthusiasts can scan the sky for the abundant bald eagles; others can revel in the color and sound of American Indian art and music. Open year-round, the forest has many camping areas and access to a variety of resort communities. |
| Itasca State Park |
HC05 Box 4
Lake Itasca, MN 56460
218-266-2100 800-246-2267
Campground Reservations
Fax: (218) 266-3942
Open Year-Round | Entry Fee Charged
Walk across the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Stand under towering pines at Preacher's Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann's Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by.
Lake Itasca, off State Route 71, is famous as the birthplace of the Mississippi River and for the wild rice that grows along its shores.
The 32,000-acre state park embraces several lakes with outstanding boating and fishing, and a wilderness sanctuary. A natural history museum contains excellent wildlife displays.
There are extensive foot trails in the park, the most spectacular leading to Bohall Lake. Twenty-seven varieties of orchids grow along the forest path. There is one bike trail, which dips into an ancient stand of Norway and white pines.
The paved path on the western edge of the park reaches around a 2,000-acre wilderness area past lakes, towering pine groves and an ancient bison kill site.
Most overnight visitors to the park camp out at Pine Ridge and Bear Paw Campground, Lake Itasca State Park
www.dnr.state.mn.us/itasca |
| Leech Lake Area Parks |
Chippewa National Forest / Walker Ranger District
201 Minnesota Ave. E
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1044 |
| Deep Portage |
2197 Nature Center Drive N.W.
Hackensack, MN 56452
(218) 682-2325
www.deep-portage.org |
| Paul Bunyan State Forest |
| Deep-Portage Conservation Reserve |
2197 Nature Center Dr.
Hackensack, MN 564522431
(218) 682-2325
Hours: Year round. Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun. Noon-4:30 p.m.
Rates: Call for admission fee. Free parking.
Approximately 6,300 acres of forest with self-guided nature trails through a wildflower garden, forest and bog; hiking, ski and snowmobile trails; interpretive center with displays. Programs on Saturdays. Programs offered for groups interested in outdoor and environmental activities. Summer Camps offered for youth interested in outdoor experiences and conservation. email:portage@uslink.net |
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| Golf |
| Long Bow Golf Club |
Located 6 miles North on Hwy. 371
P.O. Box 1027
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4121(877)
881-GOLF (4653) |
| Tianna Country Club |
P.O. Box 177
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1712
1-866-482-2465
www.tianna.com
tianna@tianna.com |
| Wedgewood Golf Course & Driving Range |
PO Box 1606
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-2666 |
| Museums |
| Cass County & Walker Museum Historical Societies |
Hwy. 200 & 371 Box 505
Walker, MN 564840505
(218) 547-7251
Hours: Memorial Day thru Labor Day, Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rates: Family $6; adults $3; children $1; includes admission to the Walker Museum of Natural History.
Cass County history, historic schoolhouse, research library, Walker museum portrays animals in their natural habitat, replica of an American Indian village, Ojibwe and Dakota bead work. |
| Sugar Point Battle Monument |
Eight miles southwest of the village of Federal Dam
Boy Bay, east side of Leech Lake
Site of the generally overlooked last Indian battle. In October, 1898 a group of 19 Pillagers stood off and defeated 100 troopers sent north from Fort Snelling. It was not a stereotypical Hollywood battle. Because of its location, some of the conflict involved unusual scenes such as exchanges of gunfire between Natives on shore and troops aboard a pair of steamers and one barge that had come all the way from Walker across Big Leech Lake. |
| Cass Co. Museum/Hist. Society, Pioneer School, & Wildlife/Indian Arts Museum |
Box 505 201 Minnesota Ave. W.
(218) 547-7251
Walker, MN 56484 |
| Recreation |
| Shingobee Recreation |
Area Hwy. 34, six miles southwest of Walker
Chippewa National Forest, Walker District
mailing address: HCR 73, Box 15, Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1004
The Shingobee Recreation Area showcases a geologically unique region south of Leech Lake. Known locally as the area's "little Grand Canyon" (in the 1930's, it was home to one of Minnesota's first downhill ski areas), it is characterized by steep glacial moraine, virgin white and red pine forests, land faults, diverse plant and animal life, and marvelous collection of hiking trails and nature areas. The Shingobee River valley is believed to have been created by the cataclysmic collapse of the giant glacier that covered and created Leech Lake (Minnesota's third largest lake) 10,000 years ago. |
| Paul Bunyan State Recreation Trail |
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Splitting the north central part of the state in a 120-mile sprint between Brainerd and Bemidji along an old railroad embankment, the first paved portion of the Paul Bunyan Trail (now Minnesota's longest paved recreation trail) opened along a 50-mile stretch between Baxter and Hackensack in 1996. It offers hiking, biking or rollerblading along its beautiful corridor. And, in the winter, extraordinary snowmobiling.
The Paul Bunyan Trail makes for either an easy day's outing or a challenging weekend long trek, depending on your inclination, physical condition and type of equipment. Because of its railroad heritage, the trail's pathway is relatively flat and safely straight.
Every eight to ten miles along the way, expect to find a great northwoods community, offering up food, lodging, camping and intriguing shopping and, of course, juices, treats and the like.
The trail is closely paralleled by and regularly accessible to Hwy. 371, with its own very wide, paved shoulders. Many marathon bikers choose to cross back and forth at will between the two.
A favorite location is the unpaved portion (bring proper equipment if biking) north of Walker, along Leech Lake and the southern shore of Kabekona Bay to the hamlet of Benedict. There are spectacular views of lakeshores, river crossings and even a large blue heron rookery. |
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| Parks & Theatres |
| Moondance Ranch and Adventure Park |
Grain Bin Restaurant & Pub
P.O. Box 969
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1055
www.moondanceranch.com |
| Pine River Riding Stable |
530 County IE (218) 587-5807
Pine River, MN 56474 |
| Woodtick Theatre |
Main Street
Akeley, MN 56433 |
| Trails |
| Heartland Trail |
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Near Walker, the Heartland Trail is northern Minnesota's oldest paved trail and its most recently resurfaced. The 27-mile long Walker-to-Park Rapids segment reopened in the fall of 1997 with a fine, new blacktopped surface, making it again one of state's premier recreational trails all year long...including winters, when it attracts snowmobilers with its phenomenal rides.
The segment southwest of Walker is praised not only for its beautiful and rugged lakes and forest scenery, its frequent wildlife, and native flowers, but also for its accessibility to a maze of exceptional, interconnecting system of trails and recreation areas. Foremost among these is the Chippewa National Forest's Shingobee Recreation Area about six miles south of Walker, and just across Hwy. 34 from the Heartland Trail.
Between the Recreation Area and the City of Walker, the Heartland offers a beautiful chain of lakes, available for canoeing, and often accessible for a lakeside respite or picnic. The Heartland's (paved) trailhead is located just west of downtown Walker. Bike rentals are available about two blocks north of the trailhead on Co. Rd. 12.
The Heartland extends some 21 unpaved miles above Walker, splitting off from a highly scenic and also unpaved, portion of the Paul Bunyan Trail, before crossing the historic railroad trestle at very beautiful Kabekona Narrows on Leech Lake (about 4 miles above the city). The trail continues due north, skirting Leech Lake's Steamboat Bay, and crossing the beautiful bottomlands of the Steamboat River, before passing Steamboat Lake. |
| North Country National Scenic Trail |
Fortunately for Leech Lake Area visitors, the Cass County portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail is complete. The entire trail, when finished, will be a magnificent 3,200 mile long walking trail connecting the Lewis & Clark Trail in western North Dakota with the Appalachian Trail in upstate New York. It will be the longest continuous foot path in the United States. Here, though, it is ready to be enjoyed.
It enters Cass County from the west, traversing the Chippewa National Forest along its southern, and most scenic, boundary and intersecting Minnesota's Heartland Recreational Trail. It next passes through the National Forest's beautiful and unusual Shingobee Recreation Area, before meeting Minnesota's Paul Bunyan Recreation Trail on the other side. From there it wanders east across the county, along beautiful, pristine, wilderness lakes and wetlands, and through glorious, hundred year-old stands of white and red pine forest. |
| Lake Country Scenic Byway |
| Highway 34 southwest from Walker through Park Rapids and on to Detroit Lakes was recently added to the list of Minnesota Scenic Byways. The drive takes in the north woods lake country along the way, and a spur about midway leads to Itasca State Park. |
| Other Trails |
Soo Line Trail
Connected with the Paul Bunyan Trail, and also built along an abandoned rail corridor.
Mi-Ge-Zi Trail
Four miles of paved trails for non-motorized hiking and biking along the east edge of Cass Lake and Pike Bay.
Country Road 50 Walking Trail
Eight miles of walking along the Shingobee River Valley.
Cedar Bog Trail
Hike or bike through natural cedar bogs. Twelve miles of nature at its finest. Public access is through Moondance Campground, south shore of Leech Lake.
Lake Erin Interpretive Trail
A five-mile trail surrounding the lake after which it is named.
Oak Point Trail
At the north end of Leech Lake's Steamboat Bay, 12 miles of walking trails.
Stony Point Recreation Area Trail
Nine miles of looped forest road for biking and hiking in the Chippewa National Forest.
Shingobee Trail |
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