Paul Bunyan State Forest
- 24.5 mi
- round trip
- 3,296 ft
- climb
- 1,837 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Paul Bunyan State Forest in Minnesota is a long, steep out-and-back route of about 49 miles, with an elevation gain of 1,870 feet from the low point of 1,447 feet to a high of 1,837 feet. The trail is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources, and the climb is steady rather than broken into short stretches, with the steepest section at about 2.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 15%. The route is rated expert, and it is not a ride or a ride with pack animals. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from the nearby Walker weather station run around 79°F for the high and 59°F for the low, while winter highs there stay in the teens and 20s. Nearby options include the Walker townsite, which is about 15 miles away, and the Paul Bunyan State Forest visitor center, which offers a base for planning and supplies.
- Nearby · Lake Erin Hiking · Star Island Hiking Trail B · Goose Lake Hiking
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Paul Bunyan State Forest
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
19° / 1°
6 wet
Feb
25° / 4°
6 wet
Mar
38° / 18°
6 wet
Apr
52° / 31°
7 wet
May
66° / 44°
10 wet
Jun
75° / 55°
11 wet
Jul
79° / 59°
10 wet
Aug
77° / 57°
9 wet
Sep
68° / 49°
10 wet
Oct
53° / 36°
9 wet
Nov
37° / 22°
7 wet
Dec
25° / 8°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Walker, MN, 14.9 mi away at 1,430 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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