Minnesota · Hiking

Pine Lake Loop Trail

5.6 mi
round trip
703 ft
climb
1,531 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Pine Lake Loop Trail is a 5.6-mile moderate hike on Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in northern Minnesota, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The trail is an out-and-back route that covers about 11 miles round trip, with a total elevation gain of 106 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.17 miles from the start, where the grade reaches 8 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 79°F with lows near 59°F, while January highs average just 18°F. The Tamarac Lake Loop Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Old Indian Trail is about 1.2 miles off. Farther out, the North Country National Scenic Trail passes within about 2.7 miles, and the Discovery Center Trail is about 2.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Pine Lake Loop Trail

    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.

    1. Jan

      18° / -4°

    2. Feb

      23° / -1°

    3. Mar

      37° / 16°

    4. Apr

      52° / 30°

    5. May

      66° / 44°

    6. Jun

      75° / 55°

    7. Jul

      79° / 59°

    8. Aug

      78° / 57°

    9. Sep

      70° / 48°

    10. Oct

      54° / 35°

    11. Nov

      39° / 21°

    12. Dec

      24° / 6°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tamarac Wildlife Re, MN, 2.6 mi away at 1,508 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.