70-Mile Trail

This project includes the development of an extensive, first-rate ATV/OHV trail in Aitkin and Itasca Counties, Minnesota.  The trail is designed to be environmentally sensitive, economically beneficial, and community supported.

The Aitkin-Itasca 70-Mile ATV/OHV Trail Project will:

• Focus the increasing ATV user base on an existing extensive (420+ miles) and meaningful (popular destinations) trail system within 2 hours of the Twin Cities.  This should reduce potential negative impacts on natural resources, often caused by unregulated cross-country travel, by providing a well advertised "place to go" and by linking trail segments in environmentally sensitive ways.
• Connect major recreation destinations (from the Mille Lacs area, through McGregor and the Big Sandy Lake areas, and on to the Grand Rapids area) via an ATV trail to promote tourism and its associated economic impacts.
• Revitalize local communities along and near the trail system.  These communities benefit economically from seasonal snowmobile use; expanding a similar clientele (ATV users) to a larger segment of the year could have significant benefits to these small communities.

The project is directed by the 70-Mile Trail Oversight Committee with 19 members representing diverse interests and experiences from throughout the project area. Dovetail Partners and Applied Ecological Services are contracted to assist the Committee with project coordination.  Committee Meetings are open to the public.  Any questions or comments about the project can be directed to Katie Fernholz at Dovetail Partners, email or phone: 612-333-0430.

Committee Meetings

Project Resources and Information

GIS Plan (pdf)

Information about the data sources to be used and evaluation process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Sheet (pdf)

Project background, planning process, and other information

Red Top ATV Loop Trail Survey Final Report (pdf)

In January 2008, the Oversight Committee for the 70-Mile Trail Project in Aitkin and Itasca
Counties, Minnesota conducted a survey with the objective of gaining information related to the
perceived noise impacts of ATV trails.

DRAFT “70 Mile Trail” All-Terrain Vehicle/Off Highway Motorcycle Monitoring, Maintenance, and Enforcement Plan (pdf)

This ATV/OHM trail monitoring, maintenance, and enforcement plan is being developed to guide monitoring general trail conditions, determining relative amounts of use and use patterns, determining impacts to the environment, establishing trail maintenance procedures, and monitoring adherence to state laws and county ordinances regarding ATV and OHM use.  

Summary of Public Comments and Committee Responses (pdf) Approved by the Committee 1/29/08

Aitkin-Itasca 70-Mile OHV Trail EAW (pdf), EQB Publication date August 11, 2008 (deadline for public comments September 10, 2008)

General Project Map
jpg (3.4 MB)
pdf (405 kb)

Project Poster (pdf)
General Information about the project and contact information.

Project Comment Form (doc) Form for submiting comments on the project. Comments can also be submitted via email to: info@dovetailinc.org.


Quarterly Progress Reports

January 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

April 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

July 2008 (pdf)

Information about the project, work to date and next steps.

General Information and News

Links and Resources

Information about trail design, recreational managment, and regulations.

Kick-Off Meetings Held for 70-Mile Trail Project
Aitkin, MN (12/4/07) – More than 150 people attended two kick-off meetings for the 70-Mile Trail project. The project includes approximately 70 miles of new ATV/OHM recreational trail segments to be located in Aitkin and Itasca Counties. The project was proposed by the Land Departments in Aitkin and Itasca Counties and is supported with state funding through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Read more...


Recreational Trail Planned for Aitkin and Itasca Counties
Aitkin, MN – (11/1/07) Approximately 70 miles of new recreational trail segments are being planned in North-Central Minnesota.   The plan is for the new segments to link existing trails and create a system that totals nearly 500 miles.
Read more...