76th Avenue Northeast / East Lake Rice Spur

Trail Overview

The first half of this trail begins at State Highway 200 and follows a long, wide gravel road that is generally well-maintained but noticeably corrugated in places. It travels through open farmland and passes several homesteads, with frequent local traffic along this stretch. Drivers should remain cautious, particularly around corners and when approaching oncoming vehicles. The road is dusty during dry weather and largely open, offering limited shade. As the trail progresses into its second half, it narrows and becomes more enclosed, following the path of a creek toward the Big Rice State Wildlife Management Area. This portion of the route feels more remote, with fewer signs of development and an increase in natural scenery. Camping and hunting are permitted within the wildlife area, but only with the appropriate permits. While there are two clearings that could potentially serve as camping spots, both are overgrown and unlikely to offer a comfortable experience. A narrow bridge spans the creek along this section of the trail, so be prepared for limited visibility and the possibility of encountering both traffic and local wildlife, including foxes.

Photos of 76th Avenue Northeast / East Lake Rice Spur

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Difficulty

This trail is well-maintained and regularly used by OHV users, so be cautious of other off-roaders and adventurers.

History

Covering more than 1.6 million acres of glacial lakes, red-pine uplands, and sphagnum bogs, Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest lets motorists experience the North Woods at an unrushed pace. Paved state highways soon yield to a lattice of numbered forest roads, most of them well-graded gravel that thread between kettle ponds and stands of towering white pine, the tree that helped earn the forest its 1908 designation as one of America's first national forests. The forest harbors one of the highest breeding densities of bald eagles in the continental United States, and patient drivers often glimpse loons, black bears, and white-tailed deer as they move from shoreline to clear-cut regrowth and back again.

Technical Rating

76th Avenue Northeast / East Lake Rice Spur can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV