Park Forest, Potlatch, and Hilton Trails

Park Forest, Potlatch, and Hilton Trails offer a scenic and moderately easy 14-mile out-and-back journey through the dense woods of Nemadji State Forest, perfect for riders seeking a mix of winding dirt paths and mud-splattered fun. The adventure begins along the Park Forest Trail and transitions into the Potlatch Trail, a primarily dirt-surfaced route known for its rolling terrain and multiple standing water crossings that expand significantly after heavy rains. High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs, dirt bikes, and SxSs will find plenty of enjoyment traversing this flat but engaging corridor, which sits between 1,193 and 1,325 feet of elevation with a gentle 134-foot cumulative climb. A unique highlight of this route is the historic Nemadji Hilton, a popular trailside shelter and local gathering spot that provides an ideal place to rest and swap stories. Along the way, the Potlatch Trail overlaps with the Mathew Lourey State Trail, where motorized multi-use traffic is permitted, allowing full-sized four-wheel-drive vehicles to share the corridor with smaller off-road rigs. The final third of the run transitions into the local favorite Hilton Trail, delivering a classic Northern Minnesota forest experience before riders turn around to retrace their path back to the starting point near the Gandy Dancer Trail.