The public comment phase is now open for the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) on the proposed extension to the over 3,000 mile North Country Trail (NCT). The new 25.6 mile section proposes eight primitive campsites for backpackers hiking the trail and parking for day hikers and overnight backpackers.

The NCT was designated in 1980 as a National Scenic trail which will eventually stretch across seven states from New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota. At that point it will connect to the Louis and Clark Trail.


In Minnesota the NCT already uses the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), the Kekekabic Trail and the Border Route Trail. When completed it will run up the North Shore from Jay Cooke State Park to Two Harbors where it will use the SHT until it hits the Border Route Trail. Then it uses the Kekekabic Trail which runs almost all the way to Ely, MN.





Backpackers on the Kekekabic portion of the NCT.


Link to PDF map of entire proposed route in Minnesota.



"The North Country Trail Association proposes to build 25.6 miles of new trail and designate 19.3 miles of existing trail and rural road-walk as an extension of the North Country National Scenic Trail (a non-motorized footpath).


This section of the trail would begin about six miles west-northwest of Ponsford, Minnesota, in east-central Becker County, and terminate at the city limits of Frazee. The trail would connect to a previously designated section of the North Country National Scenic Trail at its northern end and traverses southward, mostly through forested habitat on public and private lands."



The public comments phase for the proposal is from July 26 to Aug. 25.

For the EAW and Maps visit this page on the DNR website.


For the DNR news release visit this page on the DNR website.