Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Mahnomen Trail

The Mahnomen Trail is a short easy exploration of an in progress Oak Savannah Restoration. The trail winds through patches of forest and out into prairie clearings. In summer there is a wealth of prairie blossoms, and in the fall the prairie grass turns brassy and gold against the brick red of the oak leaves. In winter it is your classic winter wonderland...

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This is a trail best walked in the early spring or late fall as there is a plethora of winged biting things. The Sherburne Wildlife Refuge is a place of beauty that can be explored both on foot and by car, and the Mahnomen Trail is a good place to start.

Approach

From the junction of Interstate Highways 169 and 10 south of Elk River Minnesota, head north on 169 14.8 miles to County Rd. 9.

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Take the County 9 exit, and at the top turn left and head west 5.1 miles to the Mahnomen Trail parking lot on your left.

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Coordinates for the hike: 45.4974740,-93.6851190

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Parking / Trailhead amenities

The parking lot is smooth and paved and has room for about 10 cars. There is a clean pit toilet and a map board with brochures and trail guides adjacent to the parking lot.

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Trail observations

The trail exits directly from the parking lot near the toilets. The trail is a nearly flat 3 mile loop. The trail is grassy and generally wide enough for two to walk side by side. This is a very easy hike, with plenty of benches and map signs at every junction.

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Trail statistics

The trail is 2.99 miles long. The sum of all the uphill climbs is 78 feet.

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Trail waypoints

0.01 mi	Parking	Parking lot
0.07 mi	Trailhead	Trailhead
0.08 mi	Go right	Branch - go right
0.27 mi	Bench	Bench
0.72 mi	Stay right	Branch - go right
0.96 mi	Bench	Bench
0.98 mi	Keep right	Branch - stay right
1.31 mi	Bench	Sign,Bench
1.61 mi	Lake bench	Bench overlooking lake
2.04 mi	Go straight	Intersection - go straight
2.09 mi	Stay right	Branch - stay right
2.13 mi	Trail to bench	Side trail to bench
2.25 mi	Go right	Branch - stay right
2.73 mi	Bench	Bench
2.99 mi	Trail end	Trail end