Minnesota: Paul Bunyan and Heartland State Bicycle Paths Bicycle Tour 2025

You start your vacation in Bemidji, Minnesota. What are the most fun things to see in Bemidji, Minnesota? Lets start with Paul Bunyan and his faithful companion, Babe, the blue ox. Visit the city park, see Paul & Babe and then take in the views from the park overlooking Lake Bemidji. Though Lake Memidji is 11 square miles, it still completely freezes over in the winter. After visiting Paul Bunyan Park visit the old downtown area with shops, restaurants and souvenir stores. Yes, you can even buy your very own Paul Bunyan Statue. Bemidji is also know for art and sculptures which can be seen throughout the downtown area. Then join us at the hotel at 4:00 pm for the Welcome meeting, followed by a wonderful dinner with friends - new and old - to begin our week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Paul Bunyan Trail (Crow Wing State Park to Pine River)

 

We begin our bike journey on the Paul Bunyan Trail paved bike path at Crow Wing State Park in Minnesota. This state park is one of the most popular in Minnesota. The entire park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The park is made up of prairie, pine and hardwood forests. There are also amazing views of the Mississippi River. People have been gathering in this area for ages, even before it was an official State Park. We will ride our bike from Crow Wing State Park to Pine River, riding by and viewing many of the areas pristine lakes. In fact, the Pine River area boasts over 400 lakes within thirty miles! You get to take in all the beauty from behind your handlebars ending in the area know as Hidden Gem of central Minnesota – Pine River!

Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.

Bicycling Route:  On the paved Paul Bunyan Trail; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 43 miles riding from Crow Wing State Park to the Visitor Center in Pine River. [The route is is basically flat.]

 

Dinner:

 

 

Mi Rancho

Bemidji, Minnesota

 

Entrée Choices include:

• Fajitas - Chicken, Steak, 50/50, Shrimp or Latin Stir-Fry
• Pollo Con Queso Blanco -Grilled chicken breast, bacon-wrapped shrimp, rice, beans, guacamole, drizzled sour cream and pico de Gallo
• Hilda's Tacos - Steak or Chicken. Flour tortilla, melted cheese, grilled onions, poblano peppers, bean soup, rice and avocado salad 
• Mi Rancho Salad - Spring mix, avocado slices, black beans, corn, cucumber, tomato, shredded cheese, bacon bits and tortilla strips. Plain or with Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken or Steak.

Day 3, Monday

 

 

 

• Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. The routes are 99% on bike paths. Please see the daily routes descriptions for additional information. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the end of the ride. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast or anything in-between.  

• Drive to the starting hotel: Hampton Inn Bemidji, 1019 Paul Bunyan Drive South, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601

​Arriving by Plane:

• Fly directly into Bemidji Regional Airport (RAP) and take the hotel shuttle to the hotel or fly into Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport and rent a car for the 3 hr, 49 minute drive to the hotel. Some people may choose to fly into Fargo, South Dakota (FAR) for the 2 hr 21 minute drive to hotel or to Duluth, Minnesota (DLH) for the 2 hr 36 minute drive to the hotel.

• $200 to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.

• Hotel lodging 
• Ride Packets with Cue Sheets (directions)
• Garmin/GPS routes to download 
• Google Maps routes for your iPhone or Android Phone
• Fully sagged including van transportation and rider assistance.
• Breakfast each morning
• Happy Hours (BYOB) on selected evenings
• Dinner with the group three evenings (see above)
• Great riding, scenery, fun and enjoyment!

• Most participants bring their own bicycles
• To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. To ship your bike to the hotel: Hampton Inn Bemidji, 1019 Paul Bunyan Drive South, Bemidji, Minnesota, 56601
• If you fly, many major airlines including now waive the oversize fee for bicycles (sporting equipment) and just the standard luggage fee applies. Please contact your airline for all the details.
• Bike Rental: Bikes are available for rent in the Bemidji area. We suggest conducting a Google search to find the best place to accommodate your needs.

• Average High: 71°