Mesabi Trail Use, Rules & Regulations
The Mesabi Trail offers diverse scenery and terrain for biking, hiking, and in some areas, snowmobiling. Each trail segment provides a unique experience—varying elevation, smooth riding surfaces, friendly communities, and abundant wildlife.
Please follow all Mesabi Trail rules, regulations, and policies for your applicable use, as well as standard trail etiquette. Also, remember that being in the wilderness requires caution—do not approach wildlife and stay close to the trail.
Trail Uses
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Biking
Biking Laws & Regulations
- Purchase a Mesabi Trail Wheel Pass. A Wheel Pass is required for anyone ages 18+ who uses wheels (i.e., bikes, skateboards, in-line skates) on the trail. Mobility assistive devices are exempt.
- Obey all trail, road and traffic laws.
- Keep to the right. Ride with traffic, as close to the right side of the road as practical. Watch for grates, opening car doors and soft shoulders. Don’t weave between parked cars.
- Obey the right-of-way rules. Yield to pedestrians. When entering a roadway from some place other than an intersection, yield the right of way to all approaching vehicles. Even if you have the right-of-way, be prepared to yield if necessary.
- Use hand signals. Signaling your intentions is essential to let other drivers on the roadway know what you intend to do. Give a hand signal well enough before turning to prepare other drivers of your intent, unless hand is needed to control the bicycle.
- Avoid following too closely. Never hitch a ride on another vehicle. Avoid tailgating or drafting other bicycles or vehicles. Avoid getting behind or between large vehicles like buses or trucks.
- Be prepared when riding at night. Ride after dark only if your bike has a headlight, taillight, and reflectors required by law. Wear light colored clothing or reflective coverings. Allow plenty of time for travel and watch for unlit roads, potholes and other night time hazards.
- Wear a helmet. Helmet use will reduce serious injuries to the head. A helmet will keep your head dry in rain or snow. Other road users will recognize you as a safety minded driver. Wearing a helmet makes you more visible.
Biking Trail Tips / Checklist
For bicyclist:
- sunscreen lotion
- insect repellent
- rain or wind jacket
- protective eye-wear
- helmet
- gloves
For bicycle:
- flat-tire repair kit (customized to work on your bike)
- spare tube
- patches and glue
- tire irons pump (one that fits the valves on both types of tubes)
- tools (at least a screwdriver, adjustable wrench, hex wrenches to fit)
- 8-9-10mm ‘Y’ wrench (bolts on brakes, derailleurs)
- Allen wrenches (4,5,6mm to fit stem, derailleurs, brakes)
- specific tools to handle specific problems such as spoke wrench or freewheel tool. (Depending on length of ride, condition of bike and access to service) spray lubricant for chains or squeaky/rusty parts, such as Tri-flow, WD-40, Dri-Slide. Refer to your local bike shop or favorite repair book for more ideas or suggestions.
First-Aid Kit:
Purchase a kit which will fit easily in your pack or organize your own. Include:
- Band-Aids
- Gauze
- Tape
- Over-the-counter pain relief medication
- Antiseptic salve
Need ideas for your cycling adventure or not sure where to go? Check out our Ride with GPS routes (these include GPS navigation).
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Hiking
Hiking Trail Tips / Checklist
- For a short stroll: Water, sunscreen, and a light jacket
- Brisk walk: Water, Sunscreen, jacket, and a light snack
- Day hikes:Water, sunscreen, jacket, lunch, map, flashlight, matches, some coins for telephone calls where telephone is available.
- Extended overnight hikes:
This type of backpacking takes more experience and preparation. Follow guidelines for camping such as preparation for sleeping and cooking. Always be sure to tell someone where you are going and how long you plan to be gone. Consider your shoes and the distance you’re going to travel.
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Snowmobiling
Certain sections of the Mesabi Trail allow snowmobile use. The following sections are posted NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES – EXCEPT SNOWMOBILES:
- Grand Rapids to Prairie River Bridge
- Coleraine to connection of Taconite Trail
- Hibbing to Buhl
The rest of the trail is posted NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES and snowmobiling is not allowed. Any further information you may need please contact the Mesabi Trail offices directly at (218) 744-1388 or (877) 637-2241.
Trail Policies
Please obey the following policies and practice safe, courteous trail etiquette. These “Rules of the Road” are for your security and enjoyment on the Mesabi Trail. These policies are excerpts from the Trail Ordinance, violations of which are considered petty misdemeanors. If you witness any infractions contact 911.
- A Mesabi Trail Wheel Pass is required for persons aged 18 years and older using wheels on the Trail or in the corridor, such as bikes or inline skates. Hikers, joggers, walkers, and people with disabilities are not required to purchase a pass.
- The Mesabi Trail is a non-motorized trail, except in winter, when snowmobiles are allowed within the Trail corridor only where designated. ATVs are not allowed within the trail corridor at any time – except crossing the Tom Rukavina Memorial Bridge in Virginia or Wolf Creek.
- Electric assist (E-bikes) are allowed on the Trail.
- The Trail corridor is defined as any land or water area and all facilities thereon within the right-of-way of the trail designated as the Mesabi Trail.
- Operate bicycles, inline skates, skateboards, strollers, wheelchairs, motorized mobility devices on the right-hand side of bikeways and roadways. Non-motorized vehicles and motorized wheelchairs shall not exceed 36 inches in width.
- Deposit litter or waste in receptacles or dumping stations.
- Pets must be leashed – Keep them on a leash no longer than six feet in length.
- Holes or trenches may not be dug within the Trail corridor.
- Signs or advertisements shall not be placed within the Trail corridor.
- Start fires only in officially designated fire rings, stoves or grills. Do not leave a fire unattended and be sure the fire is extinguished before leaving the area.
- Loaded weapons are not allowed within the Trail corridor nor can any missile or other projectile be discharged from a weapon upon, over, or across the Trail corridor.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed within the Trail corridor.
- Do not remove, alter, injure or destroy any tree, plant, rock, soil or mineral.
- Camping is allowed only in designated areas, there are a number of private & public campgrounds along the Trail.
- Horseback riding is allowed on all sections of the Trail.
- Please follow basic “Rules of the Trail” at all times – keep to the right, announce yourself when approaching another trail user, use proper hand signals, and wear a helmet.
We are confident these guidelines, when respected by all, will ensure you a safe, enjoyable time on the Mesabi Trail. Have fun! If you have questions, please contact us at Mesabi Station, 218-744-1388 or 877-637-2241.
Trail Ordinances
SECTION 1.
Purpose: The purpose of this Ordinance, which is enacted pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 375.51, is to secure the quiet, orderly, and suitable use and enjoyment by the public of the Mesabi Trail Corridor.
SECTION 2.
Definitions:
- Authority – The elected members of the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority or the Itasca County Railroad Authority.
- Trail Corridor – Any land or water area and all facilities thereon within the right-of-way of that certain trail designated as the Mesabi Trail.
- Motor Vehicle – As defined in Minn. Stat. Sec. 169A.03, subd. 3. “Motor vehicle” includes every vehicle which is self-propelled but does not include a vehicle moved solely by human power.
- Off-Road Recreational Vehicle – An off-highway motorcycle as defined in Minn. Stat. Sec. 84.787, subd. 7; off-road vehicle as defined in Minn. Stat. Sec. 84.797, subd. 7; snowmobile as defined in Sec. 84.81, subd. 3; and all-terrain vehicle as defined in Minn. Stat. Sec. 84.92, subd. 8.
- Non-Motorized Vehicle – Any human powered mechanical device used for transportation.
- Weapon – Any device, including, but not limited to, firearms, bows, slings, and spring guns, from which a shot or projectile of any type can be discharged or propelled by means of an explosive gas, compressed air, or other means.
- Natural Resources – All flora and fauna within the Trail corridor and the physical factors upon which they depend including the air, water, soil, and minerals.
- Pollutant – Any substance, liquid, gas or solid, which could cause contamination of any air, land, or water so as to create or cause a nuisance or render unclean or noxious or impure so as to be actually or potentially harmful or detrimental or injurious to public health, safety, welfare or to wildlife.
- Pet – Any animal that is tamed and domesticated and kept as a companion.
SECTION 3.
General Conduct Within the Trail System:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
- Serve, possess, or consume any alcoholic beverage or beer within or upon the Trail Corridor unless authorized by written permit from a Ranger.
- Deposit, scatter, drop or abandon, in or on the Trail Corridor, bottles, cans, broken glass, hot coals, ashes, sewage, waste or other material, except in receptacles provided by the Authority for such purposes.
- Place any debris or other pollutant in or upon any body of water within the Trail Corridor.
- Start a fire in the Trail Corridor except in a an area officially designated by the Authority and then only in fire rings, portable stoves and grills, or to leave a fire unattended or fail to fully extinguish a fire or scatter or leave unattended lighted matches, burning tobacco, paper or other combustible material.
- Sell, solicit, advertise, including but not limited to placing or erecting any type of sign or advertisement, or conduct any commercial enterprise within the Trail Corridor unless authorized by resolution of the Authority.
- Discharge waste water or any other wastes on the Trail Corridor except into containers, drains or dumping stations provided by the Authority for such purpose.
- Dig trenches, holes or other excavations in the Trail Corridor without written authorization from a Ranger.
- Operate or permit the use or operation of any loud speaker, sound amplifier, or other device for the production or reproduction of sound within the Trail Corridor for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public to any commercial establishment.
- Bring or allow a pet within the Trail Corridor, except on a leash not to exceed six feet in length.
- Leave the Trail Corridor and enter on private property without permission of the landowner.
- It shall be unlawful for a person to violate any provision of a use permit granted by a Ranger.
- It shall be unlawful for a person to use, without payment, any facility or area within the Trail Corridor for which a fee or charge has been established by resolution of the Authority.
SECTION 4.
Protection of Natural Resources Within the Trail System:
It shall be unlawful for a person to:
- Intentionally remove, alter, injure, or destroy any tree, other plant, rock, soil or mineral within the Trail Corridor.
- Kill, trap, hunt or harass, any species of wildlife within the Trail Corridor.
- Discharge any missile or other projectile from a weapon upon, over or across the Trail Corridor.
- Posses any loaded weapon within the Trail Corridor.
- Release or abandon within the Trail Corridor any animal or introduce any plant, chemical or other agent without written authorization from a Ranger.
SECTION 5.
No Camping:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
- Camp within the Trail Corridor except in areas provided and designated for that purpose by the Authority.
SECTION 6.
Horseback Riding:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
- Ride, lead or allow a horse within the Trail Corridor, except where designated by resolution of the Authority.
SECTION 7.
Non Motorized Vehicle:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
- Operate a bicycle on any area of the Trail Corridor except on bikeways and roadways. Bicycles shall be operated as close to the right hand side of the bikeways and roadways as conditions will permit.
- Operate or control roller blades, carts, wagons, strollers, wheelchairs and other wheeled conveyances on any area of the Trail Corridor except on bikeways and roadways. Wheeled conveyances shall be operated as close to the right hand side of the bikeways and roadways as conditions permit.
- Operate or possess a Non-Motorized Vehicle exceeding thirty-six (36) inches in total width within the Trail Corridor.
SECTION 8.
Motor Vehicles:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
- Operate a Motor Vehicle or Off-Road Recreational Vehicle within the Trail Corridor except where designated and authorized by resolution of the Authority.
- To park or leave a motor vehicle within the Trail Corridor except snowmobiles where authorized by resolution of the Authority.
SECTION 9.
Motorized Wheelchairs: Are allowed for use within the Trail Corridor by those persons with a disability requiring the use of a wheelchair. Motorized wheelchairs shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in width and shall be operated as close to the right hand side of the bikeways and roadways as conditions will permit.
SECTION 10.
Meetings, Speeches, Demonstrations, and Parades:
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to conduct public meetings, assemblies, parades or gatherings on the Trail which would in any way interfere with or obstruct travel in the Trail Corridor, except with a written permit from a Ranger.
SECTION 11.
Operations and Enforcement:
- Licensed peace officers are authorized to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance. Rangers shall, in connection with their duties imposed herein, diligently enforce the provisions of this Ordinance, and may, in addition to any authority imposed by statute, issue citations and eject from the Trail Corridor persons acting in violation of this Ordinance.
- Any part of the Trail Corridor may be declared closed to the public or to certain uses at any time, as the Authority or Ranger shall find reasonably necessary.
- A Ranger shall have the authority to revoke for good cause any permit. Any permit or reservation may be revoked upon the violation by the permittee of any ordinance, rule or regulation of the Trail.
- Nothing in this Ordinance shall prevent employees or agents of the Authority from performing their assigned duties.
- If any provision of the Ordinance is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Ordinance.
- The Authority shall have the right to issue rules and regulations to enhance or supplement these Ordinances.
SECTION 12.
A person guilty of violating any provision of the Ordinance shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor punished as that term is defined by Minn. Stat. 609.02, subd. 4a, or as hereafter amended.
SECTION 13.
Effective Date:
This Ordinance shall be effective upon passage by the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority, the Itasca County Railroad Authority, the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners and the Itasca County Board of Commissioners.
