In April, 2022, the City of Duluth Parks & Recreation Department announced that all natural surface trails had been temporarily closed.

This happens every year around that time because if used on foot or by bike, the wet soil conditions would would lead to significant damage of these critical assets. While the trails need to be close, the City always reminds outdoor enthusiasts that they will reopen again once surface conditions improve.

Good news arrived recently when Duluth Parks & Recreation announced that many natural surface trails have officially reopened. These trails officially became open to the public at noon on Saturday, May 14.

The trails that are now open include:

  • Superior Hiking Trail- all except the Hartley Park, Kingsbury, and Mission Creek segments.
  • Morningside / Hawk Ridge DT
  • Chester Park / West Chester DT
  • Enger / Observation Hill / Antenna Farm DT
  • Craft Connector Trail
  • Lincoln Park
  • Quarry Park / Bellevue Park
  • Kissing Booth Trail
  • Keene DT
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City staff ask trail users to observe proper trail etiquette and stewardship by respecting individual trail closures and avoiding any wet/muddy trails. Anyone who notices that they are leaving a footprint or bicycle tire imprint on a trail should turn around to reduce the potential for additional trail damage.

Also, if anyone encounters a wet/muddy spot in an otherwise completely dry trail, it is best to go through the wet, or muddy place to prevent widening of the path. They add that trails will close after a rainfall event and typically take 24 hours to dry and reopen afterward.

The following Duluth natural surface trails currently remain closed to the public:

  • Superior Hiking Trail- Hartley Park, Kingsbury, and Mission Creek segments
  • Lester Park
  • Hartley Park
  • Piedmont Trails
  • Brewer Park
  • Kingsbury DT
  • Mission Creek

The City will again notify the public when the conditions of those trails improves to the point where they can reopen to the public.

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