Minnesota DNR Announces Emergency Long-Term Closure Of Popular State Trail

The Minnesota DNR's Parks and Trails Division alerted the public this week to a long-term closure of a popular part of a state trail in Northern Minnesota.

A portion of the Willard Munger State Trail between Duluth and Jay Cooke State Park was closed on July 16 for what is expected to be most of, if not all of the rest of 2025 as crews respond to the need for some emergency work to be done.

What work is being done on the Willard Munger State Trail?

The Minnesota DNR reports that this year's recent heavy rainfall has caused some "severe" soil erosion around a culvert located at a trout stream tributary to Mission Creek. You can see some of the erosion right along the side of the trail in the images above.

The culvert is part of the original infrastructure from nearly 150 years ago, when the trail was a railroad line into Duluth.

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In the years since the railroad bed was converted into a state trail, the DNR has identified this culvert as one that needed to be replaced, but recent heavy rain has accelerated the erosion around the culvert. This has led to a much more immediate need to replace the culvert.

Where is this Munger Trail work being done?

The DNR's Parks and Trails website explains that the portion of the trail closed for work is a mile east of Stenman Road, and two and a half miles west of the parking area at 11804 123rd Ave W. in Duluth.

This work area is right on the county line between St. Louis and Carlton County, just through the woods from where the Buffalo House about halfway between Morgan Park and Jay Cooke State Park.

You can still use the trail from both directions up to the closure, but you'll have to turn around at the closure, so don't plan any through-trips between Duluth and Jay Cooke along the trail, as there is no designated detour.

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The DNR asks that you stay out of the closed area and don't cross any barricades, not only for your safety, but also to allow the crews to work uninterrupted on this project as quickly as possible.

When will the Munger Trail culvert work be complete?

The Minnesota DNR's social media post says the work is expected to be completed "later this winter."

On the DNR's Munger Trail website, they suggest the trail will be closed for work until November 2025. 

This is all contingent on how quickly crews can complete the work.