Rapid River Cross-Country Trail

Living or visiting Michigan is puptastic, and so is hiking at the Rapid River Cross Country Ski Trails!  Pack up your pup and head to the city of Maplewood for some quality time in the outdoors with your fur-ever friend. 

Located in the Hiawatha National Forest, you will be treated to 17.6-miles of trails which intermingle and create a system of trails to suit any fitness level pup. There are 5 different trails to choose from, all beginning at the same point. Pick up the trailheads on US 41, just 6 miles north of the intersection of US 2. 

These trails are maintained year-round and are groomed for cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. The shortest trail is just about 1-mile long and offers the easiest route for hikers. The others vary in length and connect to each other for a different experience every time you visit! If you hike every trail, taking the entire route of 17.6 miles, you will certainly have travelled through the most beautiful scenery. 

Each path is sand covered in this Upper Michigan Peninsula location as you will be walking on hard-packed sand dunes. The footing is wonderful on your pup’s paws, and lots of pine trees in this forest setting will be yours to enjoy along the way.

Hiawatha National Forest offers other amenities like camping and mountain biking, so be sure to plan a day to take advantage of those with your pawtastic pup! All the trails are pup-friendly, but be sure to clean up after Fido. There is no leash restriction here – just use good judgment and keep your pup close so others can pass and enjoy the trails as well.

Neither restrooms nor water are available here, so plan accordingly. You and your pup will have a great time together hiking at the Rapid River Cross Country Trails.