Lake Wobegon® Trail
Welcome to The Lake Wobegon Trail website! The Lake Wobegon Trail is
a 46 mile long, 10 foot wide, bituminous surfaced hike-and-bike pathway.
The trail, which opened on September 30, 1998, extends from the city of
St. Joseph to the city of Sauk Centre. The trail also has an extension
on the west side of Albany heading northeast to Holdingford.
The trail runs on the MN/DOT rail corridor formerly owned by
Burlington Northern Railroad Company. The trail is also available for
snowmobiling, however, use of metal studs on snowmobiles is prohibited
on the trail to help protect the trail from damage caused by the studs
on the snowmobile tracks. The trail has grown substantially since it was
first opened and further additions to the trail are continuing to be
planned. The trail has already seen a lot of use by bikers, snowmobilers,
roller-skiers, roller bladers, and of course, walkers.
The trail was originally the idea of the Albany Jaycees, who spent
many hours raising money and support for the trail. Planning for the
trail began in the fall of 1994, and fundraising began in the fall of
1995. Construction costs were a joint effort between the Federal ISTEA (Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act), State DNR Regional Trail
Initiatives Grant, Albany Jaycees Fundraisers (including city
contributions), Central Minnesota Initiative Fund (McKnight Foundation)
and Stearns County. With many supporters including Representative
Oberstar, who helped procure the additional funding needed, the trail
was approved and built.
