Aitkin County Water Trails Committee names river trail system and four river trails
Aitkin County, November 14, 2023 — today, the Aitkin County Water Trails Committee announced the name of the County Wide River Trail System, hereafter called The Aitkin County Riverboat Trails. Through an extensive public engagement process, the committee reviewed input and ideas for naming the trail system and trails. Thank you to all residents who participated in the naming process.
This trail system includes 11 individual kayak and canoe trails that span from Jacobson to the Pine Knoll Loop. The total river miles of the trail system is over 90 miles!!
The committee also named the first four trails in the Aitkin area.
- Pine Knoll Loop is currently under development and will be a loop consisting of approximately 1.6 miles, with entry and exit in the same location.
- Cedarbrook Way is an approximate 7.5 mile trail that launches at the Aitkin County Campground in Aitkin finishes at the Pine Knoll Loop.
- Ripplesippi Trail is an approximate 3 mile trail that spans from the Aitkin City Park to the Aitkin County Campground.
- Kimball Run (the home of the Paddle Your Glass Off event) is an approximate 6.7 mile trail starting at the Kimball Access and completes at the Aitkin County Campground.
“Today we celebrate the history and culture of Aitkin County and our love of the world river. We are using the history of the river to promote the future of the river.” said Kathleen Ryan, Aitkin County Water Trails Committee Chairperson and CFO of Aitkin County.
“Aitkin County has the most Mississippi River frontage miles in the state of Minnesota and has been and will continue to be a highlight of our Aitkin County Story. It’s just naturally better here.” said Mark Jeffers, Economic Development Coordinator for Aitkin County.
Additional public engagement sessions will be conducted from Jacobson to Kimball in the near future to be a part of naming the trails. Resident participation is encouraged in order to include and acknowledge the history of our great County.
Kathleen Ryan
Mark Jeffers
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