Why is Pine River called the “Birthplace of the Paul Bunyan Trail”?

In the year 1983, Burlington Northern Railroad made a decision to vacate the existing rail line from Brainerd to Bemidji. Terry McGaughey, then President of the Pine River Chamber of Commerce and avid bicycle rider, received this information and requested a resolution from the Pine River Chamber of Commerce requesting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources obtain the line, in its entirety, and develop the right-of-way into a recreational trail. The Pine River Chamber made and passed such a resolution in the basement of the United Methodist Church in Pine River during one of its monthly meetings. They then forwarded the resolution to the City of Pine River and the council likewise adopted a resolution and forwarded both resolutions to the State of Minnesota. Pine River was the first community along the trail to make a resolution to create the trail and after fifteen years of effort, the Paul Bunyan Trail became reality. That is the reason we refer to Pine River as “The Birthplace of the Paul Bunyan Trail”.

This 100 mile long multiple use trail runs right through downtown Pine River. Parking is available all seasons next to the trail. The trail runs between Brainerd and Bemidji; passing through several smaller towns on the way. The trail was constructed using the Burlington Northern Railroad grade over one hundred miles of the trail is paved from Baxter to Bemidji. The trail is mostly level and wheelchair accessible.
The paved portions of the trail can be used for hiking, biking, in-line skating and skate boarding. Users can expect to travel about ten miles between towns and stops with services. The undeveloped sections are ideal for snowmobiling and mountain biking. Studded snowmobile tracks are prohibited on the paved portion of the trail.