By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The Central Lakes Trail, Minnesota’s 23rd state trail, runs along an abandoned railroad corridor purchased by the State of Minnesota in 1992. Otter Tail County was among the governmental agencies working with local volunteers to finance construction of the trail. 

The paved trail, totaling 55 miles, runs through three counties and 10 communities. The trail begins in the city of Fergus Falls and runs through Dalton, Ashby, Evansville, Garfield, Alexandria and ends in the city of Osakis. 

Trail users enjoy the many differing landscape views all four seasons of the year. They include open grassland, lakes, wetlands, farmland and forested rolling hills. It is very common to see deer and a large number of bird species, including an occasional eagle along the trail, in addition to seeing a variety of trees and plants.

The project took 12 years to complete and involved many partners. The Central Lakes Trail was dedicated in August 2005 with celebration rides originating in Osakis and Fergus Falls.

The Central Lakes Trail and the Lake Wobegon Trail were finally connected in August 2007, extending from Osakis to St. Joseph (48 miles) and also to Holdingford, northwest of St. Cloud.