Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Overview

Published on Jun 29, 2004

Paul Bunyan is a giant among American tall tales, and the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway captures the spirit of the famous lumberjack as it passes through tall forests, large lakes, and friendly northern communities. Soon roadside panels will tell the story of the Minnesota countryside in Paul's own words, and the attractions in the area allow visitors to experience all the fun of life on the frontier.

There's a tall tale behind some of the local architecture. When Paul was fishing for the 40-ft. walleye called Notorious Nate, he flung the fish so far that his bobber caught on the water tower scaffold of Pequot Lakes, where it remains to this day. Some say that Paul also built the Historic Fire Tower a mile east of Pequot Lakes, even though the Department of Natural Resources has it listed on the National Historic Lookout Register. Unfortunately, as of July 2011 the tower is currently closed to the public and surrounded by a barbed-wire fence, but you can still imagine Paul building the tower so long ago.

The forest remains much as it was in Paul's day, along with its many varieties of wildlife. The Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area contains fourteen different habitats that draw in non-game wildlife for visitors to enjoy. The Paul Bunyan State Trail connects several of the local townships along the path of the old railway, letting bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers watch the local birds while enjoying the quiet of the forest.

The Whitefish Chain of Lakes is large enough to have come from several of Babe's hoof prints, and today, the recreational opportunities are equally gigantic. Like the scenery on its shores, the lake activities vary with the season, from summer waterskiing and swimming to winter snowmobiling, skiing, and spear fishing. Be sure to stop by the annual summer Duck Races at the Pine River Dam. Visitors can sponsor or cheer on one of a hundred racing decoy ducks, with prizes for the winner.

Through its expansive nature and its local storytellers, the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway will capture visitors' imaginations.

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