Muddy Trails and COVID-19: Duluth Hiking in Spring 2020
Duluth’s Parks and Recreation division has released guidelines advising citizens how to use city parks and trails in a manner that will reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. March and April are also the months when snow is melting and natural-surface trails can be easily damaged.
So, where is it OK to hike and how is it done safely?
First, with reference to COVID-19, the city advises people to:
- Refrain from using parks or trails if they are exhibiting symptoms.
- Follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to, during and after use of parks or trails.
- Be prepared for no access to public restrooms, potable water or protection from the elements.
- Observe the CDC’s minimum separation of six feet from other individuals at all times.
- While on trails, warn other users of their presence and step aside to let others pass.
- Follow CDC guidance on the maximum advisable size of social gatherings.
- Reduce crowding and travel by sticking to close-to-home parks and trails.
- Select alternatives to crowded parks and trails like the Lakewalk.
- Minimize use of high-touch park amenities such as benches, picnic tables, trash cans, and railings.
- Obey all closures of community centers, playgrounds, and restrooms.
When natural-surface trails are wet, the best walking and running options are paved and gravel trails such as:
- Duluth Lakewalk
- Willard Munger State Trail
- Cross City Trail
- DWP Trail
- Campus Connector Trail
- Lincoln Park Drive, a portion of which is closed to motor vehicles for bike and pedestrian use
- One-mile section of Seven Bridges Road in Lakeside/Lester Park closed to vehicles
- Old Hartley Road
- Amity Creek Equestrian Trail
- West Skyline Parkway and Hank Jensen Drive from Twin Ponds to Enger Park Golf Course
- Western Waterfront Trail (although it’s mostly closed this year)
- Millennium Trail in the Superior Municipal Forest
- Osaugie Trail along the Superior Bay
- Beaches on Minnesota and Wisconsin points
- Skyline Parkway on the western end beyond the barrier, which is closed to auto traffic
- Roads around the Antenna Farm
- Old State Highway 1 (terminus of Westgate Boulevard southwest of 68th Avenue West)
- Paved driveways at cemeteries
The latter suggestions come from Perfect Duluth Day and not Duluth Parks and Rec. For the up-to-date trail conditions and notifications, visit duluthmn.gov/parks.