Forbay Trail

The Forbay Trail is a 0.8-mile-long paved path in Jay Cooke State Park near Carlton, Minnesota. The Forbay Trail is a wide asphalt path through a mixed hardwood and softwood forest that can be used as a connector trail to the William Munger State Trail. Bicycles are allowed on this trail. The trail gradually gains almost 100 feet of elevation. Since this trail is located in a state park, a fee must be paid to enter the park. A day use or annual permit can be purchased at the Park Office. Dogs are allowed on this trail but must be on a leash six feet long or shorter.

The trail begins near the entrance road to the Park Office and River Inn Visitor Center. There is parking available there. The trail almost immediately crosses Minnesota Highway 210 and begins its gradual climb. At the 0.4 mile mark the CCC trail crosses the Forbay Trail. After three quarters of a mile, Forbay Lake or Forbay Canal will come into view. Shortly thereafter, the Forbay Trail ends at the William Munger State Trail. From here one can take a short jaunt to a bridge over Forbay Lake and then return back to the parking lot near the Park Office. Another option is to follow the William Munger State Trail to the west for about a mile to a trestle bridge near a dam. Here there is a scenic rocky river gorge of the St. Louis River that can be explored.

A map of the park and its hiking trails can be found here.