Explore Northern Minnesota
In Search of the Elusive Lady Slipper
And the Lost Forty
And the Mississippi River with a Lake Itasca Cruise
June 21-22, 2022
Chippewa National Forest
Lady Slipper Scenic Byway
in Beltrami County
The Lost Forty
in Koochiching County
Headwaters of the Mississippi
Itasca State Park and the Great River Road
Cruise on the Chester Charles II
on Lake Itasca
Lady Slipper Scenic Byway
in Beltrami County
The Lost Forty
in Koochiching County
Headwaters of the Mississippi
Itasca State Park and the Great River Road
Cruise on the Chester Charles II
on Lake Itasca
Your Tour Includes:
- Boarding in Bloomington, Vadnais Heights, Sartell, Little Falls and Brainerd.
- Overnight accommodations: Hampton Inn in Bemidji on beautiful Lake Bemidji
- Meals: Two Lunches and Breakfast at the Hampton Inn
- River Cruise on the Chester Charles 11 and lunch at Douglas Lodge
- Visit Statues of Lumberjack, Paul Bunyan with Babe the Blue Ox and Shaynowishkung, Chief Bemidji
- Taxes, Tips, Luggage Handling and Fully Guided with a Happy Trails Tours Professional On Board
Deposits/ Registrations: Deposit of $100 per person due when registering. Deposits become non-refundable with cancellations after April 20, 2022
Final Balance: Balance due on May 20, 2022. Travel documents will arrive in late May.
Refunds / Travel Insurance: Monies returned with cancellations made between April 20th – May 20th, 2022 are contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives from hotel, charter, tour companies, restaurant, etc. There are no refunds with cancellations made after May 20, 2022. Travel Insurance is available for an additional cost to help cover money lost due to unexpected, last minute, or trip interruption cancellations.
* We need a minimum of 30 travelers - If the numbers fall below 30, the trip runs the risk of being cancelled. All monies will be refunded if Happy Trails Tours cancels this tour.
Monday, June 21st Day 1; Chippewa National Forest – Lady Slipper Scenic Byway and the Lost Forty:
Begin with early morning departures on your Happy Trails Explore Northern Minnesota, The Elusive Lady Slipper and Lost Forty Tour. We have offered luxury motorcoach boarding throughout the Southern, Central and Northeast locations. You'll ride in style on a lovely state-of -the art Trobec Motor Coach with drivers that have your utmost safety and care in mind. Boarding locations offered will begin in Bloomington, (near the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport); Vadnais Heights, Anoka area, Sartell, Rice, Little Falls and Baxter. There may also be boarding offered in Duluth, Iron Range Cities.
In the mid-morning, we’ll gather from the various locations in Grand Rapids for breakfast. We’ll then continue westward another 45 minutes before turning North off Highway 2 .
Lady Slipper Scenic byway goes over the river and through the woods. The Chippewa National Forest hugs this rustic route with campgrounds and resorts tucked in the woods. The route crosses the Mississippi River flowing from Cass Lake as a stream. We will make our first stop at the Pennington Bog, which showcases these elusive Lady Slippers. The byway itself is a 28-mile drive that follows County Road 39 between the Northwoods towns of Blackduck and Cass Lake. The byway will take us past Knutson Dam, Webster Lake and Camp Rabideau.
As we continue north, our next stop will be in Northome, where the Starlight Café is expecting us. Our lunch is included at this local favorite before we continue our search for the elusive Lost Forty.
In the late 1800’s, Minnesota was one of the largest timber producing States in the country. Timber companies and developers were moving westward as they logged the northern forests of the United States. Minnesota was on their radar during this period of time. Today, less than two percent of Minnesota’s forested land contains virgin or “old growth” timber. Fortunately, there still exists an easily accessible area in Northern Minnesota that was never touched by loggers or developers. This property is called the “Lost 40” and it is home to one of the last stands of virgin, “old-growth” Red and White Pine in Minnesota. Some of these trees are well over 300 hundred years old. We’ll walk along some picturesque trails before returning to the coach. Though the trails are easy to walk, a person needs to be able to walk a little distance to really enjoy this stop.
Travel to Bemidji, where we’ll spend the night at the lovely Hampton Inn on Lake Bemidji. Dinner tonight is at your leisure. You are only about 6 blocks from downtown and there is a Green Mill next door. Relax and spend the rest of your day as per your own agenda.
Monday, June 21st Day 1; Chippewa National Forest – Lady Slipper Scenic Byway and the Lost Forty:
Begin with early morning departures on your Happy Trails Explore Northern Minnesota, The Elusive Lady Slipper and Lost Forty Tour. We have offered luxury motorcoach boarding throughout the Southern, Central and Northeast locations. You'll ride in style on a lovely state-of -the art Trobec Motor Coach with drivers that have your utmost safety and care in mind. Boarding locations offered will begin in Bloomington, (near the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport); Vadnais Heights, Anoka area, Sartell, Rice, Little Falls and Baxter. There may also be boarding offered in Duluth, Iron Range Cities.
In the mid-morning, we’ll gather from the various locations in Grand Rapids for breakfast. We’ll then continue westward another 45 minutes before turning North off Highway 2 .
Lady Slipper Scenic byway goes over the river and through the woods. The Chippewa National Forest hugs this rustic route with campgrounds and resorts tucked in the woods. The route crosses the Mississippi River flowing from Cass Lake as a stream. We will make our first stop at the Pennington Bog, which showcases these elusive Lady Slippers. The byway itself is a 28-mile drive that follows County Road 39 between the Northwoods towns of Blackduck and Cass Lake. The byway will take us past Knutson Dam, Webster Lake and Camp Rabideau.
As we continue north, our next stop will be in Northome, where the Starlight Café is expecting us. Our lunch is included at this local favorite before we continue our search for the elusive Lost Forty.
In the late 1800’s, Minnesota was one of the largest timber producing States in the country. Timber companies and developers were moving westward as they logged the northern forests of the United States. Minnesota was on their radar during this period of time. Today, less than two percent of Minnesota’s forested land contains virgin or “old growth” timber. Fortunately, there still exists an easily accessible area in Northern Minnesota that was never touched by loggers or developers. This property is called the “Lost 40” and it is home to one of the last stands of virgin, “old-growth” Red and White Pine in Minnesota. Some of these trees are well over 300 hundred years old. We’ll walk along some picturesque trails before returning to the coach. Though the trails are easy to walk, a person needs to be able to walk a little distance to really enjoy this stop.
Travel to Bemidji, where we’ll spend the night at the lovely Hampton Inn on Lake Bemidji. Dinner tonight is at your leisure. You are only about 6 blocks from downtown and there is a Green Mill next door. Relax and spend the rest of your day as per your own agenda.
Tuesday, June 22nd Day 2; Headwaters of the Mississippi - Lake Itasca State Park - the Chester Charles II
7 am – 9 am - Breakfast is included this morning. Help yourself. Set your luggage outside your doors by 8 am.
We’ll explore a few favorites tourist attractions in Bemidji, the “First City on the Mississippi”. Grab your cameras as we find our way to “Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox, Babe. Folk tales about the adventures of giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his companion Babe, the Blue Ox in the early 20th century before making their way into print as beloved children’s stories. Just a shore distance away stands the statue of “Shaynowishkung”, also known as Chief Bemidji. He was a respected leader and skilled orator, who exemplified Anishinabe values and advocated for peace. His statue and the four plaques that accompany it were constructed to encourage the healing of all people and the restoration of human dignity. From here we have set aside time for a surprise visit to a local art studio. More on this as the time gets closer, but we know you will be amazed at what you will see!
Travel to the Headwaters of the Mississippi on lovely Lake Itasca. Itasca State Park, Minnesota’s oldest state park, was established in 1891 to conserve the giant pines from logging. Before we set sail for our 1 hour and 45 minute cruise, we’ll have lunch (menu to be announced) at the historic Douglas Lodge. After lunch board the Chester Charles II, a 141 passenger boat equipped with a restroom and a concession stand. Begin the cruise with a park naturalist narrating this Wildlife Cruise. We’ll dive into the history about the Schoolcraft Expedition, Native Americans, logging, Civilian Conservation Corp and Jacob Browers founding the park in 1891.
After a wonderful two days together, you can expect to return home with the following estimated arrivals: 5:45 pm- Grand Rapids – Here is where we meet our shuttle where the group divides and travels home south and east.
Central Minnesota: 6:45 pm- Brainerd; 7:15 pm- Little Falls; 7:45 pm – Sartell; 9:45 pm – Vadnais Heights; 10 pm- Bloomington
Iron Range Cities: 6:15 pm – Hibbing; 6:45 pm- Virginia; 7:00 pm – Eveleth and Duluth will be 8:00 pm.
Changes: We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll replace it with one of equal value or better. As always… we’ll inform you of any changes as we learn of them.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
7 am – 9 am - Breakfast is included this morning. Help yourself. Set your luggage outside your doors by 8 am.
We’ll explore a few favorites tourist attractions in Bemidji, the “First City on the Mississippi”. Grab your cameras as we find our way to “Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox, Babe. Folk tales about the adventures of giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his companion Babe, the Blue Ox in the early 20th century before making their way into print as beloved children’s stories. Just a shore distance away stands the statue of “Shaynowishkung”, also known as Chief Bemidji. He was a respected leader and skilled orator, who exemplified Anishinabe values and advocated for peace. His statue and the four plaques that accompany it were constructed to encourage the healing of all people and the restoration of human dignity. From here we have set aside time for a surprise visit to a local art studio. More on this as the time gets closer, but we know you will be amazed at what you will see!
Travel to the Headwaters of the Mississippi on lovely Lake Itasca. Itasca State Park, Minnesota’s oldest state park, was established in 1891 to conserve the giant pines from logging. Before we set sail for our 1 hour and 45 minute cruise, we’ll have lunch (menu to be announced) at the historic Douglas Lodge. After lunch board the Chester Charles II, a 141 passenger boat equipped with a restroom and a concession stand. Begin the cruise with a park naturalist narrating this Wildlife Cruise. We’ll dive into the history about the Schoolcraft Expedition, Native Americans, logging, Civilian Conservation Corp and Jacob Browers founding the park in 1891.
After a wonderful two days together, you can expect to return home with the following estimated arrivals: 5:45 pm- Grand Rapids – Here is where we meet our shuttle where the group divides and travels home south and east.
Central Minnesota: 6:45 pm- Brainerd; 7:15 pm- Little Falls; 7:45 pm – Sartell; 9:45 pm – Vadnais Heights; 10 pm- Bloomington
Iron Range Cities: 6:15 pm – Hibbing; 6:45 pm- Virginia; 7:00 pm – Eveleth and Duluth will be 8:00 pm.
Changes: We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll replace it with one of equal value or better. As always… we’ll inform you of any changes as we learn of them.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.