Stitching Together the MN Driftless Hiking Trail

Southeastern Minnesota has many parcels of public land that are difficult to access because they are either only reachable by crossing a river or are surrounded by private property. This creates challenges for residents and visitors alike who are interested in exploring the Driftless Region but lack adequate access to public trails and nature spaces. 

When we invite people to move through a landscape slowly, they often come to know and love the area and want to protect it. The Driftless Area is a unique and sensitive ecosystem, and one that requires conservation and stewardship to ensure long term sustainability. Accessible outdoor spaces are a necessary solution for protecting the landscape and developing stewards who will champion the region for generations to come.

The Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MDHT) began in 2018. Before any miles were ever put on the ground, we knew it was important to develop relationships with those who live in the region. A history of trail projects that use eminent domain in our region made it particularly important to show this trail wouldn’t uproot people from the land they love. We spent the last eight years building relationships with willing private landowners while also advancing key partnerships with area nonprofits, local government, and the Department of Natural Resources. In 2024, MDHT was awarded a grant from the Environment for Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative–Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) to further develop the trail. This funding was used to hire a director, purchase trail building equipment, and advance access for trail miles across Houston and Fillmore counties. Today, these efforts have resulted in 15 miles of trail access secured with an additional 8 miles of access in progress. 

Our funding is set to expire by June 30, 2027. We have been working this year to raise funds to support the operational expenses needed for the remainder of next year. MDHT is in need of financial support from the outdoor community to ensure the continued success of this project. 

That’s why MDHT needs your support. We need to raise $5,000 by midnight on November 19 to close the gap in funding needed for the second half of next year. 

Will you donate today? Thanks to Enlightened Equipment and the MDHT board of directors, every donation will be matched to double our fundraising goal. 

Together, we can provide a safe, accessible trail system in Minnesota’s Driftless Region to support deeper exploration and sustainability of this unique, remote wilderness. Thank you for your support in building this trail, mile by mile. We couldn’t do it without you.