Thank You to our Landowners
We are deeply grateful to the landowners who have said yes to the trail. Your generosity, trust, and shared vision make the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail possible. By opening your land to the public, you are helping to connect people with nature, strengthen rural communities, and protect the unique beauty of the Driftless region. Thank you for believing in this trail and in the power of shared spaces. We couldn’t do this without you.
Becoming a Landowner with MDHT
1. Initial Conversation
We’ll get to know you, your land, and your goals. At the same time, we’ll share MDHT’s mission to determine if this is the right fit for both parties.
2. Letter of Intent
If there’s alignment, you’ll sign a non-legally binding agreement called a Letter of Intent. This gives us permission to move forward with site visits and mapping.
4. Access Agreement
From there, we formalize the partnership with a signed access agreement. Access agreements are legally binding, and can be personalized based on the landowner’s needs and property.
3. Site Visit & Mapping
We walk the land with you to explore potential trail routes and ask key questions about your current use of the land, future plans, and operations like farming, forestry, or hunting.
5. Trail Building or Designation
We either build new trail or work with existing trails on your land. Our team installs signage and maps the area.
6. Public Access
Once the trail is ready to go, it’s officially opened to the public–while you retain ownership and control of your land.
Land Access Agreements
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We offer flexible partnership methods based on your preferences and land use goals:
Trail Use Agreements
A temporary, informal agreement. Can be canceled anytime and ends with land ownership changes.
License or Lease
Legally binding for a set term. Often used for public lands or land with special conditions. May include some compensation depending on local regulations.
Trail Easement
A permanent right for the public to use a specific corridor of land, while you retain ownership.
Conservation Easement
A permanent legal agreement protecting conservation values, while still allowing private ownership. Can offer tax benefits and reduced estate taxes.
Fee Ownership
The land is purchased for conservation and public access. This is rare and typically only pursued if donation or sale is initiated by the landowner.
For more information, check out our Land Access Methods document. Not sure which method is best for you? We’re happy to walk you through the options during the site visit & mapping stage.
Why Partner with MDHT?
Landowners across the Driftless Region are discovering the real benefits of hosting a public trail on their property
Retail Control & Ownership
You maintain ownership of your land and full access for activities like farming, hunting, fishing, and forestry.
Reduced Trespassing & Poaching
Landowners on other trails (like Chatfield’s Lost Creek Hiking Trail) have seen a major drop in illegal activity after officially opening trail access.
Enhance Property Value
Trail presence can increase property appeal–especially for recreational buyers and rural conservation-minded neighbors.
Boost Local Quality of Life
Your land becomes part of something bigger–helping connect people to nature, improving public health, and fostering rural pride.
Protect the Character of the Land
Trail partnerships help preserve the Driftless area’s scenic, agricultural, and natural heritage.
Tax Incentives
Certain types of access agreements, like conservation easements or land donations, may come with state or federal tax deductions
Positive Public Image
Trail landowners are seen as stewards of the land and contributors to public well-being.
Would you like to learn more or take the first step? Contact Us to start the conversation.
Landowner Liability
Curious about the risk and liabilities as a landowner? Minnesota Statute 604A.23 is a law that protects private landowners who allow the public to use their land for recreational purposes–like hiking, bird watching, or snowshoeing– without charging a fee.
This law says that if you let people use your land for outdoor recreation and you’re not making money from it, you’re not liable if someone gets hurt while they’re out enjoying the trail.
A Few Key Points:
You don’t have to maintain your land to any specific standard. You’re not responsible if someone trips, falls, or otherwise gets injured while using your land recreationally. You’re still protected even if you’ve informally given permission for access.
Why This Matters:
It means you can support public trails and outdoor access–like the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail–without taking on extra legal risk.
The Bottom Line:
This law is here to encourage landowners to open their land for public enjoyment–safely and responsibly–without fear of being sued. Since Minnesota adopted the recreational-use statutes, the legal shield for landowners has remained strong. No public recreational user has successfully sued a landowner and won based solely on an injury sustained during free, permitted recreational use. So landowners can continue opening their land with confidence.