Big Rivers Regional Trail:
Minnesota
Trail Map
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Description:
Big Rivers Regional Trail meanders between limestone bluffs and river parkways, near the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River. The trail is flat and occupies the former rail bed once belonging to the Minnesota Central Railroad, believed to be one of state's oldest lines.

The trail offers scenic views of the river basin and Fort Snelling, Minnesota's first military outpost on Pike Island, a National Historic Landmark. The southern end of the trail passes through the town of Mendota, another of the state's oldest.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the Big Rivers Regional Trail, take Interstate 35E to Mendota Heights. Exit on Highway 13 (Sibley Memorial Highway) and then go west on Highway 13 for two miles. Then proceed west on Sibley Memorial Highway for 1.2 miles before heading north (right) into a parking lot to the trailhead (at stone overlook).

A map of the trail is available on the Trail Web Site (www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/rivers.htm).
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Great 4 mile run.
By Gary L. Boose in October, 2006
"Starting just NE of the 35E Bridge, you run up hill until you reach the %% Bridge and run back to the beginning. "
Great Trail
By Mike in June, 2003
This is among the very finest trails in the Twin Cities area.
The views are spectacular and the trail surface is smooth and rut-free.
Variety
By Desmond Grier in June, 2002
You'll hardly believe that you're near the center of a metropolitan area as you ride this smooth trail cut into the side of the bluffs at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers and extending through the marshlands in Lilydale and now out to end of Harriet Island (about 7 miles) in downtown St. Paul. Scenery is varied and beautiful all the way. Urban trails don't get any better than this one.
Browse Trails by Activity:
Ride by the confluence of the Minnesota & Mississippi rivers.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Interstate 495 to Lillydale Road
Counties: Dakota
Trail Length: 4.2 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016245

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