The paved North Minnesota River Trail hugs its namesake river for much of its journey on the western end of Mankato. Along the way, it offers views of the river, limestone cliffs and the city. From its southern end, you can access popular Sibley Park, where you can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including softball, tennis, fishing, picnicking and even a farm.
The North Minnesota River Trail also provides important connections to two other trails: the 13-mile
Red Jacket Trail near its southern end, and the 39-mile
Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail at its northern end.
About mid-trail, is Riverfront Park, which offers parking lots off W. Elm Street and W. Rock Street. A spur off the trail's southern end leads to Sibley Park (900 Mound Avenue), where parking can also be found.
We parked in Sibley Park to begin the trail - a very pretty start by the river. That changed quickly once we were out of the park! The path is wide enough and at 3:00 in the afternoon, very quiet - no bikers. That is the reason I gave it 2 stars - I kept ...