Explore the best rated trails in Cold Spring, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Mississippi River Regional Trail (Anoka) and Lake Independence Regional Trail . With more than 21 trails covering 494 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The leaves were turning colors and the weather cool when I rode. Black top trail in good condition. It’s a combination of open areas and rides through tree lined sections. It would be a great ride year round for the property prepared.
I covered the Thompson Lake to Oddfellows Park in Hutch at the end of July on a bike. There is plenty of parking and shade at Cosmos County Park and a bathroom with running water. The trail starts as Cadillac gravel through trees and then pops out to a gravel parking lot next to grain bins and a business. At the 4 way stop, it’s an easy crossing of highway 7 and a Casey’s to load up on snacks and water. It isn’t well marked to pick the trail back up, make a left at Gemini Ave and you find the sign for the trail. This is where the fun begins in my opinion. It starts gravel, but turns to grass. At the time I rode, the grass had not been mowed, but was 100% rideable. Your mileage may vary depending on bike and fitness level. The grass section is about 8 miles and incredibly beautiful to be riding through sloughs and catching a glimpse of what this prairie once was. The trail turns back to gravel after Cedar Mills, then eventually pavement near Hutch. An easy access gas station with bathrooms and water refill and snacks is next to Oddfellows Park. Though the parks in this section have restrooms as well.
Continuing on the trail, you arrive in a campground that accommodates both RVs and tents next to the Crow Wing River. Plenty of shade, a beautiful view of the river, and each spot has a fire ring and a picnic table. You will get traffic noise, but the location and amenities are worth it. The city of Hutchinson has done an impressive job incorporating this trail as a city resource. I saw lots of walkers, runners, and young kids on bikes using the trail to navigate the area.
Continuing on to Silver Lake, the trail surface is paved, but gets a little more rough. There are areas where some of the cracks are large enough to grab a narrow tire, so mind the gap. The scenery on this September ride was beautiful. I made the side trip to the Crow Wing Winery, just to check out the gravel trail. This is also a worthy stop for yummy food and a glass of wine, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The trail to Silver Lake remains about the same with lots of sumac and trees to shade the trail.
I absolutely think this would make a wonderful and pretty easy bikepacking trip.
The trail is a really nice trail to ride, nice scenery when you ride. However, once you get past Cedar Mills heading West towards Cosmos. That's when it changes grass is thick and makes hard to ride.
Morrison County does a terrible job maintaining the trail. If you don’t remove fallen branches yourself, it won’t get done. During the last two summers, I have experienced most of the major trails in the state. I see all sorts of conditions, including smoothness of the trail to debris not removed. Lake Wobegon Trail, which is located mainly in Stearns County, is one of the best maintained trails in the state. The Root River Trail is also one of the best. I do not recommend the Soo Line Trail due to lack of maintenance.
Great surface, beautiful farmland. Didn’t make it to the covered bridge.
I just went for my first road bike experience yesterday on this trail, driving to zimmerman to hop on it. To my luck, I came to find it was newly paved! It’s a lovely route to elk River and I actually think it may be closer to 8 or 9 miles one way, according to mile markers. The only down side is the stretch of land east to the elk River landfill…depending on which way the wind is blowing, it can be stinky. I can’t wait to bike again!
From highway 10 (Soo Line Trailhead) to the Morrison County/Stearns County line, the trail has not been maintained the past few years. The cracks don’t get repaired, debris doesn’t get blown off, big branches don’t get removed for days, dogs are off leashes. I had to remove a large branch that was blocking the trail for at least a week. The Morrison County maintenance crew needs a lesson from the Stearns County crew.
Lots of rocks kicked up from ATV side when bike riding and a lot of cracks and holes in the trail. It was fun but not as fun when ATVs were frequently riding on the paved part. We expected them to keep left but apparently it’s common for them to keep right?
Doesn’t seem to be heavily used. The surface is pretty rough and it could use some signage. Part of it is next to the railroad tracks which is not shaded and the train that went through when we were there was going quite fast.
Overall this surface is well maintained but can at times have some bumps or areas that need patched/resurfaced. Can go around Baker Park, to Lake Independence, Maple Plain, or Loretto. It provides nice connection to the Luce Line Trail near Orono / Long Lake.
Can connect to St. Michael along Co Rd. 146 north of Hanover (go past River Inn and keep going north until you see it).
Also from Hanover can take trail out to Beebe Lake.
Some planning maps show a future connection planned to Lake Rebecca but not sure when that will happen.
The east end of the trail is in the suburban Twin Cities and provides connection into Twin Cities trail network. As you move west you get into more rural areas around Hutchinson. If going through Winsted will need to use road for a bit. The far western portion of the trial around Cedar Mills switches from a crushed limestone to other aggregate so be prepared if going that far west.
In Orono / Long Lake you can connect to Baker Park and Lake Independence Trail (Maple Plain and Loretto area) then further north on path along Co. Rd. 19 to Old Hanover Bridge by River Inn, and to St. Michael along path beside Co. Rd. 146.
There is also a connector trail to Delano up Co Rd 30 but the surface can be poorly maintained. Once in Delano you can connect into Lake Rebecca Park and Rockford.
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