Explore the best rated trails in Cottonwood, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Casey Jones State Trail and Glacial Lakes State Trail . With more than 4 trails covering 76 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.
While the part of the trail on the Woodstock is freshly paved, the first 10 miles or so from Pipestone to the east are in pretty rough shape. You will damage your bike if you're not careful and paying attention to the worst of the cracks. Trails like this are what make me appreciate the crushed limestone approach to trail building.
Bring your first aid kit in case you wipe out. Many areas of loose gravel where holes and cracks were filled. This segment one way is 3.0 miles from Milan to The boat landing at Lac qui Parle. There’s a gradual downward slope from Milan to the lake.
June 1st started at Woodstock MN , brand new paved trail going east tward Pipestone. First 2.5 miles perfect new surfaced trail, second 2,5 miles not new asphalt but smooth. Then the next 5 miles to Pipestone Wes asphalt with cracks all the way. Expect your bike to have rattles and your perineum to be jolted on this section. From Pipestone rode brand new concrete sidewalk trail surrounding the National Monument. Beautiful. Back to Woodstock, 19 miles total. Parked at City Park, one room bathroom, very clean. Bar and grill downtown recommended by a friend looked nice,
Some of the complaints about this trail are not entirely invalid...and it should also be noted that not everything needs to be perfect, in order to be worthwhile. Yes, I wish the ashpalt were in somewhat better condition (and I wish it ran all the way to Woodstock.) But the ride is still enjoyable, and worth making. The Casey Jones Trail is the only place on Earth (other than a zoo) where I have seen a soft-shelled turtle.
Google Maps seems to indicate that the ashphalt only runs about halfway to Woodstock, but in my experience, it's a lot more like 3/4ths of the way.
According to the 2020 census, Woodstock only has a population of 110...so you wouldn't really expect there to be cool place like Staci's Bar & Grill, where one can obtain sandwiches & beer. But fortunately, you'd be wrong.
By far, the most beautiful. Very wooded, lots of wildflowers and views of lakes. The trail, however is very bumpy and in need of repair. The cracks are deep and jarring and difficult on my back, neck and teeth¿. The views were outstanding, though.
Nice Trail. Flat, through farmland. Bumpy towards New London. Follows Hwy 23, so can be a bit noisy. Nice trail!
Very nice trail, wooded and open. Can be windy which makes for a harder ride, but one of our favorite trails. Would be nice to have a bench in Roscoe for a rest before turning around. Bathrooms in Richmond and you can also rent bikes there. You can also ride from Richmond to Cold Spring and stop at the Sauk River falls.
I did the trail from Pipestone to Woodstock. I attempted to continue to the county line, but the final 2 miles leaving Woodstock isn't maintained. It was knee high weeds. Still, a really fun trail mixed with mostly asphalt, some gravel, and a little grass. My ride was 22 miles round trip.
I was riding a drop bar gravel bike with 40mm slick tires which was perfect for the trail. The first asphalt section is similar to a highway shoulder...mostly smooth with some cracking. The second asphalt section is very smooth. Next is mostly flat gravel which turns into grass through the park in Woodstock.
I enjoyed the trail, and will visit again. A fun ride!
We started the ride at the Pipestone Trailhead. There is a small, dirt parking lot with a vault toilet. Immediately, I was not impressed. The asphalt trail surface is in poor condition. Every 20 feet or so were major cracks across the entire width of the trail. Many of these cracks were filled with ankle-high weeds. As if that weren’t bad enough, you had to dodge pothole after pothole along the way. We cycled for about about six miles before deciding we had enough of this poorly maintained trail and turned around. It did appear that if we had continued that the asphalt trail surface in the next section might be better. We were lucky that it was a non-windy day. I honestly cannot recommend cycling this section of the trail. Perhaps if there is another section that is paved, it might be worth starting at a different trailhead than Pipestone.
We were staying at Camden State Park in Lynd at the lower campground and started the ride from there. The actual trail starts at the visitor center about a mile up a steep and winding road. However, there is a better route (CR-25) right from the campground through local streets in Lynd. Ask at the visitor center for more information.
The trail towards Marshall is mostly downhill. Initially the trail parallels highway 23 but this highway is one with low traffic (in my opinion). The trail eventually leaves the highway and goes through parks and open space park along River Road before entering the outskirts of Marshall. We went as far as the fairgrounds and turned around.
There are no mile markers along the trail. There is no sign to indicate that you are actually on the Camden Regional Trail. What signage there is is poor. Signs like “Trail Crossing” indicate the direction of the trail. Some signs simply read “Bike Trail.” There are some benches along the trail and a vault toilet at the trailhead at the parking lot on River Road but no other amenities (no water). The trail surface was in excellent condition. On the way back to the campground, we had a headwind plus a slight uphill grade. Just a reminder, this is not a rail-to-trail bike trail so you won’t have a flat ride but will have mild undulating terrain. I would recommend this trail if you are in the area but try to start in Marshall first so you go downhill on your return. :)
I've ridden this trail many times in the past. It's pretty much the same as most rail trails--flat & straight. This trail has quite a bit of open to the wind as well as sheltered mileage. You pass by some nice lakes but too much of it is too close to noisy, busy Hwy 23.
I've taken all the side routes also. This time I went clockwise around Lake Koronis starting at the Regional Park. There are some pretty steep hills and the routes aren't well marked. On the east side of the lake it's mostly roads.
The part I enjoyed the most was from Roscoe to Richmond which is separated from the Paynesville terminus by a few miles. But it was a pleasant surprise with lots of trees, fields, water but best of all away from Hwy 23. On the east side of Richmond towards Cold Spring it goes along noisy Hwy 23 again. There is the best trailhead in Richmond, most of the rest have almost nothing--maybe a porta potty but no water or shade.
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