Explore the best rated trails in Jeffers, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Tatonka Ska Trace and New Ulm Bike Circle . With more than 7 trails covering 89 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.
I rode around West Okoboji using some roads on the east side before rejoining the trail. The following day I again rode around the lake staying on dedicated trail by joining Tatonka Ska Trace trail which connects to the GLT at 155th street in the west and at Peoria street in the east. From there you can head also head north to Big Spirit Lake. In the south at 202nd street you can ride south to Milford or take some streets to reconnect at Three Cross road.
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I rode this trail numerous times in early August 2024 in perfect weather. Each time I started from Emerson Bay Recreational Area. I rode south around West Okoboji but where the trail ends I got lost and ended up riding the shoulder if Hwy 71 to get back to the trail on the other side. I rode south to Milford and back. My second outing I rode n north until the trail ended on the map in the app so I followed Lake Shore drive around the lake until I met the trail again. Third time I rode north again and realized I could continue north and connect to the road Tatonka Ske Traceti connect back to the IGL trail.
It's a nice, well-maintained trail that goes around 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,
This is a wonderful bike trail that goes all the way around West Okoboji to the north taking the old railway—beautiful Iowa prairie with wild flowers, all the way to Spirit Lake. Then it goes south to East Okoboji, Hwy 71 with a nicely paved trail. Not always marked well but once you know the way, it’s a piece of cake. 26 miles around West and East Okoboji. We love it!
Thank goodness for the TrailLink app bc this trail is very poorly marked. Pay attention to white spray painted arrows to guide you bc there is very little signage. The majority of the trail is asphalt or blacktop and sections are along the major US 71 highway. We parked at the Milford end of trail trailhead and there is no parking. We pulled into the grass along the road. Overall very shaded and nice and would recommend but have you TrailLink app ready to guide you!
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.
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. :)
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