Explore the best rated trails in Waconia, MN. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Great Northern Trail and Mississippi River Regional Trail (Anoka). With more than 87 trails covering 761 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.
This north-south path runs alongside McKnight Road on the border of St. Paul and Maplewood. Starting on Larpenteur Avenue, this blacktop path travels past residential neighborhoods and shopping...
The Rum River Regional Trail in Anoka, the trail stretches near three miles, including two-short on-road segments. The trail begins in the Akin Riverside Park, at the intersection with the Mississippi...
Minnetonka, a suburb of Minneapolis, boasts over 90 miles of bike-ped trails and counting. The trails range from regional trails such as the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail to smaller local...
The Minneapolis Diagonal Trail (also known as the Northeast Diagonal Trail) is primarily a commuter route offering grade-separated crossings of Interstate 35W. The trail links an industrial area north...
The mighty Mississippi and Minnesota River are the two waterways connected by the River to River Greenway. (The project was formerly known by the less colorful moniker North Urban Regional Trail.)...
The Waconia Shared Use Path allows residents to get to their neighborhoods parks safely on foot or by bike. The asphalt trail goes from Waterford Park in the west, a small park with passive green...
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...
The Johnson Parkway Regional Trail is a long overdue offroad bike trail that is now an integral part of St. Paul's Grand Round. Most of the trail runs through residential areas of St. Paul's East...
Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail contributes 7 miles to the Twin Cities’ extensive network of regional trails. The paved path is 10-foot wide, providing room for a variety of trail users...
The Elm Creek Park Reserve is an outdoor lovers’ dream. At 4,900 acres, it’s the largest park in Hennepin County. The park provides enough amenities to keep people coming all year round. Cyclists...
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The Wilderness Trail is located along an active BNSF railway line in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The trail connects users to the Bunker Hills Regional Park on the north side, while it meets the Sand Creek...
The Courthouse Loop Trail is one of several trails located in the Carver County city of Chaska. As the name suggests, the trail forms a loop around Courthouse Lake, which sits directly behind the...
While the idea is to have a bike-ped loop around the city of New Ulm, on the ground there are two discrete off-street segments of trail. The first is 4.9 miles long, from 20th Street to Broadway,...
As of spring 2016, bridge access to the Minnesota Valley State Trail was still closed at Memorial Park in Shako-pee until further notice. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website...
The Kenilworth Trail runs through dense forest along the eastern side of Minnesota's Cedar Lake. Occasionally, trail users can catch glimpses of some of the stately residences in the ritzy Minneapolis...
Minnesota’s Hiawatha LRT Trail runs along a north-south route paralleling both Hiawatha Avenue and the Metro Transit Blue Line in Minneapolis. The trail connects downtown Minneapolis and the vibrant...
Located in Hennepin County, the West Mississippi River Regional Trail is a growing trail project that will one day stretch 20 miles through Dayton, Champlin, Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. There...
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As its name suggests, the trail is nestled in the woods along Sand Creek in Coon Rapids. Thickly shrouded by trees, the trail has a secluded feel despite its urban/ suburban location. The trail...
The Big Rivers Regional Trail runs along the upper portion of what was originally a two-tiered section of railroad track built for one of the state’s oldest lines, the Minnesota Central Railroad. At...
Closure Notice: Beginning Oct.28, 2020 through Fall 2021, segments of this trail north and south of Upper Afton Road will be closed to allow for a regional sewer rehabilitation project. The Point...
The Afton to Lakeland Trail links its namesake towns on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River. The trail runs between Quinlan Avenue North/Eighth Street at Crocker Park in Lakeland and Pike Avenue...
Unlike its name would suggest, Nine Mile Creek is actually 15 miles from its headwaters at Minnetog Lake to the Minnesota River. This regional trail was constructed to meander alongside the creek as...
The Scenic River Trail doesn't actually provide any scenic river views, as its name implies. It does however connect to the Beaver Island Trail and the St. Cloud River Bluffs Regional Park, which do....
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The Mississippi River Regional Trail in Anoka County stretches over 19 miles along the the east side of the river. The trail crosses the county from north to south, running through the communities of...
The Rice Creek West Regional Trail travels the final five miles of the creek’s 46-mile journey to the Mississippi River. The trail connects the residents living along its length to creek’s rich...
At the heart of Minneapolis’ world class trail system is the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a series of interconnected parks and parkways that loop around the city, acting as a key connector to the entire...
Lake Phalen Trail offers a 3-mile paved loop around a popular lake in St. Paul. The tree-dotted pathway offers views of the lake on one side and pleasant neighborhoods on the other. It is nestled...
The Chaska Ravine Trail is a hidden gem for cyclists and pedestrians looking to travel off the beaten path within the suburban community, offering a quiet, natural pathway right in the midst of...
Crystal Lake Regional Trail connects two cities—Robbinsdale and Crystal—in the northwestern suburbs of Minneapolis. It also links to the Twin Lakes Regional Trail and the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway,...
The Vermillion River Regional Greenway offers a beautiful, paved loop in the riverfront city of Hastings, which lies on the banks of the Mississippi in southeastern Minnesota. Highlights of the...
The Trout Brook Regional Trail offers nearly 2 miles of paved pathway in the northern suburbs of St. Paul. It's comprised of two disconnected sections with a short gap in the middle. The northern...
Opened in the summer of 2017, the Point Douglas Regional Trail offers a picturesque link along the Mississippi River between Prescott, WI, and Hastings, MN, on a former railroad called the Peanut...
The Sunrise Prairie Trail runs north-south atop an unused right-of-way along a Burlington Northern Railroad corridor, traversing residential neighborhoods in the towns and mostly farmland in its...
Although short, the River Bend Trail provides access to a recreational gem, the River Bend Nature Center, a 750-acre park with woodlands, prairie, rivers, and ponds. Along the way, the paved trail...
Closure Notice: Beginning Oct.28, 2020 through Fall 2021, segments of this trail north and south of Upper Afton Road will be closed to allow for a regional sewer rehabilitation project. The Point...
Although only 1 mile long, the Dinkytown Greenway provides an important link in a biking network connecting Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The trail begins near TCF Bank Stadium and runs through the...
The Courthouse Loop Trail is one of several trails located in the Carver County city of Chaska. As the name suggests, the trail forms a loop around Courthouse Lake, which sits directly behind the...
This trail runs along the southern perimeter of Battle Creek Regional Park, wandering through wetlands, grasslands and woodlands all within a two-mile span. The trail begins on Point Douglas Road,...
Faribault is a city about half an hour south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the eastern endpoint of one of Minnesota's 40-mile Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. In addition to the regional trails, the...
Closure notice: Beginning Tuesday, May 26, a 6 mile portion of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail will be closed for reconstruction. The portion of trail affected by this closure is from 5th St. NW...
The Elm Creek Park Reserve is an outdoor lovers’ dream. At 4,900 acres, it’s the largest park in Hennepin County. The park provides enough amenities to keep people coming all year round. Cyclists...
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Shingle Creek Regional Trail branches out of the Rush Creek Regional Trail at Noble Parkway and tracks alongside the road heading south from Brooklyn Park through Brooklyn Center. Passing through...
The Chaska Ravine Trail is a hidden gem for cyclists and pedestrians looking to travel off the beaten path within the suburban community, offering a quiet, natural pathway right in the midst of...
The Hardwood Creek Regional Trail is actually two parallel trails running along US 61 in rural Washington County. The paved trail is open for biking, walking, running, and in-line skating, while the...
As its name suggests, the trail is nestled in the woods along Sand Creek in Coon Rapids. Thickly shrouded by trees, the trail has a secluded feel despite its urban/ suburban location. The trail...
The Straight River Trail forms a backwards L as it runs north-south through Faribault and then curves west. The paved trail begins at the Cannon River Reservoir, then travels through woodlands in Two...
The Trout Brook Regional Trail offers nearly 2 miles of paved pathway in the northern suburbs of St. Paul. It's comprised of two disconnected sections with a short gap in the middle. The northern...
This trail runs along the southern perimeter of Battle Creek Regional Park, wandering through wetlands, grasslands and woodlands all within a two-mile span. The trail begins on Point Douglas Road,...
The Minneapolis Diagonal Trail (also known as the Northeast Diagonal Trail) is primarily a commuter route offering grade-separated crossings of Interstate 35W. The trail links an industrial area north...
The Luce Line Trail occupies the former railbed of the Electric Short Line Railroad, started in 1908. The tracks continued to be expanded into the late 1920s, when the rail line became known as the...
The Kane Meadows Trail is a multi-use path located in Blaine, Anoka County. The trail begins in Kane Meadows Park, a neighborhood park on the west side of I-35W that includes a playground, a...
While the idea is to have a bike-ped loop around the city of New Ulm, on the ground there are two discrete off-street segments of trail. The first is 4.9 miles long, from 20th Street to Broadway,...
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Rush Creek Regional Trail stretches 9.6 miles across forests and farmland, offering a convenient connection to some of Hennepin County’s most interesting parks. The path is smooth, wide and mostly...
When complete, the Great Northern Greenway will provide a seamless non-motorized connection between north and northeast Minneapolis across the Mississippi River The trail passes through thriving,...
The Indian Mounds Trail runs through the regional park located atop the Mississippi's eastern bluffs, with a fabulous view of Downtown St. Paul & the Mississippi River. This is one of the few places...
The Big Rivers Regional Trail runs along the upper portion of what was originally a two-tiered section of railroad track built for one of the state’s oldest lines, the Minnesota Central Railroad. At...
Located in the Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie, Bryant Lake Regional Park offers 2.2 miles of immaculate paved trail cutting a swathe through grassy fields, shady woodlands and wetlands. The trail...
The Mississippi River Regional Trail in Anoka County stretches over 19 miles along the the east side of the river. The trail crosses the county from north to south, running through the communities of...
The Minneopa Trail is part of Mankato's catalogue of trails including Red Jacket Trail, the South Route Trail, the North Minnesota River Trail and the nearly 40-mile Skatah Singing Hills State...
The Central Anoka County Regional Trail runs through Anoka County in the suburbs of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. When completed, it will be 26 miles long. As of 2019, four sections have been built,...
This was the my first time trying the Grand Round. I Started on Johnson Parkway at Indian Mounds Park which I have road before! The long delayed Johnson Parkway section was finished just before winter but already has had the start of the trail torn up and rebuilt. Also a center line dividing the bikeway was removed and now has a gash in the new asphalt leaving a visible gash line between Burns Ave to Stillwater Ave a needless of funding. The actual surface condition is the best, very wide, low traffic, meandering through mostly residential area until you reach Lake Phalen.
At Phalen you run into heavy congestion and a one-way clockwise around the lake which would be a problem for those doing the Grand Round clockwise, you need to ride on Wheelock Parkway Road or loop Phalen. The lake area is beautiful a loop is wonderful though congestion but you may not wish to add 2 more miles to a 26 mile loop. Now staying on the Grand Round becomes confusing, no directional signage if you take the obvious natural path you will be force to loop the lake. You need to to make a 160 degree turn at the beach house, heading to the Phalen Dr & Wheelock Parkway controlled intersection where you cross to the parkways southside. Shortly after crossing to the southside lack of signage is an issue. There is a paved T bike intersection. One trail take many take is the one the follows along side of Wheellock Parkway, this is WRONG that is a walking path. You should make the 90 degree turn at the T crossing the southside of the ballfields to Cottage & Forest natural turn north along the eastside of forest which is a wide concrete trail. You return to the trail along side Wheelock, the same issue occurs westbound, stay on the wider trail even it is not the obvious natural choice. You continue to Rice St to cross with a stoplight. Trail condition in this area is from good to poor.
After crossing Rice St There is no paved trail or even a street bike lane as erroneously mark that way here on TRIALLINK. This leaves you with the option of riding in the street or on the narrow concrete sidewalks. The bike trail picks up again in the center median of the parkway one block east of Edgerton St. Coming from the west the trail abruptly ends.
Now from this point on until Wheelock ends at Como Park is great fantastic surface. This portion crosses over The Trout Creek Trail but you need to carry your bike down some stairs at the SE corner of that bridge.
When you reach Como Park the loop around the lake is the opposite direction from Lake Phalen, one way counter clockwise. So from the east you take the northside of the lake, from the east the southside. Once you reach Lexington there is a signage issue again there are maybe 6 variations to choose to continue. The City needs to clearly mark which rout is the correct one for the GR. Most trails are good to fair!
If by change you find yourself along side Como Ave you are in luck. Once you cross Hamline Ave there is a great bike trail along the northside of the street. Condition is perfect. This trail is along side the State Fair Ground and will be congested during the State Fair. This trail ends at Raymond Ave. This portion of the GR is omitted from TRAILLINK at this time.
You go south on Raymond has no bike trail, only road bike lanes which you follow to Myrtle turn right and continue to turn left on Pelham. I find this section totally family unfriendly, too much traffic.
Once on Pelham you are going to take it to the East Mississippi River Parkway. On Pelham at least there is a guarded bike lane, they are rubber poles, but that is better then nothing! Trail here is concrete and Good shape.
Once you are heading South on the River Parkway you will see wonderful overlooks, mansions & monuments along the way. Maybe the best part of the ride. Trail is mostly good condition all the way to Gannon Rd.
NOTE: Trail maybe closed south of Ford Parkway for construction.
At Gannon Road is where Shepard Road begins. This section all the way on to Warner Rd is in great to good shape and ends at the conjunction of Fish Hatchery Trail & Indian Mounds Park Trail, But go straight which is the IMPT and climb the hill and use the pedestrian bridge and return to where I started at Johnson Parkway.
There are a few Alternate variations that can be done but the city needs to clearly mark the route. Signs that are 10ft tall don't help but painting the name of the trail on the pavement would work.
I love this trail! Sure, it’s not perfectly paved, but I understand it must have been difficult to perform upkeep given the pandemic. Watch out for bumps and cracks and you’ll be alright! There are many gorgeous views and the trees lining the trail are beautiful.
Great trail. Fantastic views. Perfect length for me at around 10 miles.
We went rollerblading with the kids and it was nice and smooth. Highly recommend.
Trail is amazing. The amount of people complaining over a few cracks here and there is ridiculous. Just ride and grow a pair.
Rode this out of Belle Plaine going north 8 miles out and back. Several downed trees which were easy to ride over, but the trail is not great on a mountain bike. Too sandy, and at this time of year, muddy. It’s to be expected for a river bottoms type trail I would assume. Needed a work out nearby and was glad this is close to where I was staying, but won’t race back to do it again.
Fairy scenic for being in the city, connects to other nice trails. Went the wrong way a couple of times but the mapped helped me figure it out. Nice paved trail. Bumpy In spots.
Good place to start walking shade in summer plowed in winter. No rest rooms close to bunker prairie start hiking
This is a beautiful paved road for bicycling. The view of the Mississippi River is so peaceful.
We only walked a very small part of this trail. Parked at the end of Huber Park "under" the bridge and walked to Memorial Park and back. We wanted just a short walk to check out the area and while it was nice and dry on the trail, it was through a swampy area and when the paved walk ended the footing was really uneven. A lot of bugs already at just the beginning of April.
We had about 45 minutes to kill while waiting on someone and didn’t want to just sit in the car so we drove to the Interlaken neighborhood parking and set out for about 15 minutes away from the car and 15 back. A couple of small hills were a nice addition to make our short walk a bit more challenging. We encountered kids on snowmobiles, a mom pushing a stroller, a senior couple walking a dog, a true neighborhood stroll.
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