Explore the best rated trails in Waconia, MN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Mississippi River Regional Trail (Anoka) and West Mississippi River Regional Trail . With more than 94 trails covering 796 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.
I tried this one out because it’s close by but it wasn’t that fun. Too much pavement right on a major road, exhaust fumes etc. the parts with nice scenery between the two parks felt tiny
A good short cut, removed from the traffic. Agree with the other review that it lacks connectivity to a larger trail plan.
This has been on my to-do list for a while. Finally did it out-back from Hopkins and it didn’t disappoint. Great views and interesting scenery. The signage could be better around highway 62 and in Chaska, but it’s pretty good elsewhere. Looking forward to riding it again next year!
Delightful day touring 24 miles of Grand Round while visiting family. Friendly encounters with bikers with several places to stop, rest, and relax. The vistas of the Mississippi River balanced the clean and colorful trails.
Best place to ride in the twin cities
My first time on this trail was today. Started seeing some nice fall colors on the trees. Beautiful scenic ride with cliffs, hills and valley. The overall trail was really nice. Nicely kept up and very smooth to ride on. Only down fall was that it was too narrow. Could use about another foot on each side
Context: Rode trail end to end both directions on a m road bike w 700 X 23m tires. Past reviews seem accurate wrt beauty of surrounding landscape. Disregard older reviews re poor pavement conditions. The pavement is smooth end to end. An occasional weather crack (closer to Faribault) is typically marked. Would ride again on same bike any day.
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.
Twice we've taken this trail for a Sunday outing from Woodland Park in Elk River to Zimmerman, enjoying a light lunch @ D's Smokehouse & then back. Can't wait for the continued expansion north.
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.
This is not a destination trail, but does loop between the two parks and go under highway 62. It’s mostly gravel north of 62 and paved south of it and the part in Lone Lake park is very hilly. It also goes past the Lone Lake mountain bike loops if you’re looking for more adventure.
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