Albert Lea, MN Birding Trails and Maps

126 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Albert Lea?

Find the top rated birding trails in Albert Lea, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
36 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Clear Lake Bike Trail System

5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Harry Cook Nature Trail

2 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Loon Lake Trail System

2.2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

NIACC Trail

2.2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

South Route Trail

8.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Straight River Trail

8 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail

27 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Winnebago Trail

3.7 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Zumbro South Trail

6.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Blazing Star State Trail

6 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

High Line Trail

2.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Mill Towns State Trail

7.25 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Red Jacket Trail

6.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

39.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Shooting Star State Trail

24.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Cedar River Greenbelt Trail

4 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Prairie Land Trail

11.3 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Hanson Trail

3 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

North Minnesota River Trail

4.8 mi
State: MN
Asphalt
Accordion

40th Street Bike Path

1.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

48th Street Bike Path

2.1 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Batchelder Trail

1.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Cascade Creek Trail

3.6 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Hart Farms Trail

0.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Hynes Spur Trail

1.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Mayowood Bike Path

0.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Minneopa Trail

2.7 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Northern Link Trail

1.42 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Park Avenue NW Trail

1.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

River Bend Trail (MN)

1 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Salem Road Bike Path

1.5 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Southern Woods Trail

0.75 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Todd Park Bike Trail

2.4 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

West Circle Drive Bike Path

4.1 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Wildwood Trail (Austin)

1.2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Circling around the 652-acre lake on the eastern edge of Waseca, the Clear Lake Bike Trail System provides a fun recreational experience and a unique way to explore this pristine body of water. A very...
MN 5 mi Asphalt
The Harry Cook Nature Trail runs for 2 miles from the edge of the small city of Osage, Iowa to the city's public Spring Park. The trail, which opened in the early 1990s, occupies the bed of an...
IA 2 mi Crushed Stone
Largely constructed on a former rail corridor running north/south out of the city of Waseca, the Loon Lake Trail is a short but sweet trail that provides residents with off-road access to important...
MN 2.2 mi Asphalt
The NIACC Trail in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, connects the campus of North Iowa Area Community College with the edge of downtown Mason City. The trail provides a convenient and safe alternative to...
IA 2.2 mi Asphalt
The South Route Trail begins west of Mankato in Minneopa State Park, known for its beautiful waterfalls and views of the Minnesota River Valley. Heading southeast from the park, following County Road...
MN 8.3 mi Asphalt
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...
MN 8 mi Asphalt
The Wapsi–Great Western Line Trail is a 27-mile pathway on the former Chicago Great Western Railroad. The trail passes through a plethora of backdrops, including wide, rolling landscapes, Iowa...
IA 27 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Winnebago Trail provides the residents of Mason City with a safe, off-road link to nature, winding 3.7 miles from East Park and through residential areas to the Lime Creek Nature Center as it...
IA 3.7 mi Crushed Stone
Offering nearly 10 miles of paved pathway through Rochester, the Zumbro South Trail serves as both an important transportation route and recreational destination. As the western end of the trail...
MN 6.5 mi Asphalt
The Blazing Star State Trail is located in Albert Lea, near Minnesota’s southern border. The town is known as “The Land Between the Lakes,” and the trail begins on the northern shore of one of the...
MN 6 mi Asphalt
When finished, the High Line Trail will stretch 8 miles across Mason City, IA and connect to other local trail routes. In 2023, the trail's first 3 miles opened from 12th St. NE to 19th St. SE. The...
IA 2.7 mi Asphalt
At one time, flour and grist mills dotted the Cannon River Valley. These mills formed the backbone industry for a number of towns. The Mill Towns State Trail seeks to honor this legacy with a planned...
MN 7.25 mi Asphalt
Overview The popular Red Jacket Trail, which runs south from Mankato, utilizes three converted railroad trestles, including the stunning Red Jacket Trestle, which is more than 80 feet high and 550...
MN 6.3 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Overview This trail is so nice they named it twice: Sakatah is the Dakota word for “singing hills.” The Dakota people of the Great Sioux Nation originally lived in this scenic part of Minnesota,...
MN 39.3 mi Asphalt
Shooting Star State Trail, which is over 24 miles long, is an 8-foot-wide asphalt path from Nicolville (east) to Le Roy (west). It follows an unused railroad bed on Milwaukee Road, which once...
MN 24.3 mi Asphalt
The Cedar River Greenbelt Trail snakes along the west side of the river between Osage and Mitchell. The limestone trail is suitable for walking, jogging, biking and horseback riding. The trail is open...
IA 4 mi Crushed Stone
The Prairie Land Trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor 11.3 miles between 240th Street in Mason City and Jonquil Avenue in Swaledale. With a surface of crushed limestone, the rail-trail runs...
IA 11.3 mi Crushed Stone
The best place to begin the Trolley Trail is in Mason City in Ray Rorick Skate Park, located adjacent to the 81-acre Lester Milligan Park, which has two fishing and swimming ponds, hiking and biking...
IA 7.5 mi Asphalt
The Hanson Trail is a paved, off-road alternative to State Route 9 in Forest City, Iowa. The trail parallels the road for its entire length through fertile farmland. Forest City and the Winnebago...
IA 3 mi Asphalt
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...
MN 4.8 mi Asphalt
Accordion
The 40th Street Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that follows its namesake roadway through a lightly developed stretch of southern Rochester, coasting over rolling hills and the edge of woods to...
MN 1.5 mi Asphalt
Running for over two miles over gentle hills, highway exit ramps, and creeks and fields, the 48th Street Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that provides a route for cyclists and pedestrians in...
MN 2.1 mi Asphalt
The Batchelder Trail is a local walking and biking path in Faribault, Minnesota, a city south of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. The asphalt trail starts on Park Avenue and winds behind a residential...
MN 1.3 mi Asphalt
Linking some of Rochester's most popular parks and recreation sites, the Cascade Creek Trail follows its namesake creek for over three miles, from Manorwoods Lake and Cascade Lake in the west, to the...
MN 3.6 mi Asphalt
A short sidepath trail that runs through a neighborhood in the southern reaches of Rochester, the Hart Farms Trail offers a pleasant asphalt path for local residents. Sharing the roadside with a row...
MN 0.7 mi Asphalt
The Hynes Spur Trail links the heart of Forest City, Iowa, with its municipal airport to the south. The short paved trail passes through Pammel Park and adjacent to the Bear Creek Golf Course, with...
IA 1.8 mi Asphalt
A neighborhood offshoot of the longer Zumbro South Trail, the Mayowood Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that parallels Mayowood Road in southern Rochester. The trail is relatively flat, running...
MN 0.7 mi Asphalt
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...
MN 2.7 mi Asphalt
The Northern Link Trail provides a pleasant walking and biking experience in Faribault County. The hard surface trail forms a V-shape, starting at the Two Rivers Park parking area in the east and...
MN 1.42 mi Asphalt
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...
MN 1.5 mi Asphalt
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...
MN 1 mi Asphalt
The Salem Road Bike Path is an asphalt sidepath trail that runs along Salem Road and West Frontage Road in a pretty, suburban section of southern Rochester. The pathway picks up where the West Circle...
MN 1.5 mi Asphalt
The Southern Woods Trail is a short, paved trail that runs through a pretty section of suburban southern Rochester. The trail starts in the north where the 48th Street Bike Path crosses over Willow...
MN 0.75 mi Asphalt
The Todd Park Bike Trail makes use of an old railroad grade to connect recreational destinations in Austin. The paved trail links Todd Park to Mill Pond on the Cedar River. The trail traverses Todd...
MN 2.4 mi Asphalt
A suburban sidepath trail that runs along the western edge of Rochester, Minnesota, the West Circle Drive Bike Path provides an important link in the city's expanding trail network. The path runs...
MN 4.1 mi Asphalt
Located in the low-lying woodlands in along Wolf Creek, this trail picks up across 11th Street from Todd Park and its paved bike trail. The trail winds through the riparian forests on lands once owned...
MN 1.2 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Please put this trail on your to do list. Faribault to Mankato is 39 miles of scenic trails and small villages that have embraced the trail. The only down side is the underwhelming trail head in Mankato (no services) other than parking.

October, 2024 by mankato

Please put this trail on your to do list. Faribault to Mankato is 39 miles of scenic trails and small villages that have embraced the trail. The only down side is the underwhelming trail head in Mankato (no services) other than parking.

Clear Lake Bike Trail System

Nice Trail

September, 2024 by rl_henderson

Beautiful views of the lake. Rode twice to get 10 miles!

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Really nice trail!

August, 2024 by hayleykulstad

We rode from Faribault trailhead on 8/31/24. There had just been a storm the week before so there were trees down the first few miles but we took streets to get around it. There was a section closed like the reviewer said before me but you can go around this too on the road by the lake. This trail is flat and wide. Fun to stop in Waterville for lunch half way at the Corner Bar and sat outside.

Accordion

NIACC Trail

Short and sweet

August, 2024 by dpate

This is a great short trail. It takes you from the east side of Mason City to NIACC. It’s a scenic trail at some points. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Winnebago Trail

Great trail

August, 2024 by dpate

It’s not a super long trail but scenic and it connects some of the local recreation spots. It connects to the Line Creek trail in the north. I live here and I ride it often. 5 stars from me on this one. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

Great commuter trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I have ridden this trail since its creation in I believe 89 or 90. For many years I rode it from Mason City to Clear Lake for work and back. Now that I am retired I still ride this trail regularly. I wish there was more of a buffer between the trail and the highway. 4 stars only for highway noise. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Harry Cook Nature Trail

Nice short trail

August, 2024 by dpate

This is a good trail but pretty short. 5 stars.. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Prairie Land Trail

Nice peaceful trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I live near here so I have ridden this trail numerous times. It’s a good gravel trail that is road bikeable. I road it with 700X38 at 17/18 MPH without issue. It’s a good trail that should be extending southwest in the future. I give it 4 stars only for not much shade and no porta potties. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Great trail—some construction

August, 2024 by askrens

Rode Mankato to Fairabault. Around mile 35 part of the trail had collapsed, but people were still getting through. Overall trail was in excellent shape, except for one area in the State Park and another just west of that. We were on road bikes and loved the trail.

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

Good connector

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I have ridden this trail since it's inception in the early 90's. For many years I commuted between Mason City and Clear Lake on it for work. It is right near the highway and there isn't much scenery and no shade. It makes a good place for locals to get some car free miles in. I still ride it often.

Traveling cyclist
Facebook

Prairie Land Trail

Nice Peaceful Ride

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

The trail is gravel good enough to ride a road bike on. There isn't much shade or an amenities but very quiet and peaceful. It is being expanded to the south and I hope one day to the north to connect to other Mason City trails. I would recommend riding this trail and I will return here.

Traveling cyclist
Facebook

Shooting Star State Trail

It’s not taken care of very good

July, 2024 by pops65

We started at Rose creek and went to Adams (first part of the trail from I90 to Rose Creek is right next to Hiway 56)the first couple of miles the weeds were hanging over the trail and weeds growing up in All the cracks it was not worth the drive to Austin. I wouldn’t recommend this trail until some major maintenance is done.
Paul N.

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