Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Elk River, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We rode from the Cedar Nichols Trailhead to the 77 Bridge and back. I hope someone eventually posts the path on the 77 bridge. We were too freaked out by traffic sounds to even go look. The abundant birds on this trail are a treat! It will fun when they finish the next segment north of this trailhead.
We hit the Empire Township Trail at the Spruce St entrance (at the back of the parking lot by the hockey rink), in the evening. We were riding our bikes. The trail is not great for bikes at all anymore. The pavement is creased and hole-y, causing a tooth-rattling ride. We only rode to the DQ on Hwy 3 and then elected to take city streets back. It was a bit over 4 miles round trip that way. I went back to the Empire Township Trail in Farmington, MN this morning, on foot and with my dog. It is a pleasant walking trail, though there are areas that are hidden away from public view and could be a security risk (there was a male dressed all in black in the bushes as I walked by. I assume public urination was the reason). The trail could be improved with more lighting and maybe a public emergency call box or two. But all in all it's a nice trail with abundant birds.
The trail between Luck and Frederic is all loose gravel and rocks. Very soft. Maybe okay for a fat tire bike. May 29, 2025.
Love this trail from Shakopee to Chaska but was impassable in the middle due to unannounced construction. Hard stop with pavement being ground into think sand. Would have been nice to put up notice at key entry points to trail.
Fun smooth trail. Nicely paved. Great for biking. I would love to go back!!
The trail name icons take too much room on the screen and cause the screen to jump and recenter.
Hiked the entire south side and north on the right side of the park. Many different birds calling and singing. Oddly still no peeps from frogs or roads. Found some junk off the horse trail, crew needs to clean it up
Wonderful sunny fall day. Joined the north section of the trail at 494 bridge and headed south. A number of new/repaired path areas made the ride smooth going. Great sights with leaves fallen.
Thank you so much for the clean and safe bathrooms in the Pine Bend Bluff parking lot.
I was surprised to discover at the end of the trail was brand new pavement that connected the north and south sections together. The new paved trail was wide and included a tunnel. The trail brings you into the Bison area of the park.
Thank you Dakota County leadership.
My ride ended up with delicious lunch downtown Hastings.
Although having lived in the area for years, I've never used any part of this trail. I ran it from Belle Plaine to Memorial Park in Shakopee in November. I should note that this fall season has had little rain and has been on the warm side. Around 50 degrees when I ran it. So trail conditions can vary wildly.
There were a few spots with standing water near the Belle Plaine side, all easily avoidable. There is also a length of sand, probably pushing a mile overall, around the Jordan area. This section was tough to run due to the horses making ruts in the sand. I would guess a bike would need to be pushed through some of this. Other than the sand, this trail was great and totally runnable. The brush and grass had been cut and no trees or branches on the trail.
Something I wasn't aware of, from Chaska to Shakopee, the trail is paved.
5 minutes into ride got lost ! No signage. City streets are confusing route. Waste of time today.
Rode this from Wayzata to Waconia and back. Well maintained, great views of a variety of environments (prairie, suburban, marsh, lake). I would recommend taking a side tour of the Six Mile Marsh Prairie Trail. Well worth the detour.
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