Find the top rated atv trails in Mankato, whether you're looking for an easy short atv trail or a long atv trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a atv trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We hit about 30 yards or so just east of Chaska where the path was under water so probably not a great trail after heavy rains or springtime. Would also not be comfortable alone as a female as it’s very secluded and swampy around the trail. The ride was pretty easy and I would try it again with my husband going further past Chaska. Easy parking and nice start at Huber Park.
I was hesitant to ride today because of all the wind but this trail is so wooded it was perfect. It’s in decent shape but is beginning to show its age with quite a few cracks. The views were great following a river for quite a few miles and a few nice bridges to cross. I would recommend this nice trail for a lovely outing in Mankato.
We parked at Minneopa and did half the trail for a total of 6.3 miles round trip. You start by going uphill out of Minneopa which was really pretty, do a few smaller hills then there’s a killer hill shortly before Mt Kato. I did have to walk but my 20-year-old son conquered it. The prettiest part is in Minneopa and the rest parallels a road. The trail is in great shape though without any cracks.
My husband and I inline skate and we started in Morristown toward Mankato. The trail to Waterville was nice, but completely covered in sticks and leaves, making it very difficult to get through. It was slow going and pretty treacherous for blading. The scenery was beautiful, but we could hardly look at it because we were too busy avoiding sticks. The trail from Waterville to eagle lake (according to a sign) is hardly a trail. The asphalt is so rough we had to turn around after maybe 0.25 miles. The only part that was decent was from Morristown to Fairbault, but it still had a ton of debris. Overall, Waterville to Fairbault could be great because the trail was very smooth, but it was not well maintained. Don't even bother going past Waterville, unless you've got a mountain bike.
Enjoy beautiful lake views during this mile loop around Courthouse Lake.
The flooding from the past few years has definitely affected the enjoyment and access to this trail. We went in two different directions today. The paved portion was ‘okay’ but still slick with mud in spots and overrun with water in others. The non paved section was a cross country adventure. We finally gave up after a few miles of sand and mud. I think it will be hard for this trail to be consistently maintained given its proximity to the river.
I don’t know if the whole Trail is bad, but the start of it by valleyfair was touch and go of mud and we couldn’t continue biking very far at all.
The paved trail now goes into Lester Prairie and you can ride a mile or so in town on low traffic city streets. Also there are some nice rest stop areas and stores. One of my favorite MN trails to ride.
I'm giving this trail a one-star rating for it's current stage of chaos. Avoid it if you can. This is an otherwise great trail; however, the southwest light rail project makes it next to impossible to enjoy. I would avoid this trail until the project is done AND until the western end of the trail is repaired, which has been in disrepair for years!
Biked the Cannon Valley Trail and before going to the Cannon Falls trailhead, took the Mill Towns Trail to see what it was like. First part of trail is old and rough, and then you have to go on a dirt trail through a park and up a hill in class 5 rock before you get to the smooth, great trail by the fairgrounds. Wonderful ride that takes you past the beautiful waterfalls and dam at Lake Byllesby. Before the dam, if you go left, it's the Goodhue County park section of Lake Byllesby and the trail ends there. If you keep to the right, you cross the bridge and the dam and waterfalls from Lake Byllsbye are beautiful. Past the bridge you enter the Dakota County park section of the lake, and if you follow the path past the RV camping section, you get to the beach. Terrific beach with really nice bathrooms. Great trail - so glad we ventured off to bike it.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
