Find the top rated atv trails in New Ulm, 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.
Beautiful views of the lake. Rode twice to get 10 miles!
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.
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.
We have just gotten into biking this summer so there are lots of trails we’d like to visit. But we keep coming back to Dakota Rail, it’s a short drive from where we live and it’s beautiful. Scenery varies from lakes, wetlands, woods and farmland. There are a couple of miles of really rough asphalt but worth it to us. We stopped to eat at Knuckleheads in Mayer and had a great burger for a very reasonable price. They do not have a bike rack though.
from shakopee to chaska no longer underwater but 2 trees down across the trail
It's a nice, well-maintained trail that goes around the lake.
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.
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.
I attempted this trail for the first time last week. I agree with one of the reviews where the beginning point in Belle Plaine is tough to find. The parking lot is may be enough for three or four cars gets washed out dirt all rutted. After unloading my bike, I went to what appeared to be the entrance completely overgrown with weeds. My E bike gives me 40 miles to a battery. I tried going through just a mile and coming back, a total of 2 miles, it used up 25% of my battery due to so much mud. It would be perfect for a gas dirtbike. Not worth a trip.
As the last reviewer said "it's a horrible trail". Lots of bumps, ruts, cracks, etc. The main trailhead in the downtown area is very nice, you do go thru a nice park eventually and it connects to a couple of other trails. Probably better to start at the other trails or parks in the first place. Until this trail gets re-paved, better to avoid it.
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