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The Scenic River Trail doesn't actually provide any scenic river views, as its name implies. It does however connect to the Beaver Island Trail and the St. Cloud River Bluffs Regional Park, which do. The trail sits on a section of abandoned rail corridor that was originally part of the Minneapolis and Northwestern Railway Company, which also built the spur that is today, the Beaver Island Trail. Built in 1882, this railroad linked Minneapolis with Clearwater, south of St. Cloud.
The trail is paved along its whole length. It begins on 3rd Street and takes a direct route south while paralleling Cooper Avenue. Crossing University Boulevard, trail users will find themselves in McKinley Park. The trail continues its journey southwest along the old railroad right-of-way on the east side of Roosevelt Road/ County Road 75. This part is greener and more residential in character than the Cooper Avenue commercial corridor. At 22nd Street, the trail passes by Rail Road Park. Eventually, the trail becomes sandwiched between CR 75 and a frontage road up to near 33rd Street. At its southern end, the Scenic River Trail meets up with the Beaver Island Trail, which users can take into the River Bluffs Regional Park or north along the Mississippi River.
To reach the southern end of the trail near River Bluffs Regional Park from I-94, take Exit 171 for County Road 75/Roosevelt Road. Head 0.8 mile north on Roosevelt Road. Turn right onto 38th St. S. Parking will be on the left. Take the Beaver Island Trail up to 33rd S. S & CR 75to join the Scenic River Trail.
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