Minnesota Bike Trails

The Mississippi River Bike Trail begins in Itasca State Park and gives riders an up close experience of Minnesota's North Woods. You will travel through small towns like Bemidji, where you will find bike-friendly services and accommodations. The trail eventually leaves the less populated regions and approaches the Minneapolis/St. Paul urban area. Hundreds of miles of trails connect through the Twin Cities to dozens of city parks and natural areas. Continuing along the USA's second longest river, the Mississippi River Trail winds all the way from the Mississippi river headwaters near Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

Casey Jones State Trail: One of the first Minnesota state trails. This 14.5 mile trail connects tallgrass prairie, wooded ravines and the Lake Shetek area. Points of interest include Walnut Grove(of the Laura Ingalls Wilder stories fame), railroad artifacts in Currie and Tracy, wind towers, and the pipestone quarries in the Pipestone National Monument.

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail: This 39 mile bike trail will take you through the Mankato and Faribault area. Sakatah Lake State Park, and several other lakes and public parks along the trail, are within an easy ride of this trail.

Blazing Star State Trail: A 20 mile bike trail in the Albert Lea and Austin, Minnesota areas. Points of interest include Myre-Big Island State Park, Big Island State Park and Hayward.

Bluffland Trail: A 60 mile trail that encompasses the areas near Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson and Rushford. The two segments of this trail include the Harmony-Preston Valley segment and the Root River segment. Bike wooded areas surrounding Watson Creek, the South Branch of the Root River, and Camp Creek. The Root River portion of this trail offers dramatic views of the river carved blufflands of southeastern Minnesota.

Douglas State Trail: This 12.5 mile trail will take you through rural agricultural land near Rochester, Douglas and Pine Island. Other area attractions include the Zumbro River Water Trail and the R.J. Dorer Hardwood Memorial State Forest.

Heartland State Trail: Forty-nine miles of biking trails on which you can explore the northern Minnesota areas near Park Rapids, Cass Lake and Walker. Enjoy views of our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams. Pass through northern hardwood and pine forests. Watch for Minnesota wildlife and birds in this area that includes the Chippewa National Forest.

Paul Bunyan State Trail: 110 miles of bike trail in the Brainerd, Baxter and Bemidji areas. Discover Minnesota logging and railroad history. Visit areas rich in native Ojibwe and Dakota tradition. When completed, the Paul Bunyan State Trail will connect with the Blue Ox Trail forming one of the longest rail to trail conversions in North America - 210 miles.

Central Lakes State Trail: Start out in Fergus Falls and bike this 55 mile long trail to Osakis. Experience Minnesota prairie lands, rolling hills, lakes and forests. Historical attractions include the Seven Sisters Prairie, a group of seven, glacially-produced knolls and the Kensington Rune Stone, dated 1362, from famed Norse adventures into Minnesota.

Lake Wobegon Regional Trail: This 46 mile long bike trail connects from the Central Lakes Trail and extends from the city of St. Joseph to the city of Osakis. The trail also has an extension on the west side of Albany heading northeast to Holdingford and beyond.

Arrowhead State Trail: This 135 mile long trail extends from the intersection with the Taconite State Trail (near Tower) to 3 miles south of International Falls. The southern and northern parts of the Arrowhead trail are very different. In the south you will find rolling hills, forests, lakes and streams. The northern portion of the trail is more flat and some portions may have standing water in the summer. Points of interest in this area include the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Bear Head Lake State Park, Kabetogama State Forest, Sturgeon River State Forest, Bear Island State Forest, the Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail: This partially completed bike trail offers North Shore of Lake Superior vistas. The trail will eventually connect on 86 miles between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. Area attractions include 5 state parks, scientific and natural Areas and the beaches of Lake Superior.

North Shore State Trail A 146 mile North Shore trail from Duluth to Grand Marais. Portions of this trail are primarily used by snowmobilers. The portion of the trail suggested for summer use are the 70 miles from the town of Finland to Grand Marais. The remainnder of the trail may have standing water on it during the summer. This Minnesota bike trail offers a backcountry experience, wilderness conditions on some portions and some of the most beautiful scenery in Minnesota. Nearby attractions include 6 state parks, the Finland State Forest, the Cloquet Valley State Forest, the Pat Bayle State Forest, the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Taconite State Trail: 165 miles of trail from Grand Rapids to Ely. The Taconite state trail intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail west of Lake Vermillion. Area attractions include three state parks, the George Washington State Forest, Sturgeon River State Forest, Bear Island State Forest, the Superior National Forest, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Chippewa National Forest.

Willard Munger State Trail 63 Miles of interconnecting multiple use trails from Hinckley to Duluth. This completely paved trail is the longest paved trail in the world. Enjoy the picturesque scenery and rich history of East Central Minnesota. Area attractions include Banning State Park, Moose Lake State Park, Jay Cooke State Park, St. Croix State Park, Chengwatana State Forest, St. Croix State Forest, Nemadji State Forest and General C.C. Andrews State Forest.

Glacial Lakes State Trail: 40 Miles of trail in the Willmar, Spicer, New London, Hawick and Richmond areas. Bike through gently rolling hills, virgin prairie, wetland and lake areas, and some woodland areas. Area attractions include Sibley State Park, Roscoe Prairie SNA, several wildlife management areas and the New London Fish Hatchery.

Luce Line State Trail: 63 miles of trail connecting Plymouth, Winsted, Hutchinson, Cedar Mills and Cosmos, Bike through both metropolitan and rural Minnesota areas. Explore the Big Woods and remnants of tall-grass prairie.

Shooting Star State Trail: This trail begins in the city of LeRoy in Mower County and travels north through Lake Louise State Park. It then heads west towards Taopi, allowing trail users to experience a rural landscape. Area attractions include Lake Louise State Park,the Rustic Retreat Wildlife Management Area, Shooting Star Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, and the Mower County Natural and Scenic Area.

Don't forget to pick up your
Minnesota Bike Trail Guidebooks.

Get Your Wheels Spinning

More Information about Minnesota Bike Trails from the DNR

State Bike Trails Overview Map


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