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 October 2025

📷: Roger Jones, Paul Bunyan State Trail

Walk, Roll, or Ride on a State Trail! 🥾🚲🦼

There’s no better time to hit the trails than fall in Minnesota. Crisp, cool mornings, golden afternoons, and colorful stretches of trees make every walk and ride feel a little more magical. In this issue, we’re diving into state trails—from biking adventures to introductions of both paved and natural surface types, and even handy bike repair stations you’ll find along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off your wheels, fall is the perfect season to ride.

Find Your Path—State Trails Have it All! 🛣️

Miles of trail, countless ways to enjoy fall.

📷: Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Minnesota’s state trails are built for everyone—whether you’re exploring on foot, by bike, or with wheels. Most state trails are paved with smooth asphalt, making them a great choice for cyclists, rollerbladers, or anyone using mobility aids like wheelchairs, crutches, canes, or walkers. Many state trails were created from former railroad corridors, so they’re generally 8 to 12 feet wide with gentle grades—perfect for safe and easy travel.

But paved surfaces aren’t the only option! Some trails include stretches of gravel or natural surface, ideal for horseback riding, mountain biking, or a more rugged hiking experience. These routes wind through forests, across prairies, and along rivers, giving you the chance to connect with landscapes at your own pace. State trails aren’t just pathways—they’re connections. They link towns, parks, and natural areas across Minnesota, opening up opportunities for day trips, commuting, or longer adventures. Whether you’re heading out for a quick walk, tackling a long-distance ride, or saddling up for a horseback journey, you’ll find a trail that fits your style. This fall, pack your water, bring bug spray, and try something new on a Minnesota state trail. With a variety of surfaces and activities to choose from, there’s a way for everyone to enjoy the beauty of the season.

📷: Mill Towns State Trail

Choose Your Trail Type 🚵

Something for every kind of trail user.

Did you know that Minnesota's state trails have multiple surface types? While many trails are paved, others have a natural surface like grass or gravel. With so many miles of varied surfaces, your recreation options are endless!

Smooth Cruising on Paved Trails
Most state trails are paved, wide, and gently sloped—perfect for families, casual riders, or anyone looking for a relaxed outing. Trails like the Root River, Gateway, and Douglas let you glide past rivers, prairies, and small towns without worrying about traffic. With miles of smooth asphalt, these routes are ideal for both long rides and quick outings to enjoy the colors. Riders are also welcome on all paved state park roads, which makes it easy to combine a scenic bike ride with a park visit.

Exploring Natural Surfaces
If you’re looking for something a little more rugged, many state trails also feature unpaved sections. Most natural surface trails (such as grass or gravel) welcome mountain bikes, horseback riders, and hikers. The C.J. Ramstad/North Shore and Heartland trails are great examples, offering scenic stretches through forests and wetlands where you can trade smooth pavement for a more adventurous ride.

Mountain Biking Thrills in Parks For riders craving challenge and variety, Minnesota’s state parks deliver. At Jay Cooke State Park, twisting mountain biking trails wind through rocky terrain and forested hills. Meanwhile, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (right) has become a world-class destination for mountain bikers, with red-dirt trails carved through reclaimed mine lands, offering both beginner loops and technical challenges. Fat Tire Biking in Winter Once the snow flies, biking doesn’t have to stop. Some state parks and trails allow fat tire biking, where wide tires grip packed snow for a surprisingly smooth ride. Popular winter biking spots include trails at Fort Snelling and Split Rock Lighthouse state parks.

📷: Paul Bunyan State Trail in Bemidji

Bike-to-Town Adventures 🏙️

Connecting communities and cafés to parks and prairies. 

Pair a day outdoors with a spin into a nearby main street! Several Minnesota state parks and state trail routes make it easy to pedal to cafés, murals, and riverfronts. Check for maps on the DNR website or download a trail map from Avenza before you head out. Be sure to bring water and a bike lock and always wear your helmet!

Blue Mounds State Park → Luverne

Pedal six miles from Blue Mounds State Park to downtown Luverne on a paved path that winds past rolling prairie, grazing bison, and striking pink Sioux quartzite cliffs. Start your trip on the Lower Cliffline Trail in the state park and transition to the Blue Mounds Trail at County Road 18/134th Ave. The trail descends gently into town, leading to a main street lined with local cafés, a historic movie theatre, and an art gallery. 

Lake Bemidji State Park → Paul Bunyan State Trail

Start your ride at Lake Bemidji State Park and take the Paul Bunyan State Trail into the city of Bemidji for a scenic lakeside outing and an easy town loop. The Paul Bunyan, Minnesota’s longest state trail, anchors many classic northern bike trips. In Bemidji, stop for a photo with the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, enjoy a meal at a lakeside café, and meander through the downtown Sculpture Walk.

Brown’s Creek State Trail → Stillwater

Brown’s Creek State Trail is a 6-mile trail that was once a rail corridor, now offering a gentle ride from the city of Grant to Stillwater. The trail's western edge also connects with the Gateway State Trail, making it an excellent option for Twin Cities cyclists looking to extend their ride. Heading into Stillwater on Brown's Creek State Trail, you'll enjoy views of the old Stillwater lift bridge—an iconic spot for a photo. Once in town, reward yourself with a stop at a malt shop or wander Main Street’s boutiques, bookstores, and vintage candy stores. Stillwater’s riverfront park also often hosts live music and festivals.

📷: Glacial Lakes State Trail

Ride Right: Trail Etiquette on State Trails 🚸

Tips to ride safely and share the trail with all.

There’s nothing like a bike ride on a crisp fall day—golden leaves overhead, cool air on your face, and miles of trail stretching ahead. To keep the experience safe and enjoyable for everyone, here are a few simple tips to follow next time you head out.

Share the trail, respect all speeds

Not everyone moves at the same pace. Be courteous to people of all abilities, from young families to young-at-heart walkers. Slow down when trails are crowded and give others plenty of room. Remember, bikers yield to horseback riders and pedestrians!

Give a heads up

When passing another trail user, call out “on your left!” or give a friendly ring of a bell so others know you’re coming. While passing, it's also encouraged to say how many people will be passing by, such as "just me," or "four more coming." Families with kids, horseback riders, or people walking pets may need extra time to gather their group to the side of the trail, so extra notice is always appreciated.

Bright is best Fall colors may glow, but shaded curves and winding trail sections can make it harder to see what’s ahead. Wearing bright or reflective clothing helps you stay visible. Mountain bikers, in particular, should make themselves easy to spot when riding fast through wooded turns. Mind the crossings Remember—bicycles are considered vehicles in Minnesota and must abide by the rules of the road. At road crossings, follow all traffic signals, including stop signs and lights. Treat crossings with caution and keep your eyes up for motor traffic. E-bikes welcome Electric-assist bikes (e-bikes) and other pedal-assist devices are allowed on state trails, giving more people a chance to enjoy the outdoors—including those who might not otherwise be able to ride long distances. E-bike riders follow the same rules as everyone else: be courteous, keep speeds safe, and announce when passing. Pets on leashes Many people enjoy state trails with their pets, but for everyone’s safety, pets must be on a leash six feet or shorter at all times. Keeping pets close isn’t just courteous, it protects people who may be afraid of dogs, have mobility challenges, or be walking dogs that don’t react well to others.

📷: Bike repair station along the Heartland State Trail.

Fix It on the Fly 🔧

Over 30 free bike tune-up stations ready to help you keep rolling.

It happens to us all! Sometimes your bike needs a little attention along the trail. We've got you covered, with over 30 free bicycle tune-up stations situated along Minnesota state trails and in state parks. Each station is equipped with basic bike maintenance tools, including air pumps. Test your bicycle equipment before each ride and learn how to use repair tools for mechanical problems before hitting the trails.

Some improvements to consider are lowering your tire pressure for better traction control and setting a comfortable seat height to help keep your center of gravity on long downhills. The stations were purchased as part of the Pedal Minnesota initiative, which strives to make Minnesota the "Bike Friendliest State." Find the list of all bike tune-up stations and a map of stations on the DNR website.

New Segment of Minnesota Valley State Trail🌿

A new way to explore the river bottoms has arrived.

The Minnesota Valley State Trail in Bloomington just got a little longer. A 1.8-mile extension is now open, bringing the paved eastern segment of the trail to 3.5 miles. Perfect for walking, biking, and in-line skating, this new stretch also offers great access to birdwatching and shore fishing along the Minnesota River.

Located within the 14,000-acre Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, this 10-foot-wide trail creates a seamless connection to regional trail networks, linking to the Dakota County and Three Rivers Park District systems. The new segment was funded by the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund and a federal Recreational Trail Grant. It’s part of a larger plan to extend the Minnesota Valley State Trail west to the Bloomington Ferry Bridge. The next section, from Lyndale Avenue to Nine Mile Creek, is planned for construction in 2026 or 2027. Learn more and view a trail map on the DNR website.

New Trail Center and Sunset Trail Extension at Glendalough 🌅

Biking just got even better at Glendalough State Park!

This summer, Glendalough State Park opened its brand-new trail center, along with a paved extension of the popular Sunset Trail. The trail extension moves bike traffic off the park's main entrance roadway and onto a dedicated, parallel trail leading to the new trail center. It also connects to the 12-mile Glendalough Trail, linking the park to the city of Battle Lake. This new stretch makes it easier than ever for residents to bike to the park—or for park visitors to pedal into town.

The new trail center is ready to welcome riders with bike rentals, restrooms, and a year-round meeting and education space. It’s a perfect place to start your adventure, whether you’re picking up a rental bike, setting out on a fall color ride, or pausing to enjoy a lakeside picnic.

Think Ahead to Holiday Shopping 🎁

Do some of your favorite people love state parks? Don't miss your chance to get ahead on your holiday shopping! Many state parks have nature stores with merchandise including shirts, stickers, mugs, and more—but some of them close or have significantly reduced hours in the winter. Now is the perfect time to grab a few gifts during your next visit to a park. 

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