New segment of Mill Towns State Trail now open; connects to city trail system south of Dundas
 Residents and visitors of Dundas can now walk, snowshoe, ski and more on a new 1-mile segment of the Mill Towns State Trail. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently completed the segment, which runs from the city’s trail network to just south of town. The new section makes the path about 4 miles long now.
“Mill Towns State Trail users have the opportunity to experience a mix of urban and rural landscapes as they explore the rich beauty of southern Minnesota,” said Craig Beckman, DNR Parks and Trails district supervisor. The paved trail is open for non-motorized uses. Snowmobiles and horses are not allowed.
Trail users can access the new segment of trail at multiple points, including two spots with parking at:
- Mill Park in Dundas at the trailhead parking area at the corner of Hester and Railway streets
- The gravel parking area just south of town off County Road 8
Funding for the new trail came from federal transportation grants, state general obligation bonds and the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund.
Future additions
Later this year, the DNR expects to complete work on another new segment from Northfield to the Waterford Historic Bridge in the 2026 construction season. When that project is complete, the Mill Towns State Trail will more than double in length to about 10 miles.
Segments from Faribault to Dundas and from Waterford Historic Bridge to Lake Byllesby Regional Park still need to be constructed to complete the trail.
When fully complete, Mill Towns State Trail would stretch to about 30 miles long. It would also connect with the Sakatah State Trail in Faribault and the Cannon Valley Trail in Cannon Falls, making for 85-90 miles in continuous trail from Mankato to Red Wing.
Anyone with comments or questions on Mill Towns developments can email [email protected] or call 507-676-2805. For more information and to get a trail map, visit the DNR’s Mill Towns State Trail webpage (mndnr.gov/milltowns).
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