Hiking Project Logo

An easy trail under tall trees along the west bank of the Minnesota River.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

5.3

Miles

8.5

KM

Point to Point

793' 242 m

High

697' 213 m

Low

31' 10 m

Up

118' 36 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The trail is open year-round but sections along the river may be closed at times due to seasonal flooding. There are no fees or permits required. The trail can be accessed directly from East American Blvd or from the Bloomington Education & Visitor Center parking lot (free parking).

Description

This trail starts (as a gravel road) from E American Blvd. To access it from the Visitor Center, descend stairs to the Hillside Trail and then go right (southwest) on the Spur Trail to connect with the Long Meadow Lake Trail at the base of the bluff.

This trail is a wide, gravel, doubletrack road that travels through floodplain forest and marshlands, across the outlet from Long Meadow Lake, to the Minnesota River. It then follows along the river's main channel and a slough under the MN Highway 77 Bridge. The section of the trail between the Highway 77 Bridge and the Minnesota Valley State Trail has been paved to become a multi-use hike and bike path. The old dirt trail favored by MTB riders is still in place and can be a more interesting walk (with views of the river) than the paved path.

You can return: (1) the way you came, (2) continue on to a car shuttle parked at the Lyndale/Sorensen Landing Trailhead, or (3) double back to a car shuttle parked at the Old Cedar Ave Trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

This trail is in a National Wildlife Refuge that attracts thousands of waterfowl annually. Some are seasonal migrants, while others are residents that nest and forage in the refuge's extensive marshlands and forested areas.

Contacts

Shared By:

BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#45763

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#526

in Minnesota

#45,763

Overall
0 Views Last Month
0 Since Nov 3, 2023
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Passing the marshlands in winter.
Nov 3, 2023 near Bloomin…, MN
A huge, very old maple tree in the floodplain forest.
Nov 3, 2023 near Eagan, MN
The floodplain forest in winter.
Nov 3, 2023 near Bloomin…, MN
On the Long Meadow Lake Trail in late fall.
Nov 3, 2023 near Eagan, MN

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 30, 2025
BK Hope
Nov 2, 2023
BK Hope
Mar 13, 2023
BK Hope
Nov 12, 2022
BK Hope
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.