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An urban wild trail in the Mississippi River Gorge, Fort Snelling State Park to downtown MPLS.


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Map Key

10.0

Miles

16.1

KM

93%

Runnable

849' 259 m

High

710' 216 m

Low

1,243' 379 m

Up

1,197' 365 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

40%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

West River Parkway under construction - expect detours. Other construction at St. Thomas boat house.

Description

From the Fort Snelling SP Visitor Center, head upriver to the Minnehaha Off Leash Recreation Area via the paved Minnehaha Trail. Pick your path through the dog park until the north end, then follow the riverbank trail to Minnehaha Park.

Skirt the Veteran's Home and lock and dam. Watch for singletrack re entering the forested bluff. Follow the singletrack along bluff exposures, through floodplain forest, over beaches, creeks and crumbled limestone. Resort to the Winchell Trail or paved parkway paths if to bypass any sections too challenging.

After Interstate 35, follow West River Parkway to University of Minnesota campus, St. Anthony Main Street, and your favorite happy hour establishment!

Contacts

Shared By:

Joe Jackson with improvements by BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  3.1 from 7 votes

#26350

Overall
  3.1 from 7 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#263

in Minnesota

#26,350

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,937 Since Apr 5, 2016
Intermediate

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Photos

Bluff exposure on the MSPT.
Apr 5, 2016 near Mendota…, MN
A spring-fed creek in the park.
Apr 5, 2016 near Mendota…, MN
End of the Minnehaha Creek Trail, at bridge 5, where Minnehaha Creek flows into the Mississippi River.
Feb 11, 2019 near Mendota…, MN
Heart carvings in the soft limestone walls
Feb 11, 2019 near Mendota…, MN
View of the turret.
Jun 24, 2015 near Mendota…, MN
View from where Minnehaha Creek spills into the Mississippi River. Facing east toward St. Paul.
Feb 11, 2019 near Mendota…, MN

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Check-Ins

May 20, 2022
Trevor Edie
Very wet. 12.8mi
Sep 22, 2016
David Lopez