Minnesota River Bottoms - Lyndale Ave to 11th Ave

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

There are two trailheads for this trail: one at the end of Lyndale Ave. and one at 11th Ave S.

From the Lyndale parking lot, head East from the boat launch and follow the trail that hugs the river bank. Occasionally, the singletrack will briefly connect up with a doubletrack trail when it needs to cross culverts and streams. Eventually, you'll come to an intersection where the trail splits into three. There's doubletrack on the left that leads uphill to a residential area. There's singletrack to the right that continues to hug the river bank. To continue on this trail, take the middle singletrack.

From 11th Ave S., enter the trail at the SW corner of the school field. Descend the wide, crushed rock doubletrack. As the trail crosses a stream, look for the singletrack to start on your right.

Here, the Minnesota River Bottoms trail gets more interesting. It changes character from flat and flowing by the river bank to hillier with small to medium climbs as the trail hugs the valley bluff. Keep an eye out for hikers and fellow cyclists while descending the many grade reversals. Off shoot trails branch off to the left and generally lead to access points on top of the bluffs. Keep to the right to continue on the trail.

Eventually, you'll come across an old park. They've recently reseeded grass in the area where there used to be a parking lot. There are still old picnic tables and fire pits in the woods. Shortly after the picnic tables, you'll reach a creak and crushed rock doubletrack on the left that leads uphill. Follow the doubletrack to 11th Ave S. There is a trail across the creek that looks like singletrack, but that is off limits to bikes. The area to the left is a bird sanctuary and is limited to hikers and bird watchers. There are no signs, so use the photo as a point of reference.

The land on which the trail is located is actually managed by several organizations:
National Park Service -Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/…

National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
fws.gov/refuge/minnesota_va…

MN DNR - Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
dnr.state.mn.us/state_par..…

City of Bloominton
bloomingtonmn.gov/