Trails Report

Flooding on Long Meadow Lake Trail by Gina Hatch

Trails are open year-round, from sunrise to sunset. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge trails range from rustic and wild to paved with more park-like amenities. Need help choosing your adventure? Check out the Visitor Activities page. As a reminder, off-trail travel is prohibited.

Trail conditions are updated as reports are submitted by Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge staff and volunteer trail rangers. Submit a trail report by emailing MinnesotaValley@fws.gov. Information about individual trails can be found below.

Trail conditions key:

OPEN	No obstacles, surfaces and trail edges are well defined, minimal user impacts.
CAUTION	Some obstacles may be present, trail tread may be uneven or trail edges may be overgrown.
CLOSED	Impassible; may be overgrown, flooded, or closed to public access due to safety hazard etc.

Conditions can change rapidly. Be sure to check back frequently for updates on conditions and closures! Click the city area headings to view trail descriptions and find links to maps.

Trail Name	Condition	Notes
Bloomington Area East (Long Meadow Lake Unit)
Hillside Trail	OPEN	Some gullies present. Watch your footing.
Spur Trail	OPEN	This connection spur is open between Hillside Trail and Long Meadow Lake Trail. Expect intermittent closures along the Long Meadow Lake Trail through April 2021. Please do not enter work zones while closures are in place.
Long Meadow Lake Trail	CLOSED	Xcel Energy is conducting maintenance work that requires a closure to all public access to the entire length of this trail. More information here. Closure will continue along the Long Meadow Lake Trail through April 2021. Please do not enter work zones while closures are in place.
Bass Ponds Loop	OPEN
Hogback Ridge Trail	OPEN
Old Cedar Avenue: Observation Boardwalk	OPEN
Old Cedar Avenue: Bridge/Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail	CAUTION	Expect work along the Long Meadow Lake Trail through April 2021. No access to Long Meadow Lake Trail from Old Cedar Avenue Bridge during intermittent closures. Please do not enter work zones while closures are in place. The Nokomis-Minnesota River Trail is managed by Three Rivers Park District
Bluff Trail	CAUTION	Water over trail between Old Cedar Avenue parking lot and Bluff Trail. Trail very icy. To access the Bluff Trail from the west at Lyndale Landing, use the new paved segment of the Minnesota State Trail. Cyclist reminder: Permanent closure to all cycling from Indian Mounds spur to Old Cedar Avenue parking area.
Bloomington Area West (Bloomington Ferry Unit)
Bloomington Ferry Trail	CAUTION	Cyclists exercise caution. Trail goes close to receding river bank.
Minnesota River Bottoms	CAUTION	This trail is groomed. NOTE: A small section of trail has been closed just east of the Bloomington Ferry trailhead due to receding river bank. Use alternate route and exercise caution where trail meets river bank. Trail is groomed from Lyndale Landing at 35W to Bloomington Ferry Bridge.
Minnesota Valley State Trail	CLOSED	Beginning December 28, 2020, the trail section under the Highway 169 bridge will be closed until March 2021 to all public access and pedestrian/cyclist use. For more information about the ongoing habitat restoration project within the Wilkie Unit click here. This trail is managed by the Minnesota DNR and crosses refuge lands.
Burnsville Area (Black Dog Unit)
Cliff Fen Trail	CAUTION	Watch footing around culverts and observation platform. Flooding has eroded trail tread. Do not attempt to cross.
Minnesota River Greenway	OPEN	This trail is managed by Dakota County
Shakopee Area (Wilkie Unit)
Minnesota River Trail	OPEN
Minnesota Valley State Trail	CLOSED	Beginning December 28, 2020, the trail section under the Highway 169 bridge will be closed until March 2021 to all public access and pedestrian/cyclist use. For more information about the ongoing habitat restoration project within the Wilkie Unit click here. This trail is managed by the Minnesota DNR and crosses refuge lands.
Shakopee Area (Louisville Swamp Unit)
Minnesota Valley State Trail	CAUTION	Minneosta DNR managed trail; The Minnesota Valley State Trail is closed from the Thompson Ferry Landing to Louisville Swamp. Construction will begin soon on the bridge connecting the state trail to Memorial Park in Shakopee. There will be periodic trail closures until June 2021 between Bluff Avenue East and Memorial Park.
State Access Trail	OPEN
Mazomani Trail	OPEN	This trail is groomed. Jabs Dike across Louisville Swamp is blown out and impassible. Please plan your trip accordingly.
Middle Road	OPEN
Duck Lane	OPEN
Chaska Area (Chaska Unit)
Chaska Lake Trail	OPEN
Levee Trail	OPEN
Minnesota Valley State Trail	OPEN	Minneosta DNR managed trail; Paved portion of this trail is open from Chaska to Shakopee
Carver/Jordan Area (Rapids Lake Unit)
Rapids Lake Trail	CAUTION	Trail overgrown. Area impassable, and use not recommended
Forest Loop Trail	OPEN
North Hunter Lot Trail	OPEN
Carver Creek Loop Trail	CAUTION	This trail is groomed. NOTE: Trail is overgrown in areas and may be difficult to follow

Winter Trail Etiquette

There are many ways to get outside and enjoy winter on our trails. From hiking and biking, to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, trails on the refuge are multi-use, and a little courtesy goes a long way!

Here are our top tips for winter trail etiquette:

Some trails are groomed for skiing and bicycling in the winter. Let groomed trails set up for a few hours before using them.
Keep up to date on trail conditions by bookmarking this webpage and referring to it before you set out on your visit.
Adjust your bike tire pressure down to increase floatation on snow, and minimize rutting of snowy trail surfaces.
Have fun, and be respectful!
Cyclists should yield to foot travel (hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing).
Leave trails in the same or better condition than when you found them.
Pick up trash and pack it out. Not all trailheads have public trash receptacles, so please plan on packing out pet waste and other trash generated during your visit.

Trail Maps

View and download trail maps and trailhead information from the maps page
Plan your visit to our trails and visitor centers. More information is available on the Plan Your Visit page.

Road Closures

Current information during flood events: Minnesota Department of Transportation http://www.dot.state.mn.us/flood/
Travel planning and current statewide road conditons: Minnesota 511 https://hb.511mn./org

Safety Reminder

Do not enter flood waters! If you encounter flooded trails, turn around. Flood waters can move quickly, erode trail surfaces, and be filled with debris. Do not try to walk or bike across flooded areas at any time.

During Minnesota's hunting season, it is strongly recommended that trail users wear an article of blaze orange/pink while visiting the following units: Wilkie, Louisville Swamp, St. Lawrence, Rapids Lake, Jessenland, and Blakely Units. Stay on the trail! For more information about hunting on the Refuge, visit our Hunting page.