Trails Report

Flooding on Long Meadow Lake Trail by Gina Hatch

Know before you go!

Trail Information

Hunting season is here! We encourage all trail users to take steps to be proactive about their safety during hunting season. We recommend visitors wear bright orange or pink during hunting seasons, and we always require pets to be leashed at all times.

For more information about hunting on the refuge, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Minnesota_Valley/hunting.html

Trail Conditions

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.

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.

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. 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. Branches and trees may overhang trail. Watch your footing.
Spur Trail	OPEN	This connection spur is open between Hillside Trail and Long Meadow Lake Trail. Some branches and trees may overhang the trail.
Long Meadow Lake Trail	OPEN	Vehicles and heavy equipment may be present. Trail may be muddy. Dismount bicycles and do not ride through mud to reduce trail damage.
Bass Ponds Loop	CLOSED	Construction work begins November 23, 2020 that will close this loop to the public through at least December 14, 2020. Please do not enter this area until it is announced as reopened.
Hogback Ridge Trail	OPEN	Watch for washouts and critter burrows between the Bass Ponds and Old Cedar Avenue
Old Cedar Avenue Observation Boardwalk	OPEN	Watch for loose or missing boards in boardwalk
Old Cedar Avenue Bridge/Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail	OPEN	This trail is managed by Three Rivers Park District
Bluff Trail	CAUTION	Eroding tread between Old Cedar Avenue parking lot and Bluff Trail trailhead. Watch your footing. Trail may be muddy in spots. 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	Cyclists exercise caution. Trail goes close to receding river bank. A section of the main trail is closed for maintenance just west of the Izaak Walton League Property. Use existing alternate route. Trail may be muddy. Dismount bicycles and do not ride through mud to reduce trail damage. Minimally maintained trail.
Minnesota Valley State Trail	CAUTION	Cyclists beware of broken pavement. Watch for downed trees due to beaver activity. This trail is managed by the Minnesota DNR
Burnsville Area (Black Dog Unit)
Cliff Fen Trail	CLOSED	Overgrown vegetation may make sections difficult to follow
Minnesota River Greenway	OPEN	This trail is managed by Dakota County
Shakopee Area (Wilkie Unit) It is hunting season! Trail users in this unit should plan to wear blaze orange or blaze pink, and stay on trail.
Minnesota River Trail	OPEN	Hikers and cyclists are advised to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.
Minnesota Valley State Trail	CAUTION	Cyclists beware of broken pavement and downed trees. This trail is managed by the Minnesota DNR
Shakopee Area (Louisville Swamp Unit) It is hunting season! Trail users in this unit should plan to wear blaze orange or blaze pink, and stay on trail.
Minnesota Valley State Trail	CAUTION	Minneosta DNR managed trail; The trail is currently closed from Chaska to Belle Plaine, including where this trail meets Middle Road and the State Access Trail. The paved portion from Chaska to Shakopee is open.
State Access Trail	OPEN	Parking at W 145th St. is open, and trail is accessible
Mazomani Trail	OPEN	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) It is hunting season! Trail users in this unit should plan to wear blaze orange or blaze pink, and stay on trail.
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 overgrown in areas and may be difficult to follow

Trail Maps

View or download trail maps (follow link, bottom of page)
Plan Your Visit to our trails and visitor centers

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.