Best running trails in Minnesota
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 216,673 reviews of Minnesota trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (235 in Minnesota do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 16 cities, 11 of them mixed, 1 a loop, 5 shaded, and 4 with a stated distance. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
Minnehaha Regional Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 11,113 reviews
This 193-acre riverfront park has miles of trails & a waterfall celebrated in a Longfellow poem.
Lake Nokomis Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,022 reviews
Popular park providing sailing, paddlesport rentals, concessions, a community center & playground.
Leif Erikson Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,418 reviews
Popular park along the Lakewalk featuring a small stage for events, a rose garden & water views.
Battle Creek Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,404 reviews
Busy park offering a summer aquatic center, pavilion, playground, off-leash dog area & paved trails.
Lake of the Isles Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,992 reviews
Path-lined park offers areas for ice skating, canoeing & picnicking, plus an off-leash dog park.
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,828 reviews
Scenic expanse of the Mississippi River with a dam & observation deck, picnic areas & hiking trails.
Central Park of Maple Grove
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,719 reviews
Urban park with a playground for all ages, plus a seasonal, interactive fountain & ice-skating loop.
Lake George/Eastman Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,716 reviews
Clean park at the city's center featuring a lake, hiking paths and playgrounds.
Quarry Hill Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,497 reviews
Peaceful natural area with a nature center, trails, wildlife habitats & educational programming.
Tamarack Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,371 reviews
Large preserve with hiking & cross-country skiing trails, plus a play area & orienteering course.
Carver Lake Park and Beach
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,082 reviews
Hiking, biking, archery, picnics & unguarded swimming are offered in this picturesque city park.
Veterans Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,034 reviews
Popular lakefront park featuring an outdoor pool, ice arena, mini-golf course & community events.
Westwood Hills Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 971 reviews
160-acre nature park featuring prairie, forest & marsh areas, with trails & an educational center.
Whitetail Woods Regional Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 958 reviews
Scenic park with trails bordering a lake, hills & wetlands, plus various water & snow sports.
Lakewalk
4.8 ★★★★★ 892 reviews
Popular lakefront walking area offering access to nearby restaurants & scenic views.
Fish Lake Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 879 reviews
This forested area offers fishing, swimming & boating in warm weather, plus snowshoeing in winter.
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 850 reviews
Dam featuring a walkway and scenic views along with paved trails for biking and hikes.
Victory Memorial Parkway
4.6 ★★★★★ 842 reviews
3.8-mile parkway featuring rows of trees & markers commemorating the area's World War I servicemen.
Rosland Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 824 reviews
Scenic 22-acre park known for a fountain in Lake Cornelia, with fishing, disc golf & a playground.
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 798 reviews
This mostly undeveloped area with multi-use trails is popular for bird watching & mountain biking.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Minneapolis, MN
- Running trails in Duluth, MN
- Running trails in Maplewood, MN
- Running trails in Brooklyn Park, MN
- Running trails in Maple Grove, MN
- Running trails in St Cloud, MN
- Running trails in Rochester, MN
- Running trails in White Bear Township, MN
- Running trails in Woodbury, MN
- Running trails in Richfield, MN
- Running trails in St Louis Park, MN
- Running trails in Farmington, MN
- Running trails in Coon Rapids, MN
- Running trails in Robbinsdale, MN
- Running trails in Edina, MN
- Running trails in Savage, MN