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Brownie Lake Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 94 Google reviews · Running trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Brownie Lake Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHillyWaterTrailhead parking

Popular lake near the Cedar-Isles-Makaska chain with a beach and hiking trails.

What runners say about Brownie Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (94 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Hidden gem near Cedar Lake. Really nice beach to sit and read. Pretty and short walk all the way around (and connects to cedar via crossing over the train tracks). Easy spots to put kayaks in as well and connect to Cedar.

★★★★★ — Ava , Oct 2022

Part of the Chain I lakes, but lacks good access. I would love to Canoe here but you will need to either portage from the Street and down a hill. Or you will have start in Cedar Lake. Go with the Cedar Lake option.

★★★★☆ — Michael , May 2021

Bike trails for every skill level. You could easily spend the entire day at this location. They also have food near by

★★★★★ — D , Sep 2020

Went sledding had a great time hill is big enough to be fun but not so big you hate having to climb back up.

★★★★☆ — Cedrick , Jan 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 94 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“Went sledding had a great time hill is big enough to be fun but not so big you hate having to climb back up.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Cool little hidden lake accessible by water through a large drainage pipe.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

“Much has been installed and to reinstall asphalt a Bicycle Trail and Cedar Lake Road is a blessing in it's self.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚰 Water fountains

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Brownie Lake Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteminneapolisparks.org
  • Phone+1 612-230-6400
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Brownie Lake Park

3201 S Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55416

Get directions

Running trails near Minneapolis

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Lake of the Isles Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,992 reviews

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.