HomeMinnesotaMankato › City of Mankato Sakatah Trail

City of Mankato Sakatah Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · Running trail in Mankato, Minnesota · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
40 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from City of Mankato Sakatah Trail'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.

Paved40 miOpen 24hScenicStroller / ADA

Trails wind through a ravine, and the area offers spots to rest and bike-repair tools.

What runners say about City of Mankato Sakatah Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (74 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Superior biking trail, great views and well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“In the early fall the yellow leaves covering the trail are beautiful and the flowing corn fields just puts the feeling of fall in your heart.”

One of the best 40 mile stretches via a completely paved trail. Very well maintained with a few spots that are bumpy. Elevation is only about 200ft overall from Mankota to Faribault.

★★★★★ — Rhonda , Sep 2023

This doesn't seem to be a safe place to park your vehicle to use the trail. Anytime I've stopped here, there seems to be a large marijuana odor coming from the trailer park.

★★★★★ — Alva , Apr 2022

Beautiful, lots of places to explore, some photos shown are off the beaten path. Can't wait to go back!

★★★★★ — Lynn , Jul 2023

Great walking trail. Good cover from sun at times. Peaceful and serene.

★★★★★ — Jeff , Aug 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 74 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“In the early fall the yellow leaves covering the trail are beautiful and the flowing corn fields just puts the feeling of fall in your heart.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“Mostly flat paved trails that also have benches to rest, along with bike repair tools at some locations.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 3 mentions

“One of the best 40 mile stretches via a completely paved trail.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“oh and wheelchair accessible as well!”

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Plan your run at City of Mankato Sakatah Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance40 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitemankatomn.gov
  • Phone+1 507-387-8600

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 City of Mankato Sakatah Trail

Mankato, Minnesota

Get directions

Running trails near Mankato

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

Trail Creek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Mankato, MN

2.1 miles away

Riverfront Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 493 reviews

Mankato, MN

Scenic

Riverside park featuring a playground, picnic tables, and public restroom, plus music concerts.

2.1 miles away

Hiniker Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 246 reviews

Mankato, MN

Paved

2.2 miles away

Spring Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 636 reviews

North Mankato, MN

2.4 miles away

Bluff Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

North Mankato, MN

ScenicDog-friendly

Quiet park, with trails, offering scenic views and native flowers.

2.6 miles away

Peacepipe Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 57 reviews

Mankato, MN

Shaded

Picnicking, play areas, and trails round out the offerings at this park.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Mankato, MN →

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.