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First Bridge Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 83 Google reviews · Running trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from First Bridge 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.

Natural surfaceLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyWaterTrailhead parking

Park featuring a river, walking, biking, and opportunities to learn about history.

What runners say about First Bridge Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (83 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Tons of bench space to sit and the view of the city is stunning.”

Lovely walk by the river in May. The bridge is stunning. You will find some details here and there. Cute.

★★★★☆ — Sari , May 2024

Great area to walk and enjoy the river. Wonderful local restaurants to stop and enjoy a meal.

★★★★★ — Tina , Jul 2021

Great scenery and relaxing. A nice long walk. If only people didn't think of the entire walking path as their personal bathroom!! We saw three separate men taking a leak right off the sidewalk! Like, we walked around them!! Pretty bad when there are plenty of portlets along the path.

★★★★☆ — Erik , Apr 2023

Small park along the trail. It's definitely a good use of the under bridge space, but there isn't much here. So it's a nice place to see as you follow the trail, but not really a destination in itself.

★★★★☆ — Zach , Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 83 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 8 mentions

“Tons of bench space to sit and the view of the city is stunning.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

“Small little park at the base of the bridge with a walkway for families and dog owners.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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💡 Lit for night running

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🚰 Water fountains

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at First Bridge Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • 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 First Bridge Park

1 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Get directions

Running trails near Minneapolis

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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.