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Minnesota River Bottoms Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 154 Google reviews · Running trail in Bloomington, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Minnesota River Bottoms Trails' 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.

MixedScenicStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Scenic riverside area for hiking and mountain biking on paved and unpaved trails.

What runners say about Minnesota River Bottoms Trails

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (154 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“As, well as with the Universe and more of the Gorgeous Divine Family.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Really quiet and peaceful walking trail!”

Beautiful, quiet and natureful trail. I recommend parking at the Long Meadow Lake Trailhead and walking west about 3 miles. Well maintained trails inside a dense forest. When you reach the Minnesota River Bottoms Trail, turn left and head back along the River (first on paved trail, then packed dirt) 3 miles.

★★★★★ — Robert , Oct 2022

Walked the path that is used by the trail bikes. Pretty. Had a couple of deer on the trail.

★★★★★ — Brian , Jul 2022

This place is definitely top on my list of trails in Minneapolis lots of natural trails and even has a ferry to get across the river. Kids love it. Lots of sand due to the flooding but Always fun to get down there and ride

★★★★★ — D , Jun 2020

This is a great hiking/bike trail. It was shaded in some spots and sunny in others. Great for walking the dogs. It offers water access as well. I am looking forward to exploring this trail more.

★★★★★ — Redfox12 , Jul 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 154 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

“Love this place Absolutely Beautiful walking paths and nature”

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🛣️ Paved surface 7 mentions

“When you reach the Minnesota River Bottoms Trail, turn left and head back along the River (first on paved trail, then packed dirt) 3 miles.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Really quiet and peaceful walking trail!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“I recommend parking at the Long Meadow Lake Trailhead and walking west about 3 miles.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“Awesome, paved bike/walkways with a side dirt trail on the river banks, which keeps that mountain biking off-road theme easy difficulty.”

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🚻 Restrooms

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Minnesota River Bottoms Trails

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, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitebloomingtonmn.gov
  • Phone(952) 563-8700
  • 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 Minnesota River Bottoms Trails

11115 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420

Get directions

Running trails near Bloomington

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

Minnesota Riverfront Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews

Burnsville, MN

Paved

under a mile away

MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 86 reviews

Burnsville, MN

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a bridge for bikers and trails suitable for walking and fishing.

under a mile away

Minnesota River Greenway Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Burnsville, MN

under a mile away

Crosstown West Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 141 reviews

Burnsville, MN

MixedLitScenic

Green space featuring picnic pavilions, a gazebo and a playground for kids.

1.9 miles away

Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 99 reviews

Burnsville, MN

5 miLoopMixedScenic

Natural area with trails for walking, jogging, and skiing, as well as wildlife sightings.

2.6 miles away

Terrace Oaks West Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 355 reviews

Burnsville, MN

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park on 4 acres offering tennis & basketball courts, trails & a winter ice-skating rink.

3.0 miles away

All running trails in Bloomington, 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.