HomeMinnesotaBurnsville › MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead

MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 86 Google reviews · Running trail in Burnsville, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead'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.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAFlat & fastTrailhead parking

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

What runners say about MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (86 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

I'm glad there is another bike bridge across the river but it seemed like a wasted effort for the past few years when trail sections leading to the bridge were easily submerged in minor flooding. Cyclists use the bridge to get to work efficiently, not just for recreation.

★★★★☆ — J , Aug 2023

This paved trail was just finished late fall. My daughter is in a wheelchair so we have really enjoyed having another great trail. There are not any designated wheelchair parking spots, however there is a lot of space so I have had an okay time loading and unloading the wheelchair.

★★★★★ — Dareece , Dec 2020

This trail system is awesome! Right Along the river and well paved path!

★★★★★ — Drake , Aug 2022

This is one of the less busy lots to access the Mississippi River Bottoms. You can easily access the river for fishing or hit the paved paths for walking/biking/any form if non-motorized travel. The paths link up to a network if trails along the river.

★★★★★ — Emmet , Nov 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 86 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 7 mentions

“You can easily access the river for fishing or hit the paved paths for walking/biking/any form if non-motorized travel.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Excellent response from Dakota County and Fish and Wildlife on cleaning the trail and Black Dog Overlook.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“There are not any designated wheelchair parking spots, however there is a lot of space so I have had an okay time loading and unloading the wheelchair.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Excellent response from Dakota County and Fish and Wildlife on cleaning the trail and Black Dog Overlook.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 3 mentions

“My daughter is in a wheelchair so we have really enjoyed having another great trail.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Very nice, level paved trail along the Mississippi River.”

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Plan your run at MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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 — 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.
  • Websiteco.dakota.mn.us
  • Phone+1 952-854-5900
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 am–10 pm
Tuesday 5 am–10 pm
Wednesday 5 am–10 pm
Thursday 5 am–10 pm
Friday 5 am–10 pm
Saturday 5 am–10 pm
Sunday 5 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 MN River Greenway - Black Dog Trailhead

600 W Black Dog Rd, Burnsville, MN 55337

Get directions

Running trails near Burnsville

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

Minnesota River Greenway Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Burnsville, MN

under a mile away

Minnesota Riverfront Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews

Burnsville, MN

Paved

under a mile away

Minnesota River Bottoms Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 154 reviews

Bloomington, MN

MixedScenic

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

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.

1.8 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.

2.8 miles away

All running trails in Burnsville, 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.