HomeMinnesotaInver Grove Heights › Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

4.4 ★★★★☆ 174 Google reviews · Running trail in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)'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.

PavedScenicHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Paved trails and meadows alongside a river and woods, with benches.

What runners say about Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (174 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“You can walk down this ravine it's very steep but if you can make it to the bottom you're sitting right on the river it's a gorgeous view.”

Beautiful trail! Trails are blacktop and wonderful for biking and walking. There is a picnic area near the parking lot and benches on the trail. Great place to catch sunrise!

★★★★★ — Jennifer , Aug 2022

So powerful and outlook place. Perfect for jogging and nice for hiking

★★★★★ — Iurii , Jul 2024

This was a really cool trail lots of views from up top. You can walk down this ravine it's very steep but if you can make it to the bottom you're sitting right on the river it's a gorgeous view. Getting back up on the other hand was a little challenging. They also had a building with restrooms and picnic tables.

★★★★☆ — Shane , May 2025

Absolutely love to take my dog here and walk. It’s always quiet and scenic. It’s truly a hidden gem. What I love about this walking trail is in the parking lot by the restrooms there is a bowl at the bottom of the drinking fountains that fills up with water at the push of a button for your pets to drink from.

★★★★★ — Rachel , Aug 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 174 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 16 mentions

“This was a really cool trail lots of views from up top.”

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🚻 Restrooms 8 mentions

“They also had a building with restrooms and picnic tables.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“There is a picnic area near the parking lot and benches on the trail.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“You can walk down this ravine it's very steep but if you can make it to the bottom you're sitting right on the river it's a gorgeous view.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

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, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitemndnr.gov
  • Phone(651) 259-5800
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 12 AM–11:30 PM
Tuesday 12 AM–11:30 PM
Wednesday 12 AM–11:30 PM
Thursday 12 AM–11:30 PM
Friday 12 AM–11:30 PM
Saturday 12 AM–11:30 PM
Sunday 12 AM–11:30 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 Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

111th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077

Get directions

Running trails near Inver Grove Heights

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Wiklund Preserve

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All running trails in Inver Grove Heights, 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.