HomeMinnesotaBurnsville › Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve

Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 99 Google reviews · Running trail in Burnsville, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
5 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve'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.

Mixed5 miLoopScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parking

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

What runners say about Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (99 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“It is a quick walk but it is very relaxing and beautiful, especially during the Spring and Fall when everything is changing!”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 4 mentions

“Great place to take your dog for a walk/run/jog!”

It’s a nice little nature area, tucked away. There is a paved access from one road to the other, kind of confused me. But the main trail is not paved, about a mile loop. It’s late summer now, so the grass is quite high so for much of the path there is limited visibility. However the bridge has a nice view.

★★★★☆ — Desiree , Aug 2019

This is a hidden gem in the city of savage. It is a nicely cared for trail that also adjoins the surrounding neighborhoods. It is pretty big, but small enough to get through on your lunch hour. There is a bike pump station too. Sturdy bridge through the center and an overlook spot. Ample parking.

★★★★★ — Sara , Mar 2022

Nice length trail for a walk or a light run - full loop is about 2 miles but you could probably stretch it to three by taking every little loop there is. The bridge through the water is a nice feature. There is also a nice section through the woods on the south end at the bottom of the hill.

★★★★☆ — Andrew , Sep 2020

Great place to walk your dog! Unfortunately a lot of people neglect to pickup their dogs mess!

★★★★★ — Peg , Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 99 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 9 mentions

“It is a quick walk but it is very relaxing and beautiful, especially during the Spring and Fall when everything is changing!”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“The docks are an added plus and the only negative thing I can think of is that SOME people do not pick up their dogs business after they are done.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 6 mentions

“You can link up to a paved trail as well - not sure where that goes as I have not taken it but could help create a longer path if one needed.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“There is a mulch trail on the other side of the parking lot that is .”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“Nice length trail for a walk or a light run - full loop is about 2 miles but you could probably stretch it to three by taking every little loop there is.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“This public park has great trails for walking with hard packed gravel and even a bike path.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“There is a really nice boardwalk over the wetlands as well.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

“5 mile nature walk with bridge over water where you can usually see turtles.”

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Plan your run at Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve

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
  • Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
  • 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.
  • Websiteburnsvillemn.gov
  • Phone+1 952-895-4521
  • Social Instagram

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 Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve

12799 Chowen Ave S, 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.

Hidden Valley Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 75 reviews

Savage, MN

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded recreational area with paved and less-groomed paths for hiking. Features include a playground, swings, slides, an archery range and a picnic shelter.

1.2 miles away

Savage Fen Scientific & Natural Area

4.2 ★★★★☆ 40 reviews

Savage, MN

ScenicDog-friendly

Kid-friendly nature preserve featuring trails.

1.4 miles away

Knob Hill Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 55 reviews

Burnsville, MN

Dog-friendly

Park with baseball fields, a playground, and basketball facilities, plus picnic tables.

1.6 miles away

Sunset Pond

4.7 ★★★★★ 401 reviews

Burnsville, MN

LoopPavedShadedScenic

Popular green space for walks, biking and picnics, with a playground and a pond.

1.7 miles away

Glendale Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 13 reviews

Savage, MN

1.8 miles away

Loftus Park

4 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews

Savage, MN

2.1 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.