Home › Minnesota › Elk River › South Orrock Trailhead
South Orrock Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · Running trail in Elk River, Minnesota · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of South Orrock Trailhead yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.
What runners say about South Orrock Trailhead
“This forest is very scenic in parts, but scrubby elsewhere.”
Excellent trails. Sandy and beautiful. Nice variety. Smells wonderful on hot days. Barefoot adventurers beware, spike balls in the sand. Go earlier in the year to reduce exposure.
This trailhead is for the horseback/hiking trails in the southeastern part of Sand Dunes State Forest, which are more geared toward riders than peds. There's a fair amount of grade, and the sand is sometimes very deep. You technically need a horse pass from the MN DNR to ride. Hiking (and parking for it) is free.
Serves its purpose whether a dispersed camper, horseback riding or hiker. Latrine closet with RV/Travel Trailer blackwater dump at the side, drinking water well head with manual and electric pump (provide your own power), and equine staging area.
Nice day for a horse back ride we did 6.8 miles from south orrock I did not realize that you could ride soo long over there!
Trail conditions & character
“This forest is very scenic in parts, but scrubby elsewhere.”
“This trailhead is for the horseback/hiking trails in the southeastern part of Sand Dunes State Forest, which are more geared toward riders than peds.”
Plan your run at South Orrock Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late 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 — reported by runners
- Websitednr.state.mn.us
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Elk River
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Sand Dunes State Forest
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Woodland Trails Regional Park
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