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St. Olaf Natural Lands

4.7 ★★★★★ 9 Google reviews · Running trail in Northfield, Minnesota · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from St. Olaf Natural Lands' 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.

St. Olaf Natural Lands — running trail in Northfield, MN, photo 1
St. Olaf Natural Lands — running trail in Northfield, MN, photo 2
St. Olaf Natural Lands — running trail in Northfield, MN, photo 3
St. Olaf Natural Lands — running trail in Northfield, MN, photo 4
St. Olaf Natural Lands — running trail in Northfield, MN, photo 5
Open 24hQuiet

What runners say about St. Olaf Natural Lands

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (9 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“This is a nice area to enjoy peaceful nature.”

It's a wonderful nature walk. Peaceful, quiet, relaxing. Especially beautiful for summer and fall weather. But great all year round.

★★★★★ — Anna , Jun 2024

This is a nice area to enjoy peaceful nature. This is mainly used by locals (lots of St Olaf students) for walking, running and dog-walking. In winter, you can cross-country ski here (make your own tracks).

★★★★☆ — Eli , Aug 2021

Great place to walk around and enjoy nature by yourself or with friends!

★★★★★ — Alex , Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 9 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“This is a nice area to enjoy peaceful nature.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at St. Olaf Natural Lands

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • Websitestolaf.edu
  • Phone(507) 786-2222
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 St. Olaf Natural Lands

Ballfield Ln, Northfield, MN 55057

Get directions

Running trails near Northfield

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

Hauberg Woods

4.8 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Northfield, MN

Shaded

1.4 miles away

River Walk

4.8 ★★★★★ 25 reviews

Northfield, MN

Scenic

1.6 miles away

Heritage Park

4 ★★★★☆ 22 reviews

Northfield, MN

Simple park featuring a paved walkway, playground, basketball court & picnic tables.

2.1 miles away

Mill Towns State Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 67 reviews

Dundas, MN

PavedScenic

Tranquil park featuring ruins of an 1870s water-powered mill plus riverfront trails.

2.5 miles away

Carleton Arboretum North Trailhead

4.3 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

Northfield, MN

3.4 miles away

Cannon River Wilderness Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 103 reviews

Faribault, MN

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Hills and camp sites feature in this woodland site with trails, some of which link to an oak savanna.

5.8 miles away

All running trails in Northfield, 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.