Map of bike paths / walking paths in the Mendota, West St. Paul and South St. Paul area

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Recreational trails in Mendota Heights, West St. Paul and South St. Paul, Minnesota

The cities of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul and South St. Paul are all located in the greater Minneapolis - St. Paul urban area. In this area there are several recreational trails located along the Mississippi River and other paved pathways that follow major streets for bike riding, walking, running, enjoying the outdoors or commuting to work or to school. Many of the recreational trails in this area connect with other state and regional trails that head out to other parts of the Minneapolis-St. Paul urban area.

Samuel H. Morgan Regional Trail

The Samuel H. Morgan Regional Trail is a 9-mile long paved path located along the north bank of the Mississippi River. The trail follows alongside Shepard Road goes past numerous parks and other points of interest along the river. The trail also connects with many other trails in the area.

Read more about the Samuel Morgan Regional Trail

Big River Regional Trail

The Big River Regional Trail is located along the souhteast banks of Mississippi River on the west side of Mendota Heights. The trail stretches from Interstate 494 to Interstate 35E. The trail follows alongside Sibley Memorial Highway for much of its route.

Crosby Farm Park Trail

The Crosby Farm Park is located on the northwest bank of the Mississippi River to the southwest of the Interstate 35E bridge. The park can be accessed from Shepard Road. There is a paved path that wanders through the park and connects to other trails in the area.

Fort Snelling State Park Trails

Fort Snelling State Park is located to the west of Mendota Heights. The parks has paved and unpaved trails that link to the Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center has historical displays to teach visitors about the background on this area of the city.

Lilydale Regional Park Trail

Lilydale Regional Park is located northeast of the Interstate 35E bridge, on the south bank of the Mississippi River. The park can be accessed from Sibley Memorial Highway. The park has paved trails that extend for about 2 miles. The trail in the park connects to the Big Rivers Regional Park Trail on the southwest end and to the Harriet Island Regional Park on the northeast end.

Harriet Island Regional Park Trails

Harriet Island Regional Park is located along the south banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul.The park is situated between the Smith Avenue Bridge and the Wabash Street Bridge.

The park has nice views of the St. Paul skyline, the bridges and make a nice place for a stroll to watch the boats and barges floating along the river. The park has numerous paved paths and is the location for the Clarence W. Wigington Pavilion and the Minnesota Centennial Showboat. There is also an access bridge to get to Raspberry Island.

Mississippi River Trail

The Mississippi River Trail is a 12.2-mile long paved pathway that is located on the east side of Inver Grove Heights. This section is managed by Dakota County Parks and is one of many paved pathways along the Mississippi River in the Twin City area. The trail connects to other local trails at it north end. At its north end, the Mississippi River Trail goes past several local parks and travels through natural areas along the river and away from roads and traffic. There are great views of the boat traffic along the river as well as several locations to connect to streets that head to the west. The southern portion of the trail follows alongside Concord Boulevard and then alongside Courthouse Boulevard.

The Mississippi River Trail goes past the following points of interest (north to south): Simons Ravine Trailhead, Kaposa Landing Off-Leash Dog Park, Marinas, Old City Hall Park, the Old Rock Island Bridge and Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area.

The north end of the Mississippi River Trail is located at the Simon's Ravine Trailhead near Concord Street N and Butler Avenue in South St. Paul. The south end is located near 117th Street E in Inver Grove Heights.

Another 4-mile long paved section of the Mississippi River Trail is located to the south of Inver Grove Heights and just west of the community of Hastings.

Read more about the Mississippi River Trail

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails located in Mendota Heights, West St. Paul and South St. Paul, Minnesota.