Dakota Rail Trail

2011-04-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Dakota Rail Trail website! Please sign our guest book by posting a comment or question about the trail here!

A rider travels over the Arcola Bridge on the Dakota Rail Trail. Image courtesy Three Rivers Park District.

Follow the route taken by millions of bushels of wheat and grain, as they journeyed from Great Plains farms toward the flour milling centers in Minneapolis.

The flat trail takes you through communities bordering Lake Minnetonka and beyond. As you approach Wayzata you'll be teased by glimpses of sparkling water, which expand to panoramic views of the legendary lake. Except for the sound of your footsteps or clicking gears of your bicycle, you will hear the breeze blowing through cattails and willows. And those smells you can't quite identify? That's the scent of escape.

This 13.5-mile trail offers a spectacular view of Lake Minnetonka and follows the route of the former Dakota Rail Corridor through St. Bonifacius, Minnetrista, Mound, Spring Park, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, and Wayzata.

The Dakota Bike Trail is appropriate for hiking, biking, and dog walking.

Grand Opening of Phase II in Mayer

2011-04-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 21 · 10:00am - 1:00pm
Mayer Trailhead
For more info call Erin Anderson at (952) 466-5250

The Dakota Rail Regional Trail is a 44 mile former railroad corridor in the counties of Hennepin, Carver, and McLeod. A portion of the trail in Hennepin County at the City of Wayzata to the City of St. Bonifacius was constructed in 2008. In 2010 additional trail and bridge work in Hennepin County extended the trail form the City of St. Bonifacius to the Carver County line.

In Carver County, the Dakota Rail Regional Trail is 7 miles in length, extending from the east Carver/Hennepin county line near Lake Waconia to the City of Mayer. The Railroad corridor continues west through the City of New Germany to the McLeod County Line. Phase II of the trail project is planned for 2012.

Inaugural trail ride Ribbon cutting Camps info

Bring your bike, scooter, skateboard & helmet

Bike maintenance & safety checks

Bicycle demonstrations Bike safety clinic Refreshments

B I K E R O D E O

Saturday, May 21

10am—1pm

Mayer Trailhead

Dakota Rail Trail

At the intersection of CR-30 and TH-25

Kick off a summer of fun on the

Dakota Rail Trail!

For more information, call (952) 466-5250 or visit www.co.carver.mn.us/parks