Ready to explore this trail?
View Trail Map in AppThe trail is open year-round but sections along the river may be closed at times due to seasonal flooding. There are no fees or permits required. The trail can be accessed directly from East American Blvd or from the Bloomington Education & Visitor Center parking lot (free parking).
Path Type
Point to Point
This trail starts (as a gravel road) from E American Blvd. To access it from the Visitor Center, descend stairs to the Hillside Trail and then go right (southwest) on the Spur Trail to connect with the Long Meadow Lake Trail at the base of the bluff.
This trail is a wide, gravel, doubletrack road that travels through floodplain forest and marshlands, across the outlet from Long Meadow Lake, to the Minnesota River. It then follows along the river's main channel and a slough under the MN Highway 77 Bridge. The section of the trail between the Highway 77 Bridge and the Minnesota Valley State Trail has been paved to become a multi-use hike and bike path. The old dirt trail favored by MTB riders is still in place and can be a more interesting walk (with views of the river) than the paved path.
You can return: (1) the way you came, (2) continue on to a car shuttle parked at the Lyndale/Sorensen Landing Trailhead, or (3) double back to a car shuttle parked at the Old Cedar Ave Trailhead.
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