Biking Trails in the Twin Cities Gateway
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are well known as one of the best metropolitan areas for biking in the USA. In the Twin Cities Gateway, biking enthusiasts will find a vast paved trail network with connections to iconic bike trails like the Mississippi River Trail. Other must-ride trails include Rum River Trail in Anoka, Coon Creek Regional Trail in Coon Rapids and Rice Creek Trail, shared by Fridley, New Brighton, Shoreview, Mounds View and Lino Lakes.
The Mississippi River Trail starts at the headwaters at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and passes through the Twin Cities Gateway before flowing to the mouth of the Mississippi in Venice, Louisiana. While riding along the river you’ll pass many scenic vistas, so make sure your camera is fully charged.
You can take the Rum River Regional Trail down to the MRT, maybe stopping in historic downtown Anoka along the way. There are also the scenic trails in Bunker Hills Regional Park offering heavily wooded and prairie flower landscapes. Or, take the thrilling Coon Creek Regional Trail that connects to the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park and the MRT with Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Rum River Regional Trail Coon Creek Regional Trail Bunker Hills Regional Park
The City of Shoreview itself offers 85 miles of bike trails and bike paths that link to parks, shopping and other trail networks.
For more extensive rides you can also explore the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Trail, or take the Rice Creek West Regional Trail back to the Mississippi River. This trail passes through Long Lake Park which has several adjoining trails that pass by Long and Rush Lakes. Other options include the trails in the Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park where riders may catch a glimpse of deer, red fox or waterfowl among a mix of wetlands and forest, right next door to Saint Paul.
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Trail Rice Creek West Regional Trail
No address available
Length: 4.0 miles
Rating: 5/5
Surface: Asphalt
No address available
Length: 4.9 miles
Rating: 4.5/5
Surface: Asphalt, crushed limestone
No address available
Length: 4.9 miles
Rating: 1/5
Surface: Asphalt
No address available
Total Length: 9.3 miles (not including gaps)
Average Rating: 2.5
Surface: Asphalt
No address available
Total Length: 10.4 miles
Total Average Rating: 4/5
Surface: Asphalt
No address available
Length: 16.0 miles
Rating: 3/5
Surface: Mostly asphalt, some on-road
