Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail
The Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail is an aggregate trail that follows an old railroad route from Hopkins to Chanhassen and Chaska. The trail offers views of Shady Oak Lake, Miller Park, Riley Lake Park and the forested hills around the Minnesota River Valley. Trail connections to downtown Hopkins and downtown Chaska make this corridor ideal for exploration.
9.2 miles | Aggregate
Interactive Map of Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail
Trail Detours in Eden Prairie & Hopkins
Detours in Hopkins
Two segments of the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail in Hopkins are detoured.
- Between 11th Avenue South and Shady Oak Road, the trail is detoured via 11th Avenue South, Excelsior Boulevard and Shady Oak Road. This trail segment is expected to reopen in 2024.
- The trail is closed between 5th Avenue South and 8th Avenue South. A detour will be in place for approximately two and a half years.
Both detours are due to the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) construction project.
Trail Open In Chanhassen
Hennepin County is wrapping up repair work from the slope failure on the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail in Chanhassen. Temporary safety fencing is in place and the trail is open!
Permanent fencing will be installed in the next several weeks and may require one-day closure(s) for that work. The timing of this installation is unknown and dependent on fence material delivery. We appreciate your patience as the county completes the final details of the repair project. Please respect any temporary closure signage, fencing or barricades put in place.
The future of the trail
The trail has historically been operated by Three Rivers under an interim use permit through HCRRA. HCRRA has agreed to sell the portion of the corridor in Carver County to Carver County, which gives the trail a permanent home and protects over 60 acres of prime natural resources in the river bluff area. Three Rivers will turn over the operations and maintenance of the Carver County portion of the regional trail to Carver County upon the completion of the acquisition next spring. Acquisition funding was made possible through a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Updates and details on the trail reconstruction project are available on Hennepin County’s website.
Trails that Connect
It pays to be nice! Learn how to Share the Trail with bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Winter Plowing
Over 100 miles of the regional trail system are maintained in the winter, generally from mid-November through March. This is achieved through a partnership between Three Rivers and local cities.
The Minnesota River Bluffs Trail is plowed in Chanhassen, Eden Prairie (from Highway 62 to Riley Lake Road), Hopkins and Minnetonka. See complete winter trail maintenance information.
Volunteers Needed
Become a Park Patroller. Help park guests and enjoy the outdoors! Learn more about becoming a park patrol volunteer.
Related Blog Posts
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Could you ride your bike every day for 30 days straight? Learn about the joys and perils of biking daily in April in Minnesota in this firsthand account, then make a pledge to join #30daysofbiking.
Sustainability Thread: Climate Conversations
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With more than 27,000 acres of land, visitors and staff see changes every day in our parks and on our trails. Much of what our staff has noticed has been a transformation in our weather and climate. Join the conversation.
Sustainability Challenge: World Car Free Day
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World Car Free Day, held September 22, is an annual day with the goal of encouraging a world less reliant on cars. Read on for ideas to ditch your vehicle and challenge yourself to see if you can go car-free for one day.
Things To Do
Biking
Biking in Three Rivers is a great way to get the whole family outside. Whether you’re the casual rider or a cyclist in training, you’ll appreciate more than 240 miles of off-roadway bike/hike trails that wind through woodlands and grasslands and rim the shorelines of lakes and ponds at our parks.
Dog Trails
Three Rivers offers abundant scenery for you and your dog to enjoy year round, with paved, turf, regional and skijoring/dog sledding trails that are dog-friendly. Dogs must be on a six-foot non-retractable leash unless in a designated dog off-leash area. Owners must pick-up after their dogs.
Hiking
One of the best ways to explore year-round is to head out for a hike on the extensive trail system in Three Rivers. Trails wind through the woodland, grassland and wetland habitats of many species of wildlife. You’ll be amazed at what you might see along the way.
Please note: In winter, hiking on cross-country ski trails is not permitted.
