Minnesota River Bottoms - Mendota Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Unlike the other Minnesota River Bottom trails, this trail resides solely within the Fort Snelling State Park. The trail starts at the Sibley House Historic Site and runs SW to the Highway 77 bridge.

For the most part, the trail is flat. This section skirts between the river on one side and the floodplain on the other side. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for planes taking off and landing just overhead as you near the airport. The trail leaves the river near the Sibley House and runs along the bluffs. Under the Highway 55 bridge, seepage from the hillside may run across the trail, making for some damp, muddy spots.

To get to the north side of the river, either take the pedestrian bridge at Highway 77 or take the paved bike path at I-494. When the trail crosses under I-494, head east under the bridge to get to an abutment. From the abutment you can access the paved bike path. After crossing the river, the paved bike path dumps you out at the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.