Stillwater, known as the ‘birthplace of Minnesota’, is a picturesque small town located on the St. Croix River, about 20 miles northeast of St. Paul. It’s a great spot for a destination run, with two important multi-use trails and some great parks. Note: see the Run Stillwater site for several great running events throughout the year.
St. Croix River. Flickr: jpgellen
St. Croix River Loop Trail. This is a wonderful 4.7-mile paved ‘rails to trails’ multi-use trail, fully separated from the roadway, that incorporates two states & historic bridges and some lovely running along the St. Croix River. Start in downtown Stillwater and run across the river to Wisconsin on the historic Lift Bridge, which is closed to vehicles. You’re now in Wisconsin! Next is a 600 foot, 0.7 mile climb to Main St. in Houlton. Rejoin the trail at Houlton School and follow the trail paralleling Highway 64 (not so scenic) over the St. Croix River Crossing Bridge. The final 1 mile is a more pleasant section of path along the St. Croix River. INFO
Add-Ons: Back in Stillwater, off Nelson St. take a short detour up the Stillwater Stairs to a scenic overlook. You can also add with some of the historic streets of the small downtown and pretty residential streets just west of town (especially south of Myrtle St.). You can also join the Brown’s Creek State Trail (below).
Brown’s Creek State Trail. Another ‘rails-to-trails’ multi-use trail that originates in downtown Stillwater. Also known as the Munger State Trail, this paved trail runs for 5.8 miles west to Grant, where it intersects with the Gateway Trail. The Stillwater trailhead is off Laurel St. E. The first 1 mile is north along the St. Croix River, with some nice water views. Then the trail heads west for 4.5 miles, through a mainly wooded landscape. INFO
Add-Ons:Millbrook Park, accessed at the 2.8 mile mark off Neal Ave., features a ~2 mile loop trail around fields and the edge of Twin Lakes. In Stillwater, you can also combine Brown’s Creek Trail with the St. Croix River Loop Trail (above). At the west end in Grant, Brown’s Creek Trail intersects with the Gateway Trail, an 18-mile multi-use trail that runs from Cayuga St. in St. Paul to Pine Point Regional Park.
Historic Stillwater. Stillwater’s small downtown features numerous historic buildings, and a marker for the ‘birthplace of Minnesota’ along Main St. To get your heart rate up, take the Nelson Stairs off Nelson St. to a viewpoint, and the Laurel Stairs to Pioneer Park. There are also some pleasant residential streets for running just west of downtown, both north and south of Myrtle St.
Stillwater, known as the ‘birthplace of Minnesota’, is a picturesque small town located on the St. Croix River, about 20 miles northeast of St. Paul. It’s a great spot for a destination run, with two important multi-use trails and some great parks. Note: see the Run Stillwater site for several great running events throughout the year.
St. Croix River. Flickr: jpgellen
St. Croix River Loop Trail. This is a wonderful 4.7-mile paved ‘rails to trails’ multi-use trail, fully separated from the roadway, that incorporates two states & historic bridges and some lovely running along the St. Croix River. Start in downtown Stillwater and run across the river to Wisconsin on the historic Lift Bridge, which is closed to vehicles. You’re now in Wisconsin! Next is a 600 foot, 0.7 mile climb to Main St. in Houlton. Rejoin the trail at Houlton School and follow the trail paralleling Highway 64 (not so scenic) over the St. Croix River Crossing Bridge. The final 1 mile is a more pleasant section of path along the St. Croix River. INFO
Add-Ons: Back in Stillwater, off Nelson St. take a short detour up the Stillwater Stairs to a scenic overlook. You can also add with some of the historic streets of the small downtown and pretty residential streets just west of town (especially south of Myrtle St.). You can also join the Brown’s Creek State Trail (below).
Brown’s Creek State Trail. Another ‘rails-to-trails’ multi-use trail that originates in downtown Stillwater. Also known as the Munger State Trail, this paved trail runs for 5.8 miles west to Grant, where it intersects with the Gateway Trail. The Stillwater trailhead is off Laurel St. E. The first 1 mile is north along the St. Croix River, with some nice water views. Then the trail heads west for 4.5 miles, through a mainly wooded landscape. INFO
Add-Ons:Millbrook Park, accessed at the 2.8 mile mark off Neal Ave., features a ~2 mile loop trail around fields and the edge of Twin Lakes. In Stillwater, you can also combine Brown’s Creek Trail with the St. Croix River Loop Trail (above). At the west end in Grant, Brown’s Creek Trail intersects with the Gateway Trail, an 18-mile multi-use trail that runs from Cayuga St. in St. Paul to Pine Point Regional Park.
Historic Stillwater. Stillwater’s small downtown features numerous historic buildings, and a marker for the ‘birthplace of Minnesota’ along Main St. To get your heart rate up, take the Nelson Stairs off Nelson St. to a viewpoint, and the Laurel Stairs to Pioneer Park. There are also some pleasant residential streets for running just west of downtown, both north and south of Myrtle St.
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Essentials
St. Croix Loop Trail: 4.7-mile (7.6 km) loop; Brown's Creek Trail: Up to 5.8 miles (9.3 km) one-way
Loop Trail has one 600-foot climb; Brown's Creek Trail climbs gradually over 391 feet headed west
Downtown Stillwater
Lowell Park is a good parking area/access point to the Loop Trail & Brown's Creek Trail
The signature run in Minneapolis. Run loops around adjacent Lake Bde Make Sa, Lake of the Isles, and Lake Harriet, with Cedar Lake as a bonus. Combine three lakes for a 10-mile loop. Lake views, parks, lovely homes, skyline views!
This scenic pathway stretches from Lake Harriet to Minnehaha Park from west to east. We recommend the 7.4 mile lake loop, including Lake Nokomis and the Minnehaha Parkway.
A scenic river run on paved along the mighty Mississippi from the Ford Bridge to the Washington Bridge. Full loop is ~9 miles, with shorter loop options. A highlight is St. Anthony Falls Stone Bridge!
A paved multi-use trail in Minneapolis that connects the Mississippi River Trails in the east to the Chain of Lakes paths in the west. It’s ~6 miles one-way through the heart of downtown, roughly paralleling Lake Street. Bonus: lit at night and cleared of snow!
Arguably the best choice for a lake run in St. Paul. The loop around the lake is 1.7 miles and for the longer run, connect to the trails in Como Park at south.
Summit Avenue stretches from the Mississippi River in the west towards St. Paul downtown. The tree-lined street and path passes the most prestigious homes in the city. Nice option to add on a jaunt to the State Capitol.
One can put together an interesting run in downtown St. Paul. Enjoy a jaunt along the Capitol mall and the pretty residential area to the east. Also several paths under the bridges: Upper Landing Park on the north side and Harriet Island Park on the south side.
A pleasant 3-mile paved path around the perimeter of this lake, located in northeastern St. Paul. There are water views for a good part of the loop. It is quite hilly in sections! Add another mile with a loop around Round Lake!
Beautiful park located near the airport. 18 miles of paved and gravel running trails including a great 3.6 mile route from historic Fort Snelling and around Pike Island.
Located in the heart of Bloomington, about 15 miles southwest from Minneapolis downtown. Offers great scenery of prairie landscapes and a major body of water. Various trails and options.
Paved multi-use trail that runs for 19 miles between St. Paul and Pine Point Regional Park. The trail becomes increasingly rural as you head north of the city, combining wooded sections with open parks and farmland.
63-mile 'rail trail' is a great way to access some of the beautiful countryside from near MSP. Combination of surfaces and terrain, from woodland to open fields. Runs from Plymouth to Cedar Mills, though there's access in Theodore Wirth State Park.
This 2,165-acre preserve, located 10 miles east of St. Paul, is a great spot for a destination run. 30 miles of trails over a gentle rolling hill landscape with a mix of lakes, woods, and prairie. Paved multi-use trails and more rugged, hilly trails.
It's worth the 1/2 hour drive from MSP to enjoy rolling hill running in these two popular park reserves. Good options for running on paved paths & also trail running. Open & wooded terrain.
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Essentials
St. Croix Loop Trail: 4.7-mile (7.6 km) loop; Brown's Creek Trail: Up to 5.8 miles (9.3 km) one-way
Loop Trail has one 600-foot climb; Brown's Creek Trail climbs gradually over 391 feet headed west
Downtown Stillwater
Lowell Park is a good parking area/access point to the Loop Trail & Brown's Creek Trail
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