Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a sprawling urban refuge covering over 14,000 acres along 70 miles of the Minnesota River. This diverse landscape features prairies, wetlands, bottomland forests, and other woodlands, providing critical habitats for wildlife. The refuge offers extensive opportunities for outdoor pursuits, including several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging, connecting visitors with nature within the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife…
49
Routes
4.6
(29)
Average rating
220
People visited

3.0
(1)
6
hikers
4.46km
01:09
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
6.19km
01:35
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

16.1km
04:08
90m
50m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.18km
00:34
0m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
24
riders
45.7km
02:44
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
12
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
44.4km
02:44
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
4
riders
16.6km
00:59
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
15
riders
46.3km
02:24
190m
190m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

11
riders
30.8km
01:22
170m
170m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

9
riders
33.9km
01:25
110m
110m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
66.5km
03:08
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3
runners
7.01km
00:44
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
8.10km
00:50
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
5.13km
00:32
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
8.07km
00:50
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The refuge features over 45 miles of trails suitable for different experience levels. It provides opportunities to explore diverse landscapes such as prairies, wetlands, and bottomland forests.
Yes, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has an extensive trail system for hiking. Visitors can find detailed information and routes in guides like Hiking in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. These trails traverse river bluffs, floodplain forests, and prairies.
Cycling is a popular activity in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, with options for both road cycling and touring cycling. Many trails are multi-purpose, accommodating cyclists. Guides such as Road Cycling Routes in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Cycling in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge provide route information.
Yes, the refuge offers trails suitable for all experience levels, including easy and family-friendly options. Specific guides like Easy hikes in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Family-friendly hikes in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge are available. These trails allow visitors to enjoy nature in a relaxed setting.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge features more than 45 miles of trails. These trails connect people with nature across its 14,000 acres. The extensive system caters to hikers, joggers, and cyclists, offering diverse routes through various habitats.
The refuge's diverse habitats, including prairies, wetlands, and forests, support a wide array of animals, waterfowl, and migratory birds. It was established to protect habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Visitors can observe various species in their natural settings.
Yes, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge provides suitable terrain for jogging on its extensive trail system. Runners can find detailed route information and plan their outings using resources like Running Trails in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Many trails are multi-purpose and welcome joggers.
The refuge spans 70 miles along the Minnesota River, encompassing prairies, wetlands, bottomland forests, and other woodlands. Notable features include large marsh areas and lakes like Blue, Rice, and Fisher Lakes. The Long Meadow Lake Unit offers 11 miles of trails through lakes, ponds, and floodplain forest.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is highly accessible, with many trailheads located just minutes from public transit and urban centers. This urban refuge connects the Twin Cities metropolitan area with nature. It offers a convenient escape for outdoor enthusiasts.
The official website for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is part of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website. It can be found at www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley. This site provides comprehensive information about the refuge.
The main phone number for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and Bloomington Education and Visitor Center is 952-854-5900. For the Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center, the phone number is 952-361-4500. These numbers can be used for inquiries.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 400 visitors sharing their experiences. Routes in the refuge have an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Yes, electric-assist bicycles are permitted on the multi-purpose trails within Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This policy makes cycling accessible to a wider range of visitors. The refuge aims to accommodate various forms of outdoor recreation.

