View of the Minnesota River – Hand-Pulled Bike Ferry loop from Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

View of the Minnesota River – Hand-Pulled Bike Ferry loop from Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Moderate

4.9

(9901)

9,902

riders

View of the Minnesota River – Hand-Pulled Bike Ferry loop from Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

02:15

24.6km

90m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: February 17, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 2.32 km for 276 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.23 km

Boat Ramp

Highlight • Rest Area

North side of the Minnesota River boat launch

Tip by

1.34 km

View of the Minnesota River

Highlight • Viewpoint

From this spot on the wide, gravel trail, you get great views of the Minnesota River. Also known as Mnísota Wakpá in Dakota, Minnesota River is a 332-mile-long tributary of …

Tip by

2.50 km

Path to the Nine Mile Creek Trail System

Highlight • Trail

This path apparently is for foot traffic only, according to sign on the south side of the Singletrack.

Tip by

4.39 km

Hand-Pulled Bike Ferry

Highlight • Bridge

There is now a "bridge" made out of a fallen tree with planks nailed to it and a rope hand rail.

Tip by

4.40 km

Self use rope "ferry" across Nine Mile Creek

Highlight • Structure

You can use this floating platform to ferry yourself and your bike across Nine Mile Creek, which is too deep to wade. Unfortunately for us, the ferry was dismantled for …

Tip by

12.5 km

Bloomington Ferry trailhead

Highlight • Parking

This is a big parking lot that gets you to a paved section of the Minnesota River Valley Trail, as well as the single track mountain bike trail that heads up to Fort Snelling State Park.

Tip by

14.7 km