Trails
Updated November 7, 2026
Trails
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge offers close to 50 miles of trails along the Minnesota River from Bloomington to Henderson.
Learn more about the trails and current conditions below. Download one of the following trail maps to print or save to your device.
Downloadable Trail Maps
- Long Meadow Lake and Black Dog Lake Units trail map at Bloomington and Burnsville
- Bloomington Ferry and Wilkie Units trail map at Bloomington and Shakopee
- Rapids Lake, Chaska and Louisville Swamp Units trail map at Chaska, Carver and Jordan
Georeferenced Trail Maps
Download a georeferenced trail map to use on apps like Avenza, to track your location without using internet or network connection. Directions to download and add to your mobile device when you click any of the following trail maps.
- Long Meadow Lake and Black Dog Lake Units trail map at Bloomington and Burnsville
- Bloomington Ferry and Wilkie Units trail map at Bloomington and Shakopee
- Rapids Lake, Chaska and Louisville Swamp Units trail map at Chaska, Carver and Jordan
Trail and Hiking Related News (last updated 10/1/2026):
Closures and Updates:
- Louisville Swamp: Construction is underway for the Merriam Junction Regional Trail. This project will not impact public access to refuge lands. Please exercise caution near construction sites. Learn more about this project at Merriam Junction Regional Trail.
- Minnesota Valley State Trail (DNR)
- This trail is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Please visit their webpage for the latest updates on additional closures.
- Old Cedar Avenue: The Old Cedar Avenue boardwalk is being replaced, with work expected to conclude in late November. Throughout this project, the following closures and access limitations are in place:
- Boardwalk: Closed
- Old Cedar Avenue parking lot: Reduced parking capacity
- Bluff Trail west of Old Cedar Avenue parking lot: Closed Monday - Friday, 7 am to 6 pm
- River Bottoms Trail
- Visitors should use the new entrance of the trail from the Bloomington Ferry Kiosk.
- The trail going east from the Bloomington Ferry Trailhead is an out and back segment. A trail continues to Lyndale/Sorensen Landing in the Long Meadow Lake Unit, crossing privately owned and City of Bloomington property for an additional distance of about 4 miles. The refuge does not promote entering private property. At this time, there is not an alternative route for a through trail.
- Bass Ponds: Beginning Monday, October 19 through October 30, repair work will be taking place at the upper trailhead of Bass Ponds. To ensure access during this time, the gate to the lower parking lot will be opened for public use.