Biking
Biking in Three Rivers is a great way to get the whole family outside. Whether you’re the casual rider or a cyclist in training, you can enjoy more than 240 miles of off-roadway bike/hike trails that wind through woodlands and grasslands and rim the shorelines of lakes and ponds at our parks throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Just strap on your helmet, hop on the pedals and you’re on your way to a great ride.
Where to bike
- Anderson Lakes
- Baker Park Reserve
- Bassett Creek Regional Trail
- Bryant Lake Regional Park
- Carver Park Reserve
- Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park
- Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
- Crystal Lake Regional Trail
- Dakota Rail Regional Trail
- Eagle Lake Regional Park
- Elm Creek Park Reserve
- Fish Lake Regional Park
- French Regional Park
- Gale Woods Farm
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve
- Lake Independence Regional Trail
- Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail
- Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
- Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
- Luce Line Regional Trail
- Medicine Lake Regional Trail
- Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail
- Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
- Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
- Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail
- North Cedar Lake Regional Trail
- North Mississippi Regional Park
- Northeast Diagonal Regional Trail
- Rush Creek Regional Trail
- Scott West Regional Trail
- Shingle Creek Regional Trail
- Silverwood Park
- Sochacki Park
- Spring Lake Regional Park
- Twin Lakes Regional Trail
Upcoming Events
Big Woods Classic – Signature Race
July 11 | Lake Rebecca
Big Woods Classic registration is now open! Shred through dense forests, open prairie and wetlands on a challenging singletrack trail in Lake Rebecca Park Reserve. Races available for kids and adults.
All Programs and Events
Upcoming biking programs and events.
Miles of trails
Regional Trails
Anderson Lakes, 1.1, paved
Bassett Creek, 7, paved
Cedar Lake LRT, 4.5, paved
Crystal Lake, 4.3, paved
Dakota Rail, 13, paved
Lake Independence, 15.9, paved
Lake Minnetonka LRT, 15, aggregate
Luce Line, 9, paved
Medicine Lake, 15.6, paved
Minnesota River Bluffs LRT, 12.2, aggregate
Nine Mile Creek, 15.3, paved
Nokomis-Minnesota River, 7, paved
North Cedar Lake, 4.3, paved
Northeast Diagonal, 0.6, paved
Rush Creek, 9.6, paved
Scott West, 12.4, paved
Shingle Creek, 8.4, paved
Twin Lakes, 4.4, paved
Park Trails
Baker, 12.5
Bryant, 2
Carver, 9.1
Cleary, 3.5
Eagle Lake, 1
Elm Creek, 20
Fish Lake, 3
French, 4.6
Gale Woods Farm, 2.2
Hyland, 8.6
Lake Minnetonka, 3.2
Lake Rebecca, 7.8
Mississippi Gateway, 1
North Mississippi, 1.6
Silverwood, 1
Sochacki Park
Spring Lake, 3
Park Trails
Hard-surfaced trails are shared by bikers, hikers, runners, in-line skaters/roller-skiers and dog-walkers. Some are also appropriate for wheelchairs and strollers. The trails are two-way and may include wooden bridges and road crossings. In addition to the many in-park trails, Three Rivers also operates regional trails, popular among bike commuters and those just out enjoying the ride.
Bike Rentals
Need a bike? No problem. Three Rivers offer bike rentals at Baker and Lake Auburn campgrounds. Rentals are open to everyone, not just campers.
Bike Camping
The regional trail system offers great opportunities for bike-friendly camping, load up your bike trailer or panniers and head out for an overnight or week of adventure. For those planning ahead, campgrounds with reservations are available at Baker, Lake Auburn and Cleary Lake campgrounds. For those planning a more spontaneous adventure, drop-in sites are available at Lake Auburn Campground, Crow-Hassan Park Reserve and Elm Creek Park Reserve.
In Three Rivers, having fun doesn't have to cost a thing. From free parking to free activities to free programs and events, find your adventure!
Electric-Assist/Pedal-Assist Bicycles
E-bikes (electric-assist or pedal-assist bicycles) are allowed on paved trails and wherever traditional bicycles are allowed if they meet the state’s definition and requirements (subdivision 27). A motorized bicycle that does not meet this definition is not allowed on any Park District trails. Learn more e-bike use in the parks.
Three Rivers allows appropriate Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) in parks and trails to assist persons with mobility disabilities to more fully enjoy park areas, facilities and trails. Review the OPDMD Guidelines.
Mountain Biking
Three Rivers has designated mountain biking trails in Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, Elm Creek Park Reserve and Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
It pays to be nice! Learn how to Share the Trail with bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
The Three Rivers Blog
The Rewards and Challenges of #30DaysofBiking
By: Judy McDowell
Could you ride your bike every day for 30 days straight? Learn about the joys and perils of biking daily in April in Minnesota in this firsthand account, then make a pledge to join #30daysofbiking.
Tips and Tricks for Winter Biking
By: Anders Hanson
There are countless barriers (both perceived and actual) that prevent people from biking in the winter, but ultimately most of us already have much of the gear that makes winter biking comfortable, practical, fun, and safe. Learn some tips to overcome winter conditions and make winter biking seem less daunting.
My Top 5 Reasons to Bike Commute Year-round (Yes, Even in Winter)
By: Anders Hanson
The arrival of winter is often associated with a decrease in the amount of time spent being active outside. Learn five reasons why you should consider bike commuting as a way to spend more time outdoors and embrace our coldest season.
Other things to do
Mountain Biking
If you’re looking for your own adventure, give mountain biking a try in Three Rivers. There are designated mountain bike trails at Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca, and Murphy-Hanrehan parks and other paved bike/hike trails of varying terrain and difficulty for mountain bikers of any skill level.
Paddling
Recreate on the water with canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Get exercise and fresh air while you explore the shorelines and bays where motorized boats can’t go. Need a boat? Three Rivers offers canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddleboat and stand-up paddleboard rentals at several parks.
Hiking
One of the best ways to explore year-round is to head out for a hike on the extensive trail system in Three Rivers. Trails wind through the woodland, grassland and wetland habitats of many species of wildlife. You’ll be amazed at what you might see along the way.
Downhill and Telemark Skiing
Hyland Hills Ski Area and the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek offer downhill ski areas for all skill levels, from training hills to Olympic-level training jumps. The downhill ski areas feature snowmaking and well-groomed hills for unbeatable winter fun.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is just one more way you can enjoy the wintry Minnesota outdoors. From group or private lessons to equipment rental to impeccably groomed hills for every skill level, the Hyland Hills Ski Area and the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek have everything you need to carve up the slopes.
Tubing
If you like sledding, you’ll love snow tubing at the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek. Ride a moving sidewalk up a hill 10 stories high and then soar back down on a specially designed inner tube. Once you get to the bottom, do it all over again.
