Cedar Lake Regional Trail

The Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail follows the former railroad lines of the Great Northern Railway and the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. It runs from downtown Minneapolis and connects to other popular bike and pedestrian trails in the city and western suburbs.

4.5 miles  |  Paved

Hours 5 AM–10 PM

Light Rail Construction

Majority of Cedar Lake Regional Trail is open

The Cedar Lake Regional Trail is open from 11th Avenue (the junction of the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail) to Excelsior Boulevard (Hopkins Depot) and from Blake Road in Hopkins to the Mid-town Greenway in Minneapolis. There is a short on-street detour between the Hopkins Depot and Blake Road for trail users making the connection between the Depot and Blake.

The closed segment between the Depot and Blake Road is expected to open spring of 2024. The closure is due to Southwest Light Rail Transit construction. In conjunction with the light rail project, the entire trail is being reconstructed and includes grade-separated crossings at Beltline Boulevard, Wooddale Avenue and Blake Road, all of which are now open for public use.

The Cedar Lake Regional Trail will be closed on weekdays beginning Monday, March 18, between Beltline Boulevard and France Avenue in St. Louis Park. The affected trail segment will be open on weekends. The weekday closures are expected to last into early May. On weekdays, trail users are asked to use this detour.

Visit swlrt.org to sign up for weekly construction updates or to find out more information about the project.

Southwest LRT 24-Hour Construction Hotline

For urgent Southwest LRT construction issues, please call the 24-hour hotline at 612-373-3933 for assistance. For general questions or comments about Southwest LRT or the Cedar Lake Trail detour please contact your local Community Outreach Coordinator. For emergencies, always call 911.

Interactive Map of Cedar Lake Regional Trail

It pays to be nice! Learn how to Share the Trail with bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Winter Plowing

Over 100 miles of the regional trail system are maintained in the winter, generally from mid-November through March. This is achieved through a partnership between Three Rivers and local cities.

Detour routes of Cedar Lake Regional Trail in St. Louis Park are maintained and plowed during winter months. See complete winter trail maintenance information.

Volunteers Needed

Become a Park Patroller. Help park guests and enjoy the outdoors! Learn more about becoming a park patrol volunteer.

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Things To Do

Bike Trail

Biking

Two women bike over a bridge.

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’ll appreciate 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.

Dog Trails - On Leash

Dog Trails

A man walks two dogs on leashes on a paved trail.

Three Rivers offers abundant scenery for you and your dog to enjoy year round, with paved, turf, regional and skijoring/dog sledding trails that are dog-friendly. Dogs must be on a six-foot non-retractable leash unless in a designated dog off-leash area. Owners must pick-up after their dogs.

Hiking

Hiking

A turf trail passes by a sign that says "hiking trail."

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.

Please note: In winter, hiking on cross-country ski trails is not permitted.