The Fall colors are starting to show and what a better way to see them than on a bicycle. Minnesota and Western Wisconsin have numerous rail trails within a two hour drive of the Twin Cities that will show you some of the best nature has to offer. In this post I will list some of the favorites I've ridden, in no particular order, that I found well worth the drive.
Stower Seven Lakes State Trail
The Stower Seven Lakes State Trail is a 14 mile crushed limestone trail that like the name says, brings riders past seven scenic lakes. There are plenty of fall colors to see along the way as you pass through woods, wetlands and prairies on this former railroad corridor. Travelling from Dresser to Amery, this trail also goes through the towns of Nye, Wanderoos and Deronda. Parking is available near the trail in Amery and on city streets in Wanderoos and Dresser. There is also parking at Lotus Lake Park in Dresser just 1/3 of a mile down the road from the trail.
Cyclists age 16 or older need a Wisconsin State Trail Pass while using the trail. Trail passes can be purchased at self-registration stations in Nye and Amery. Trail passes are $5 per person a day and $25 per person annually. A Stower Seven Lakes State Trail map is available online to download and print.
Red Cedar State Trail
The Red Cedar State Trail is a favorite of mine for its scenic beauty as it passes through the Dunnville Barrens Wildlife Area, Lower Chippewa State Natural Area and along the Red Cedar River Valley. This 14.5 mile crushed limestone former railroad grade travels from Menomonie to the junction of the Chippewa River State Trail just southwest of Dunnville as it passes through Irvington and Downsville. Parking is available at the northern trailhead in Menomonie, Irvington, Downsville and at the southern end of the Chippewa River State Trail trailhead in Durand.
Cyclists age 16 or older need a Wisconsin State Trail Pass while using the trail. Trail passes can be purchased at self-registration stations at the Menomonie depot trailhead, Downsville and in Durand at the trailhead of the Chippewa River State Trail (which leads 7 miles northeast to the trail junction of the Red Cedar State Trail). Trail passes are $5 per person a day and $25 per person annually. A Red Cedar State Trail map is available online to download and print.
Cannon Valley Trail
The Cannon Valley Trail has long been a favorite of cyclists to take in the Fall colors of the Cannon River Valley. This paved former Chicago Great Western Railroad line will take cyclists 19.7 miles along the south side of the Cannon River past prairies, scenic overlooks, hardwood forests and wetlands between Cannon Falls and Red Wing. Parking is available on either end of the trail at Red Wing and Cannon Falls as well as the middle of the trail in Welch. A Wheel Pass is required for any cyclist age 18 and over for $5 a day or $25 for the season. Wheel Passes can be purchase at self-pay boxes at entry point kiosks in Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing, online or at participating business vendors. A Cannon Valley Trail map is available online to download and print. There is also an interactive map of the trail online.
Douglas State Trail
Head south down Highway 52 to Pine Island for a Fall color ride along the Douglas State Trail. This 12.5 mile paved trail built on a former railroad grade takes cyclists through some amazing rural scenery including the woods and pastures of this agriculturally rich area between Pine Island and Rochester. Parking is available at the trailheads in Pine Island, Douglas and Rochester. A Douglas State Trail map is available online to download and print.
Gandy Dancer State Trail-Southern Segment
Take the short trip across the border to St. Croix Falls, WI to view the Fall colors of the Southern Segment of the Gandy Dancer Trail. This crushed limestone trail takes cyclists 47 miles from St. Croix Falls to Danbury through the towns of Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Frederic, Lewis, Siren and Webster. The rural scenery and woods along the way make this trail a great choice to take in the Fall colors. At the end of the trail in Danbury you will find a 520-foot trestle that crosses the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway into Minnesota providing fantastic views of the river valley. Parking is available in St. Croix Falls, Centuria, Milltown, Frederic, Siren, Webster and Danbury.
Cyclists age 16 or older need a Wisconsin State Trail Pass while using the trail. Trail passes can be purchased at numerous locations along the trail. For a complete list of the designated trail pass vendors, visit the Friends of Gandy Dancer State Trail website. Trail passes are $5 per person a day and $25 per person annually. A Gandy Dancer State Trail-Southern Segment map is available online to download and print.
Chippewa River State Trail
The Chippewa River State Trail is part of a group of trails that makes up the Chippewa Valley Trail System which also includes the Red Cedar State Trail and the Old Abe State Trail. This asphalt/asphalt emulsion trail stretches 30 miles along the Chippewa River from Durand to Eau Claire passing through the towns of Meridean and Caryville and the Dunnville Wildlife Area near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa Rivers. The changing habitat includes river bottoms, woods, prairies, bluffs and wetlands making it a great choice to the see the Fall colors by bicycle. Parking is available at Tarrant Park in Durand, Meridean, Caryville and at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire.
Cyclists age 16 or older need a Wisconsin State Trail Pass while using the trail. Trail passes can be purchased at a self-registration box in Durand and Eau Claire. Trail passes are $5 per person a day and $25 per person annually. A Chippewa River State Trail map is available online to download and print.
Willard Munger State Trail
Take the short trip north to Hinckley and ride the 70 mile Hinckley-Duluth segment of the Willard Munger State Trail. This completely paved former railroad route will take cyclists through the cities of Willow River, Moose Lake, Barnum and Carlton on the way to Duluth. Riders will also experience great Fall colors scenery in the General C.C. Andrews State Forest near Willow River and Jay Cooke State Park near Carlton. Parking is available at numerous locations along the trail. A Willard Munger State Trail map is available online to download and print.
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