Big Rivers — paved Mendota Heights return
Minnesota · Rail-trail
Join the main trail from Big Rivers Trailhead and head north toward Mendota and Lilydale for up to two miles, then retrace. Stop at barriers and before any closed bridge connector. Do not turn south into Lone Oak construction or cross the closed I-35E access.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Mendota Heights · Minnesota
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Paved former-rail shared-use main trail
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- County describes the rail trail as nearly flat; trailhead ramps and river exposure remain.
- Starting location
- Big Rivers public trailhead, 1498 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Named mapped trail/park reference, not the exact public entrance, parking lot or driving route. Follow the separate written public start.
Big Rivers — paved Mendota Heights return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Big Rivers public trailhead, 1498 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN.
County names 1498 Mendota Heights Road as the public trailhead with free admission/parking. Use signed ordinary visitor spaces; current trail barriers govern access.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 4 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: Join the main trail from Big Rivers Trailhead and head north toward Mendota and Lilydale for up to two miles, then retrace. Stop at barriers and before any closed bridge connector. Do not turn south into Lone Oak construction or cross the closed I-35E access.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Paved former-rail shared-use main trail. County describes the rail trail as nearly flat; trailhead ramps and river exposure remain.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
County publishes 5 a.m.–10 p.m.; use daylight. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. County specifically directs visitors to Big Rivers Trailhead while Lone Oak trailhead, parking and nearby trail are closed for bridge work. The separate I-35E bridge trail access from Lilydale to Saint Paul is also closed. Dynamic conditions panel did not load; no all-clear inferred. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.