Trail Running in Minneapolis, MN

Theodore Wirth Park is the largest regional park in the Minneapolis park system and offers runners some of the best running trails in the Twin Cities area.

“Good bang-for-your-buck” might be the best way to describe this small but stout – and close – oasis of gnarly singletrack and lung-busting climbs on the bluffs overlooking downtown St. Paul.

When you need to escape from the Twin Cities and surround yourself in nature, Crow Hassan Park Reserve offers over 17 miles of trails that wind through lowland prairies, marshes, and hardwood forests.

Westwood Hills Nature Center offers trail runners a 3-mile circuit of forested dirt paths and marshy wooden docks that are perfect for working-up a sweat.

Urban runners looking for a change of scenery will enjoy the scenic river views and lung-bursting inclines found within Interstate State Park.

Known for its hilly terrain, Afton State Park is perfect for the endorphin seeking trail runner. Garnering attention since 1994, the Afton Trail Run 50K and 25K has received attention for being one of the oldest and most beautiful runs in the nation.

If you’re looking for a trail that offers both long and short runs and a variety of difficulty, check out this gem nestled into the banks of the Minnesota River, just minutes from the airport.