Join the hiking group for a hike on Dakota County's "Big Rivers Trail" along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, on a late 1800's rail bed converted to a hiking/biking/roller blading trail. The trail is built on the rail bed of the Minnesota Central RailRoad, one of Minnesota's oldest railroads. In 1857, the Minnesota Central RailRoad was incorporated by a special act of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature and was an early predecessor of the Milwaukee Road. The Minnesota Central RailRoad was built by Selah Chamberlain (1812-1886), who also was its president, and who also built the Rutland & Burlington RailRoad in Vermont, built parts of the Lake Champlain RailRoad, and engaged in the construction of the Cleveland & Pittsburg RailRoad. In 1865, the Minnesota Central RailRoad became the first railroad to serve the Minneapolis West Side Mill District along the Mississippi River. In 1867, the Milwaukee & St. Paul RailRoad bought the Minnesota Central RailRoad, changed the name of the merged railroad to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul RailRoad in 1874, and later shortened the name of the railroad to the Milwaukee Road.

If driving: Take I-35E from St. Paul across the Mississippi River and exit at Highway 13 (Sibley Memorial Highway). Take Highway 13 east (turn left) about 1/4 mile to the intersection with Lilydale Road and turn south (right) on Lilydale Road. Lilydale Road winds down a steep hill to the St. Paul Yacht Club. Park in the trail parking lot, located off of Lilydale Road, just south of the railroad underpass, before reaching the Yacht Club.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 415. The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Mendota Heights Road and Highway 13. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

Interested hikers will reassemble for dessert or dinner after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Champps, 2401 West Seventh Street, St. Paul.)

Map to hike starting point: Sibley Memorial Hwy At Lilydale Rd
Mendota, MN 55118

Dakota County Big Rivers Trail homepage

Dakota County Big Rivers Trail map

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This page was last updated on April 10, 2008.