AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Elm Creek Park Reserve Beach–Target Northern Campus Lake Loop, 3 beaches

8.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 2 hr 45 min

Elm Creek Park Reserve Beach–Target Northern Campus Lake Loop, 3 beaches is an 8.2-mile loop in Elm Creek Park Reserve near West Coon Rapids, MN. The route passes Target Northern Campus Lake and Elm Creek Park Reserve Beach. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi866 – 922 ft9.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 45.13574, -93.37028
Nearest town West Coon Rapids, MN
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Elm Creek Park Reserve Beach–Target Northern Campus Lake Loop, 3 beaches

8.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 2 hr 45 min

Elevation 867–922 ft

Loop · Elm Creek Park Reserve

Trailhead: 45.13574, -93.37028

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:59 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

Transit-accessible: Target Building B stop 142 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftPass Target Northern Campus Lake.
  3. 0.1 miSharp left, heading NW.
  4. 0.4 miTurn left onto Rush Creek Regional Trail, heading N.
  5. 1 miBear left, heading W.
  6. 1.7 miPass Elm Creek Park Reserve Beach.
  7. 300 ftTurn right onto Northern Lights Trail, heading W.
  8. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  9. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  10. 500 ftBear right, heading NW.
  11. 100 ftBear left, heading NW.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  14. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  15. 250 ftSharp right, heading N.
  16. 250 ftSharp left, heading E.
  17. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  18. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  19. 100 ftBear right, heading N.
  20. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  21. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  22. 0.5 miTurn left, heading NE.
  23. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  24. 0.4 miBear right, heading E.
  25. 1.1 miTurn right, heading E.
  26. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  27. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  28. 0.5 miTurn right, heading E.
  29. 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
  30. 350 ftBear right, heading S.
  31. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  32. 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  33. 100 ftBear right, heading E.
  34. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  35. 0.5 miTurn left, heading S.
  36. 0.3 miSharp right, heading S.
  37. 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/elm-creek-park-reserve-beach-loop

Trail surface

65% paved27% dirt3% grass1% other1% boardwalk3% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:59 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~41 min). Leave by 6:16 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Target Building B stop 142 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near West Coon Rapids, Minnesota