AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Fort Snelling State Park

Minnesota River–Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint, 3 sights

15.1 mi · ▲ 369 ft · 5 hr 13 min

Minnesota River–Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint, 3 sights is a 15.1-mile out-and-back in Fort Snelling State Park near Mendota, MN. The route passes Minnesota River and Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint. It climbs 369 ft and is mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi699 – 932 ft16.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 44.88582, -93.17457
Nearest town Mendota, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Minnesota River–Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint, 3 sights

15.1 mi · ▲ 369 ft · 5 hr 13 min

Elevation 698–932 ft

Out & Back · Fort Snelling State Park

Trailhead: 44.88582, -93.17457

Weather Sep 24: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:08 PM

Transit-accessible: Kyle Way stop 60 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 50 ftPass Minnesota River.
  3. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  4. 150 ftBear right, heading SE.
  5. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftBear right onto Big Rivers Regional Trail, heading SW.
  7. 1.2 miPass Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint.
  8. 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
  9. 2.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  10. 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
  11. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  12. 450 ftSharp right, heading W.
  13. 0.6 miTurn left, heading W.
  14. 0.6 miTurn left, heading SW.
  15. 1.6 miTurn right, heading SW.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  17. 0.5 miTurn right, heading S.
  18. 0.2 miTurn right onto Highline Trail, heading S.
  19. 250 ftBear left, heading S.
  20. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  21. 150 ftReach Minnesota River, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  22. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  23. 350 ftTurn left, heading W.
  24. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  25. 0.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
  26. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 1.6 miTurn right, heading N.
  28. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
  29. 0.6 miSharp left, heading E.
  30. 450 ftTurn right, heading E.
  31. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  32. 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
  33. 1.4 miContinue straight onto Big Rivers Regional Trail, heading N.
  34. 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
  35. 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
  36. 1.2 miBear left, heading N.
  37. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  38. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  39. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  40. 50 ftArrive 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/highline-trail-out-back-19-km-e73b

Trail surface

98% paved2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:03 AMSunset 7:08 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.5 mi in (~167 min). Leave by 4:01 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Kyle Way stop 60 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Mendota, Minnesota