Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota River–Black Dog Lake, 3 lakes
6.4 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 2 hr 9 min
Minnesota River–Black Dog Lake, 3 lakes is a 6.4-mile out-and-back in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Burnsville, MN. The route passes Black Dog Lake and Minnesota River. 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
Getting there
Directions
Minnesota River–Black Dog Lake, 3 lakes
6.4 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 2 hr 9 min
Elevation 698–743 ft
Out & Back · Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Trailhead: 44.78671, -93.27590
Weather Sep 25: sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:07 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.8 miBear left, heading W.
- 350 ftBear right, heading W.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.9 miPass Black Dog Lake.
- 50 ftPass Minnesota River.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Minnesota River Greenway, heading NE.
- 1.3 miReach Minnesota River, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.3 miBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 1.1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 350 ftBear left, heading S.
- 350 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:46 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:07 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Black Dog Trail 4 mi · ▲ 28 ft
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Hikes near Burnsville, Minnesota