Trail conditions are updated as conditions change.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2018 at 1 p.m.
Fall Prescribed Burning Notice
Each fall, usually October-November as weather conditions are favorable, prescribed fire crews lead controlled burns throughout the Dakota County Park system and along regional trails and greenways.
Fire is needed to maintain healthy natural areas as it helps manage weeds and non-native plants, and reduces the risk of wildfires. It also restores nutrients and lets more desirable plants have the chance to grow. Woodlands, prairies, and wetlands are perfect natural communities for prescribed fire management. Due to the nature of the work and unpredictability of wind conditions, trail and road closure notices may be posted with minimal advanced warning. Thank you for your patience.
Big Rivers Regional Trail
Paved Regional Trail: *Open.
View map.
Dakota Woods Dog Park
Hiking Trails: Open. Pass required.
View webpage.
Lake Byllesby Regional Park
Hiking Trails: Open.
Paved Trail: Open.
View map.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Park closures for November deer hunt
All of Lebanon Hills Regional Park, including all trails, entrance roads and facilities, will be closed for an annual archery deer hunt Nov. 5–7, Nov. 12–14, Nov. 19–21; Monday, all day; Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 a.m.–noon.
Hiking Trails: *Open.
*Trail closures through October:
Due to an easement enhancement project, a few sections of hiking trail will be closed or reassigned May-October 2018. View trail closure map.
Mountain Bike Trails (West Trailhead): Closed due to freeze-thaw cycle.
Sidewalks around the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center: Open.
McDonough Lake Loop (paved trail): Open.
Equestrian Trails: Open. Pass required. Due to an easement enhancement project, a few sections of equestrian trail will be reassigned May-October 2018. View trail reassignment map. The last day for horseback riding on the Equestrian Trail will be Sunday. Nov. 18. The Equestrian Trail will reopen in April or May 2019 as conditions allow.
View map.
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
Park closures for November deer hunt
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, including all trails, entrance road and facilities, will be closed for an annual deer hunt Nov. 17–25, all day for the shotgun hunt (This is during the 3B season), and Dec. 1–9, all day for the muzzleloader hunt.
Hiking Trails: Open.
View map.
Minnesota River Greenway
Paved Regional Trail: Open.
View webpage.
Mississippi River Trail
Park closures for November deer hunt
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve, also called the West Trailhead of the Mississippi River Trail, including all trails, entrance road and facilities, will be closed for an annual archery deer hunt Nov. 8–11, Nov. 15–18; all day. The Schaar's Bluff Trailhead area is not included in the hunt area and will remain open as usual. Mississippi River Trail will remain open.
Paved Regional Trail: Open.
View map.
River to River Greenway
Paved Regional Trail: Open.
View webpage.
Spring Lake Park Reserve
Park closures for November deer hunt
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve, also called the West Trailhead of the Mississippi River Trail, including all trails, entrance road and facilities, will be closed for an annual archery deer hunt Nov. 8–11, Nov. 15–18; all day. The Schaar's Bluff Trailhead area is not included in the hunt area and will remain open as usual.
Hiking Trails: Open.
Sidewalks around the Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center: Open.
Mississippi River Trail (paved trail): Open.
Archery Trail: Open. Pass required.
View map.
Thompson County Park
Hiking Trails: *Open.
*Trail closures starting October 2018
Trails around Thompson Lake will be closed during the restoration project starting October 2018 through May 2019. 
See a trail closure map.
Sidewalks around Thompson Park Center: Open.
River to River Greenway (paved trail): Open.
Whitetail Woods Regional Park
Hiking Trails: *Open.
*Trail closures starting Sept. 10
Starting Sept. 10 through November, some trails will be closed around Empire Lake while an improvement project is underway. 
See a trail
closure map.
Sidewalks around the Empire Lake Shelter: Open.
View map.
UMORE PARK-The Lone Rock Trail
UMORE Park is owned and operated by the University of Minnesota. No parking fee is required for parking. The Lone Rock Trail is a multi-use trail. Hiking, dog walking, skiing and snowshoeing are all permitted on the trail. Equestrian use is permitted May 1-Oct. 31 only. Dakota County grooms this trail in the winter.
Lone Rock Trail: Open.
View web page.
