​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​T​rail conditions are updated as conditions change. Winter hiking trails are not machine packed and can be used for hiking and snowshoeing. Cross-country ski trails are for skiers only: No hiking, snowshoeing, biking or dog walking is allowed on ski trails when snow covered. Ski passes are required for skiers 18 and older and may be purchased online or at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. ​Get your ski pass.

Greenways, sidewalks, and paved trails are plowed after a snowfall event.​

Updated: March​ 30 at 2:55​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​p​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.m. ​ ​

Cross-Country Ski Trails Operations & Maintenance
Dakota County Parks does not make snow and is a natural snow trail system. At the beginning of the winter season, trails need a minimum of 6-8 inches of packed ​snow before they can be groomed with tra​cks set for classic-style skiing. Typically, ski trail maintenance begins after a snow event ends, though may be delayed due to higher priority snow removal needs in the park system.

Cross-Country Ski Trail Grooming Definitions
Trail Deck: Top of trail.
Packed: Trails are machine packed and have a flat top.
Corduroy: Packed trails have been finished with 1 inch grooves in the trail deck.
Tracked: Tracks are set for classic-style skiing.
Groomed: Trails are corduroyed for skate-style skiing, and tracks are set for classic-style skiing.

Cross-Country Ski Trail Definitions
Excellent: Recently groomed. Firm packed base, tracks are set and firm. No footprints, bare spots, or debris on the trail.
Good: Firm packed base, tracks are set and intact. No bare spots, no debris on the trail.  
Fair: Mostly packed base, with inconsistent tracks. Sporadic bare and icy spots. 
Poor: Little to no base, intermittent bare and icy spots. Intermittent debris and inconsistent quality.

Big Rivers Regional Trail

Paved Regional Trail: Open.

Planned closure: On March 26, the bluff segment of the trail between Sibley Memorial Highway and Lilydale Trailhead will be closed for tree work. This closure is anticipated to last the entire day. Please follow posted detour and closure signage.​

Trail closure:  The Lone Oak Trailhead, the parking lot and a short segment of the nearby trail is closed for bridge construction. The trail may be accessed at the Big Rivers Trailhead. The construction area is closed to the public and is anticipated to last until summer 2026. View Minnesota River Greenway project page.

View Big Rivers Regional Trail page. 

​Dakota Woods Dog Park

Hiking Trails: Open. Pass re​quired.

Seasonal amenity impact: The water has been turned off for the season. Please plan to bring water and a bowl with you when you visit. Water is available on-site from May-October, weather dependent. 

View Dakota Woods Dog Park page. ​

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Winter Multi-use Trails: Open. 
Lake Walk Trail (paved trail): Open.

View Lake Byllesby Regional Park page.​

Lake Marion Greenway

Paved Regional Trail: Open.

View Lake Marion Greenway page.

​Lebanon Hills Regional Park 

Hiking Trails: Open.
Classic-style Cross-Country Ski Trails: Open. Not snow covered.
Skate-style Cross-Country Ski Trails: Open. Not snow covered.
Mountain Bike Trails (West Trailhead): Closed for the spring thaw. Restrooms will remain open.
Sidewalks around the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center:  Open.
McDonough Lake Loop (paved trail): Open.
Visitor Center Sledding Hill: Not snow covered. 
Ice Skating on Schulze Lake: Ice is decaying due to warm temperatures, ice thinkness is no longer being measured.  No ice is safe ice. ​
Equestrian Trails & Equestrian Trailhead: Closed for season. Reopening in spring 2026. Closed to hiking. 

​View Lebanon Hills Regional Park page. 

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Hiking Trails: Closed.​

Trailhead closure: The Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Trailhead is closed for construction through November 2026. This closure is due to the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Site Improvement project.​

View Miesville Ravine Park Reserve page. ​

Minnesota River Greenway

Paved Regional Trail: Open.

View Minnesota River Greenway page.

Mississippi River Greenway

Paved Regional Trail:  Open.

North Side Erosion Repairs and Closure:

The Mississippi River Greenway will be temporarily closed on April 13 - ​15, between 100th Street E. and south of 102nd Street E.

Erosion from last summer storms have created a safety issue. The detour is on Inver Grove Trail, which generally has light traffic. We will post an update when the section is reopened. North side detour map.​

South Side Erosion Repairs and Closure:
Construction repairs are anticipated to begin in spring 2026. In the meantime, the trail will remain closed between 117th Street and the Pine Bend Trailhead until the repairs can be completed. The detour is on a road with heavy traffic. We will post an update when the section is reopened. ​South Side detour map.​

View Mississippi River Greenway page.  ​

North Creek Greenway

Paved Regional Trail:  Open.

View North​ Creek Greenway page. ​

River to River Greenway

Paved Regional Trail:  Open.

Temporary closure: A 300-foot section of trail is closed along Wentworth Ave.​ west of Robert St. in front of the Wentworth Center building. Trail users will need to use local sidewalks or the shoulder on Wentworth Avenue. This closure is anticipated to last until late spring when pavement can be replaced.​

Temporary closure: The River to River Greenway segment between the Lilydale Trailhead and Marie Avenue is closed through spring 2026​ for construction and bridge replacement​. A detour route is available. View projec​t w​ebpage. Deto​u​​r Map ​​

​View River to River Greenway page.  ​

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Hiking Trails:  Open.
Classic-style Cross-Country Ski Trails: Open. Not snow covered.
Skate-style Cross-Country Ski Trails: Open. Not snow covered.
Sidewalks around the Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center: Open.
Archery Trail: Closed for the season.   Pass required. ​​

View Spring Lake Park Reserve page.  ​

Thompson County Park        

Hiking Trails: Open.
Thompson Lake Loop (paved trail): Open.
Sidewalks around Thompson Park Center: Open.

Temporary Trail Closure: A portion of the paved trail south of Thompson Lake is closed for the Pollinator Promenade and Stream Restoration project through early summer 2026. See project page.​

View Thompson County Park page.

​Vermillion River Greenway

Paved Regional Trail:  Open.

​View Vermillion River Greenway page.

Veterans Memorial Greenway

Paved Regional Trail:  Open.

View Veterans Memorial Greenway page.

​Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Hiking Trails: Open.
Classic-style Cross-Country Ski Trails:  Open. Not snow covered.
Empire Lake Loop (paved trail): Open.
Sidewalks around the Empire Lake Shelter: Open.
Sledding Hill: Not snow covered.

View Whitetail Woods Regional Park  page. 

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 trail is open from sunrise to sunset with the exception of a 10 a.m. opening time during the months of May and October (this is to minimize disturbance to spring turkey hunters and fall archery deer hunters during prime hunting periods). The Lone Rock Trail is a multi-use trail. Hiking, dogs on leash, skiing and snowshoeing are all permitted on the trail.

Hiking season schedule: The Lone Rock Trail is open to hiking through Nov. 8. Hiking will be closed for firearms deer hunting from Nov. 8 through Dec. 21. 

Horseback riding season schedule: Lone Rock Trai l will be open for equestrian riding from May 1 through Oct. 31 each year. The trail will be closed to equestrian use from Nov. 1 through April 30 to allow for firearms deer hunting and cross-country skiing.

Cross-country skiing season schedule: Conditions permitting, the Lone Rock Trail is open for the 2025-2026 season to cross-country skiing from Dec. 22 through March 31. Intermediate skill is required; the trail features rolling terrain with frequent short hill climbs and descents. Trails are one-way for skiers; follow blue diamond markers. Note: Skiers are urged to use caution from mid-December to early-January as pheasant, deer, and late- season goose hunting will be ongoing.

Lone Rock  Trail: Open. Not snow covered.

View Lone Rock Trail page.

​

Contact

Dakota County Parks
952-891-7000
parks@co.dako​ta.mn.us

​​

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