Hours: Daily, 5 a.m.–10 p.m.
Phone:
952-891-7000
Address: 1498 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN (Driving directions)
Admission: Free
Located along the northern edge of Dakota County from Eagan to Lilydale, the Big Rivers Regional Trail is a scenic 4.5-mile paved trail that overlooks the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.
The trail also links to the 72-mile Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, hundreds of miles of trails throughout the greater Twin Cities area and historic landmarks including Fort Snelling, Pike Island and, one of Minnesota's oldest settlements, the city of Mendota.
The Big Rivers Trailhead provides access to a nearly flat paved trail built on an abandoned railroad bed. Highway 55 in Mendota Heights, Interstate 494 in Eagan, and Interstate 35E in Mendota Heights are additional access points to the Big Rivers Regional Trail.
Trail and trailhead closures
A rockslide on the Big Rivers Regional Trail just south of the Lilydale Trailhead, requires the trail close to the public. The site is being accessed to find the safest way to remove the debris from the trail and stabilize the bluff above. A reopening date is not yet available. Trail closure barricades and signs have been posted. Please use the identified detour route along Highway 13. The trail is closed from Highway 13 intersection to the Lilydale Trailhead. 
See detour map.
The Mendota Heights Trailhead improvement project will require the trailhead and nearby segments of the Big Rivers Regional Trail to close during construction April–December 2021. See the Mendota Heights Trailhead Improvements page for details. Trail closure barricades and signs have been posted. Please use the identified detour route. The trail is closed from the Interstate 494 intersection to the southern-most trail intersection with Sibley Memorial Highway.
The City of Lilydale's Lift Station reconstruction project will require the northern-most segment of the Big Rivers Regional Trail to be closed during construction July-October 2021. The Lilydale Trailhead parking lot will remain open during construction. Trail closure barricades and signs have been posted. Please use the identified detour route along Highway 13. The trail is closed from the Highway 13 intersection to the Lilydale Trailhead.
Maps:
All Season MapDownload Dakota County Parks maps on the
Avenza app.
Park Ordinance
Trail conditions
Amenities
- 6-mile paved trail
- Portable toilet (closed for improvement project)
- Free parking (closed for improvement project)
Activities