Southwestern Minnesota

[NewRider]

Are there many good off road trails in the Southwestern part of the state?

[KleinCrazy]

Are there many good off road trails in the Southwestern part of the state?
I used to live in Worthington and about all you are going to find is Camden State Park in Marshal and Newton Hills south of Sioux Falls in S.D.

I have been away from the area for about 6 years so things could have changed but I doubt it.

[jaybird]

Tony,

Are you looking for areas that far west? I noticed your profile said Waseca, so I would guess you're a lot closer to Mankato than Marshall. If your looking for something a little closer to home there's Mt. Kato in Mankato and 7 Mile Creek between St. Peter and Mankato.

[NewRider]

Yes, I know about Kato and 7 mile creek, I was just wondering if they had any trails out west through the prairie lands. I will have to try the Kato trails sometime but I am moving to the cities next week for college so I will have to be sometime when I am at home for a visit. How are those trails for a beginner?



Thanks for the reply's

[smeulebroe]

There's Camden State Park in Marshall (Group rides on Tuesday nights), Hole in the Mountain in Lake Benton (There were groups rides from a shop in Brookings SD), Garvin Park, and Newton Hills near Sioux Falls. There's also a county park near Granite Falls that I used to ride. Can't remember the name but you had to ride it a few times before you could get to know all the trails.

[jaybird]

Scott - do you have any updates on Garvin? I haven't been there in years, but will be driving by later next week. Part of my old stomping grounds when I was at SSU in Marshall.

[smeulebroe]

Scott - do you have any updates on Garvin? I haven't been there in years, but will be driving by later next week. Part of my old stomping grounds when I was at SSU in Marshall.
When did you go to SSU? I haven't ridden Garvin for many years. We used to ride out there in the spring and the fall because the summer, alot of the trails become over grown. Kinda like the river bottoms. The Bike Shop in Marshall would probably know. Ask for Cody.

[SprocketHead]

I really like that place. There are designated bike trails, some horse trails and very sparsly used hiking trails.. I have ridden them all, I'd guess there's around 20 miles total... Now, I'm not advocating riding hiking trails, but, I've been there many times when there was only about 10 people in the whole park..So..with discretion...

I go camping there once a year. My fav ride is from the lower camp ground to the upper prarie trail over to Brawner Lake for a swim, it's gotta be about 16 miles round trip. They also have a Very Cold swimming hole for those Hot days. The trails are not the sweet singletrack like say, Leb, but they are off road and have a few fun spots.

I've always wondered if we (MORC) could get something going out there. They (the park people) seem to be ok with off road cycling.

[axebiker]

LOL!! I was the lifeguard at that "VERY COLD" swimming hole at Camden for about 3 years back in the mid-90's. I used to ride those trails quite often before and after work! My boss hated it, but I just didn't let him see me do it. Garvin was always fun but it was usually an SSU event going on when I was there, so I wasn't always in "top condition" for riding if you know what I mean, and if you were at a Garvin SSU event, I'm sure you do! Brawner is a nice place to swim - or at least it used to be. My Grandpa built that lake in the 50's when they were building the highway there.

Geez - nostalgia - I might have to bring the bike back with me next time I go home for the weekend!