Dakota Rail Trail

Trail offers outdoor recreation

Information updated September 2019

The Dakota Rail Regional Trail covers a portion of the 44-mile Dakota Rail corridor, which crosses Hennepin, Carver, and McLeod counties.

The trail is a popular recreational amenity in both Mayer and New Germany.

The first phase of the trail in Carver County, from the Hennepin County border to Mayer, was completed in 2010.

In 2012, the remaining 5.5 miles of the Carver County portion of the trail were completed, extending it from Mayer through New Germany to the McLeod County line, and culminating in 12.5 miles of paved trail.

Now, trail users can travel as far west as Lester Prairie on the trail.

In 2017, McLeod County accepted a Legacy Grant to fund paving of the trail from the end of the pavement at the Carver County border to McLeod County Road 1 on the west side of Lester Prairie. The trail was paved through Lester Prairie in 2019.

The Dakota Rail Regional Trail provides recreation for citizens of all ages.

The trail passes through a variety of scenic areas, including wetlands, wooded areas, and agricultural lands.

The paved portions of the trail accommodate the planned uses of walking, hiking, biking, jogging, dog walking, inline skating, and rollerblading. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail in Carver County.