Minnehaha Falls & Creek Trail
Trail Guide
easy

Minnehaha Falls & Creek Trail

Minnehaha / Nokomis
6 miles
4.6/5
6 mi
Distance
45-60 min
Duration
out and-back
Route Type
4.6/5
Rating
Trail Overview
Start at iconic Minnehaha Falls and ride the creek trail west to Lake Nokomis and beyond. The trail passes through wooded creek bottoms, under bridges, and past small rapids — a surprisingly wild ride in the middle of the city. The falls themselves are a must-see landmark, and the route connects to the Minnehaha Parkway and Lake Nokomis loop.
Distance
6 miles
Difficulty
easy
Surface
Paved, well-maintained
Route Type
out and-back
Location
Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN
Neighborhood
Minnehaha / Nokomis

Trail Tags

scenicwaterfallwoodedfamily-friendly
What to Expect on This Aspen Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Iconic 53-foot Minnehaha Falls

Highlight 2

Wooded creek trail

Highlight 3

Connects to Lake Nokomis

Highlight 4

Historic Longfellow neighborhood
Points of Interest Along the Way
Minnehaha Falls

Creek-side riding

Lake Nokomis connection

Shaded woodland sections
Best Times to Ride

Early Morning (7–10 AM)

The best time to ride in Aspen. Trails are fresh, temperatures are cooler at altitude, and you'll beat the afternoon crowds on popular routes like Maroon Bells.

Late Morning (10 AM–Noon)

Great for longer rides when fully acclimatized. Aim to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.

Avoid Afternoons in Summer

Aspen summers bring rapid afternoon thunderstorms, especially above treeline. Start early and plan to return before 2–3 PM. Always bring a rain layer.

Gear Up Before You Ride

Before hitting Minnehaha Falls & Creek Trail, make sure you're fully prepared for high-altitude mountain biking. Check out our local Aspen bike shops for gear, mountain bike rentals, spare tubes, or a quick tune-up.

Aspen Cycling

Aspen's premier mountain bike shop, conveniently located near popular trailheads

Ute Mountaineer

Perfect for last-minute gear, trail maps, or a quick bike check before your ride

Safety Tips for Mountain Biking in Aspen, CO
  • •Wear a helmet: Always wear a properly fitted mountain bike helmet — Aspen trails are technical
  • •Acclimatize first: Aspen sits at 8,000 ft — give yourself 1-2 days to acclimatize before hard rides, especially if flying in
  • •Watch for thunderstorms: Afternoon summer storms build fast in the Rockies — start early and be off exposed terrain by 2 PM
  • •Bring water & snacks: High altitude increases dehydration. Bring more water than you think you need plus energy snacks
  • •Know wildlife etiquette: Aspen has bears, moose, and elk. Make noise on blind corners and know how to react to wildlife
Trail Location
Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN

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Current Weather
56°F
Partly Cloudy
5 mph
Wind
0 mm
Precipitation
Ride Conditions: Good

Decent riding conditions today.

Live data via Open-Meteo · Austin, TX

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