Mississippi River Trail
Trail Guide
moderate

Mississippi River Trail

Riverfront / Northeast
12 miles
4.7/5
12 mi
Distance
1.5-2 hours
Duration
point to-point
Route Type
4.7/5
Rating
Trail Overview
The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) through Minneapolis follows the river from the northern city limits all the way to Fort Snelling. The Minneapolis section passes the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, Nicollet Island, Boom Island, and the river gorge below the University of Minnesota. It's a mix of paved trail and on-street lanes, with dramatic river bluffs, historic mills, and skyline views.
Distance
12 miles
Difficulty
moderate
Surface
Paved, well-maintained
Route Type
point to-point
Location
Mississippi River Trail, Minneapolis, MN
Neighborhood
Riverfront / Northeast

Trail Tags

scenicriverfronthistoricpaved
What to Expect on This Aspen Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Iconic Stone Arch Bridge crossing

Highlight 2

Dramatic Mississippi River gorge

Highlight 3

Historic mill district views

Highlight 4

Connects to regional trail network
Points of Interest Along the Way
River views
Historic Stone Arch Bridge
Skyline views
Connects to Fort Snelling
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 Mississippi River 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

Mississippi River Trail, 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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