Dakota Rail Regional Trail: Map, Parking & Miles

The Dakota Rail Regional Trail forms an approximately 29-mile connection from Wayzata to Lester Prairie across Hennepin, Carver, and McLeod counties. Three Rivers Park District identifies 13.5 paved miles in Hennepin County, and Carver County identifies 12.4 miles within Carver County. Do not add only those two agency figures and treat the result as the full connected route.

Carver County's trail corridor extends between the Carver-McLeod and Carver-Hennepin county lines, with connected segments continuing to Lester Prairie and Wayzata. The sources in this guide do not assign a separate mileage to the McLeod County connection, so use each managing agency's current map and page for the segment you intend to travel.

Yes. As of August 2, 2026, Three Rivers says its Dakota Rail Regional Trail resurfacing project is complete and the trail is open regular hours. Three Rivers also says routine bridge maintenance near Tanager Lake in Orono is taking place while regional trails remain open to the public.

The Three Rivers segment's regular hours are 5 AM to 10 PM. Construction, weather and maintenance can change conditions quickly, so check the official Three Rivers notice for the Hennepin County segment and Carver County's trail page for the Carver County segment before leaving.

The official Dakota Rail Trail map and parking details depend on the county segment. Three Rivers lists seven designated public parking areas from Wayzata to Mayer, while Carver County identifies public parking near New Germany, Mayer, Waconia and St. Bonifacius. Use the relevant agency's map and a named public access point rather than assuming a road crossing or nearby lot allows trail parking.

Open the Three Rivers Dakota Rail map and guide for the Hennepin County segment and the Carver County regional trails page for the Carver County segment before choosing a parking location.

Three Rivers lists parking at 175 Grove Lane and 3401-3465 Lyric Avenue in Wayzata; 5515 Lynwood Boulevard in Mound; Gale Woods Farm; 4150 Bell Street and 8973 Partridge Road in St. Bonifacius; and State Highway 25 at First Street Northwest in Mayer.

Carver County identifies public access near County Roads 30 and 33 in New Germany, Highway 25 and County Road 30 in Mayer, County Road 10 northwest of Lake Waconia in Waconia, and Kennedy Memorial Drive and Bell Street in St. Bonifacius. Follow posted restrictions and current agency notices at every location.

Winter maintenance changes by segment. Three Rivers says it generally plows its maintained regional-trail sections from mid-November through March and specifically lists Dakota Rail in Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park, Wayzata, Orono, and Mound from County Road 110 to Seton Channel; other Three Rivers Dakota Rail segments are not maintained.

Carver County Parks does not maintain its Dakota Rail Regional Trail segment during December through March. A plowed segment is not a guarantee of bare pavement after every storm, so check the current maintenance information before planning a winter walk, run or ride.

Yes. Both agencies describe Dakota Rail as a paved multiuse trail for walking, hiking, bicycling, running, inline skating and roller skiing. At Three Rivers, dogs must be on a six-foot non-retractable leash unless they are in a designated off-leash area, and owners must pick up after them.

Carver County requires dogs to be leashed no longer than six feet. At road crossings, Carver County says cross traffic does not stop for trail users: obey traffic signs and stop where required. Motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, are prohibited on the Carver County segment.

On the Lake Minnetonka side, Three Rivers routes the Dakota Rail Regional Trail through Wayzata, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park, Mound, Minnetrista and St. Bonifacius. West of St. Bonifacius, the connected Carver County trail runs near Lake Waconia and continues through the county toward the McLeod County line.

For a home search, a town name alone does not confirm convenient trail access. I would check the actual address against a designated entrance, crossings, parking and the segment's winter-maintenance status. For a different Lake Minnetonka corridor, compare the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail guide.