Dakota Rail Trail
Posted by Bikeverywhere, July 20th, 2018
Vicky and I explored the western two thirds of the Dakota Rail Trail, from Mound to the end of the paved trail near Lester Prairie. This is a scenic part of the trail. It skirts Lake Waconia and flows through deep woods and open farmland, Most of the trail is shaded, so it is a good option for hot summer days and should be attractive for a fall color ride.
The trail also has two major attractions in Gale Woods Farm, a working educational farm run by Three Rivers Parks, and Big Stone Mini Golf, a quirky course with its own versions of the Spoonbridge and Cherry and the Bean among hundreds of other statues, pools, vegetable gardens and other attractions.
The Farm and the Golf Course supply meat and produce for Dakota Junction, a Farm to Table restaurant located on the trail in Mound.The restaurant is a good spot to start and end your ride, although the total distance from Mound to the end of the pavement near Lester Prairie is 20 miles, creating a round trip ride of 40 miles.