Minnesota River Greenway, Fort Snelling Segment

​Dakota County is constructing a new, 3.6-mile segment of the Minnesota River Greenway within Fort Snelling State Park in Eagan.  This project will connect the Cedar-Nicols Trailhead and the Lone Oak Trailhead. It will pr​ovide a continuous greenway from Interstate 35W in Burnsville to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul.

The finished greenway segment will consist of a 9.5-foot paved trail with several boardwalks crossing streams and wetlands. A 1/3-mile bridge will provide a crossing over railroad tracks near the Lone Oak Trailhead. Greenway amenities will include:

• Rest areas and seating
• Wayfinding signage
• Other features consistent with Dakota County Greenway standards

Construction updates

Trail construction will resume in spring 2026 with completion expected in summer. Bridge construction continues and is expected to conclude in October 2026. Please check the Fort Snelling Sta​te Park website for any park closures.

​Lone Oak Trailhead closed

The Lone Oak Trailhead, the parking lot and a short segment of the nearby trail is closed for bridge construction. The trail can be accessed at the Big Rivers Trailhead. The construction area is closed to the public.​ ​Go to Big Rivers Regional Trail.

Questions?

For trail project questions, contact:

Joe Morneau, Project Manager​
Dakota County
joe.mo​rneau@co.dakota.mn.us
952-891-7986

For bridge project questions​, contact:

Luisa Torres, Senior Project Manager
Dakota County Parks
luisa.torres@co.dakota.mn.us
952-891-7028