If you are in Zimmerman or Elk River and are looking for nature trails to hike or bike on, look no further! From paved to unpaved trails, with views of prairies to forests, there’s something for everybody. You can plan your next outdoor adventure from the list of trails below.
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Located in Zimmerman with around 30,700 acres of Oak Savanna, wetlands, and big woods, you can easily spend an entire day here. Blue Hill Trail can be found 1.2 miles west of the refuge headquarters, containing three loops of unpaved hiking trails totaling 4.9 miles. Mahnomen Trail, 0.2 miles east of the refuge headquarters, has three loops of unpaved hiking trails totaling 3 miles. Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive is a 7.3-mile dirt road open to vehicles, hikers, and bikers. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sherburne
Woodland Trails Regional Park
The City of Elk River characterizes Woodland Trails Regional Park as the “crown jewel of the Elk River Park System.” The 427-acre park consists of woods, wetlands, and prairies, with about 10 miles of distance-marked hiking trails. Included in the park is the Great Northern Trail, a paved 4.75-mile-long trail. Venture on 5 miles of unpaved trails that meander through the park. Since 2020, the park has featured an archery range with eight targets ranging from 10-40 yards with 16 positions available to shoot from. https://www.elkrivermn.gov/facilities/facility/details/Woodland-Trails-Park-31
Grams Regional Park Picnic Shelter Spanning around 100 acres with approximately 2 miles of trails and boardwalk, Grams Regional Park in Zimmerman would make for a great afternoon walk and picnic with the family. A fun feature of this park is that it is a part of the YMCA’s Unlock It Adventure Series, an outdoor scavenger hunt. Download a map and clues to unlock letters that form a keyword. At the end of the scavenger hunt, unscramble the letters to form a keyword and submit the keyword to the YMCA Unlock It website for a chance to win prizes such as passes to the Science Museum of Minnesota and Minnesota Viking’s collectibles. https://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Grams-Regional-Park-3
