State trails

Gateway State Trail

hiking Hiking

Horseback Riding Horseback

Biking Biking

In-line Skating In-line skating

Cross-country Skiing Skiing

Wheelchair access Wheelchair access
(electric wheelchairs allowed)

Trail features

Gateway Trail Locationcheck boxRest area
Check boxFishing
Check boxSwimming

Gateway State Trail

Located on a converted rail-trail, the Gateway State Trail offers 18 miles of paved trail for non-motorized use.

The trail begins in the city of St. Paul, travels northeast through the cities of Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale, through Washington County, and ends at Pine Point Regional Park, just four miles northwest of the city of Stillwater. It is generally level and wheelchair accessible.

Map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Virtual tour
Slide show of photos taken on the Gateway State Trail. This slideshow requires the latest version of
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Trail notes

Trail Detour – June 10-14

Starting on June 10, a minor portion of the bike trail will be detoured onto the horse trail just west of the Highway 36 intersection. Please be aware that this detour will be gravel so take the time to slow down.

(last updated June 4, 2013)

Landscape

From St. Paul to Interstate 694, the Gateway State Trail travels through an urban setting that joins numerous parks and other local and regional trail connections, including the Phalen-Keller Regional Park and the Bruce Vento Regional Trail. Many trail users are surprised to find rural landscapes so close to the metro area.

The Gateway State Trail provides access to downtown St. Paul and the State Capitol Complex, yet also takes you past parks, lakes, wetlands, and fields.

Adjacent horse trail

East of Interstate 694, an adjacent unpaved trail is available for horseback riding and carriage driving. The unpaved treadway is approximately ten miles long, and runs through the more rural section of the trail.

Permits

You will need a horse pass if you will be horseback riding or carriage driving, and a ski pass for cross-country skiing. No other fees or passes are required to use the trail.

Links

 

  • Parking
  • Restrooms
  • In the area
  • Etiquette
  • Winter

Parking

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle!

Parking is available at the following trail accesses:
  • The North Saint Paul Trailhead, between First Street and Second Street just north of Seventh Avenue, next to the wind turbine
  • Flicek Park (City of Maplewood)
  • Maplewood Community Center, south of the intersection of County Road B and White Bear Avenue
  • The Ecology Center lot, northwest of the trail bridge over McKnight Road
  • 55th Street, east of Hadley Avenue (southwest corner of Highway 36 and Interstate 694)
  • Jamaca Avenue (at Jeffrey Avenue)
  • Near Lake Masterman on Highway 96 in Grant, under the Gateway State Trail bridge
  • Pine Point County Park, five miles north of Stillwater (fee charged)
  • Parking is also available along city streets that cross the trail

Restrooms

Restroom facilities are provided along the trail at these points:
  • Parking lot at 55th St., east of Hadley
  • Jamaca Ave.
  • Hwy 96, under the trail bridge
  • Lansing Ave. (May-October only)
  • Pine Point County Park
  • Other adjacent city and regional parks along the trail

In the area

Nearby DNR recreational areas include:

The following links will take you off the DNR website.
This information comes from Explore Minnesota Tourism This link leads to an external site.

This link leads to Explore Minnesota Tourism's website.

Trail etiquette

All users must yield to horses. Stop and dismount if requested.
  • Stay on the trail.
  • Keep to the right.
  • All pets must be on a leash.
  • Clean up all pet waste.
  • Obey traffic signs and rules.
  • Respect private property adjacent to the trail.
  • Camping and campfires are not permitted on the Gateway State Trail.
  • Enjoy the beauty of wild plants and animals, but leave them undisturbed for all to enjoy.
  • Minnesota Rules, 6100.3000 apply on the Gateway State Trail.

Winter use

During winter months the western portion of the trail between Cayuga Street in St. Paul and Jamaca Avenue in Grant is plowed.

The eastern portion between Jamaca Avenue in Grant and Pine Point Park is groomed for classical cross-country skiing. You will need a ski pass if you will be cross-country skiing.