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 of the trail This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
Slide show of photos taken on the Gateway State Trail. This slideshow requires the latest version of
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Trail notes

Candlelight Hike
February 11, 2012 from 6-9 p.m.

Join us for the first candlelight hike on the Gateway State Trail! A one mile stretch of trail will be lit by candles from the 55th St parking lot in Oakdale east to Highway 36. Warm up by a fire and enjoy refreshments at the midway point of the hike. Recommended parking is at the 55th St parking lot, near the intersection of Highway 36 and Hadley Avenue.

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.

Proposed new trail segment

The DNR has signed an option to purchase the former Minnesota Zephyr railroad line, and intends to convert the railroad line to a 5.9-mile recreational trail connecting downtown Stillwater to the Gateway State Trail. Map of the proposed Browns Creek trail segment This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it..

The trail is expected to be heavily used and to be of great benefit to the city of Stillwater. The proposed Browns Creek State Trail would be a segment of the Willard Munger State Trail, running parallel to Highway 95. It would:

  • pass through stretches of scenic woods
  • preserve the area around Browns Creek, a designated trout stream
  • connect to the Gateway State Trail in the city of Grant
  • create an unbroken trail from the urban Twin Cities into west central Washington County
  • be constructed on a former railroad grade, making it generally level and highly accessible

Browns Creek State Trail planning and public input

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 I-694 and Cayuga Street is plowed.

The eastern portion between I-694 and Pine Point Park is left unplowed to allow cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter walking. You will need a ski pass if you will be cross-country skiing.