State trails

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

hiking Hiking

Biking Biking

In-line skating In-line skating

Horseback riding Horseback riding

Skiing Skiing

Snowmobiling Snowmobiling

Wheelchair access Wheelchair access
(electric wheelchairs allowed)


Trail features

Sakatah Singing Hills Trail Location check boxRest area
Check box Fishing
Check box Camping
swimming Swimming

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Located on a converted rail-trail, the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail offers 39 miles of paved trail. The trail begins at Lime Valley Road near State Highway 14, joins the Minnesota River Trail in Mankato, follows a signed route on city streets through Waterville, passes through three miles of Sakatah Lake State Park, and ends east of Interstate 35 in Faribault. 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 Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. This slideshow requires the latest version of
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Landscape

The trail lies in the transition zone between what was once the "Big Woods" and the vast prairies. Remnants of these plant communities can still be found scattered throughout what is now cultivated land.

Sakatah Lake State Park is along the trail, and provides a separate bicycling campground, picnic grounds, boat access, and additional hiking trails. There are several other lakes and public parks within an easy ride of the trail.

Primary trail uses

The trail has been developed for bicycling, in-line skating, horseback riding, skiing, hiking, and snowmobiling. Snowmobiles with studded tracks are prohibited on the trail, except for the section from Waterville to Faribault.

Permits

You will need a horse pass if you will be horseback riding, a ski pass for cross-country skiing, and a snowmobile state trail sticker for snowmobiling.

No other fees or passes are required to use the trail, although parking in the state parks does require a daily or annual pass.

 

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

Parking

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle!

Parking is available at the following trail accesses:

Mankato:

  • North on County Road 57 to Lime Valley Road; 1/4 mile north.
  • North on State Highway 22.

Eagle Lake:

  • West on State Highway 14 to County Road 86; one mile north.

Madison Lake:

  • State Highway 60 to Main Street, three blocks north on Main Street.

Elysian:

  • Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail Wayside Rest Area.

Waterville:

  • State Highway 60 to State Highway 13; 1/4 mile north on 13.

Morristown:

  • State Highway 60 to County Road 16; west on State Highway 60 1/4 mile.

Shager County Park:

  • On State Highway 60.

Faribault:

  • State Highway 60 and County Road 21; north on County Road 21 1/2 mile.

Restrooms

Restroom facilities are provided along the trail at the points below.
  • Elysian: Year-round wheelchair accessible wayside rest building with running water.
  • Faribault: Year-round wheelchair accessible wayside rest building with running water.
  • Sakatah Lake State Park: Seasonal bathrooms with running water. (Not available in winter.)
  • Wheelchair accessible portable toilets are available Mid-May to Labor Day at the Highway 22, Madison Lake, Morristown, and Shager Park parking Lots.(Not available in winter.)

 

In the area

Nearby DNR recreational areas include:

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.
  • Pack out all garbage and litter.
  • Respect private property adjacent to the trail.
  • Give an audible signal to warn other trail users when passing. Some horses may be spooked by quiet bikers or in-line skaters. Let them know you are passing.
  • Camping and campfires are permitted only on designated campsites. Do not leave campfires unattended.
  • Enjoy the beauty of wild plants and animals, but leave them undisturbed for all to enjoy.
  • Minnesota Rules, 6100.3000 apply on the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail.

Winter use

Primary uses of the trail include hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, and the entire 39 mile corridor is open to these uses. Snowmobiles with studded tracks are prohibited on the trail, except for the section from Waterville to Faribault.

You will need a ski pass if you will be cross-country skiing, and your snowmobile will need the proper registration.