Local Running Routes & Trails
Looking for a new place to run? We’ve put together some of our favorite local road and trail routes to help you explore more of what the St. Croix River Valley has to offer. Whether you’re training for a race, getting in some weekend miles, or just out for a scenic jog, you’ll find mapped routes you can upload directly to Strava, plus great parks for trail running—all with drive times from Stillwater listed. Lace up and discover a new favorite loop!
Stillwater Running Routes
How would you like your hill today?
"The Loop"
What’s the hill like?
The Viking’s/Packer’s rivalry: Exhilarating, with fantastic views, but a brutal climb for Minnesotans and the only way to the top is through Wisconsin.
You can either get the hill out of the way first by crossing straight over the Lift Bridge and climbing all 150 feet in 1 mile. Or spread it out over 3 miles by taking a right on onto the River Trail at the Water Street Inn and heading south to the Highway 36 bridge.
Add on 1-2 miles by looping the neighborhoods up in Houlton at the top of the Lift Bridge hill.
Brown's Creek-> McKusick
What’s the hill like?
A Minnesota goodbye. Pleasant enough, but you’ll be on it forever. It’s 2.75 miles of uphill before you turn left onto McKusick Road and head back into town.
Alternative return on the south side of the lake by taking a right onto the lake board walk at mile 3.5
Long Lake Loop
What’s the hill like?
A January cold snap: Climb all 150′ in less than a mile. It’s not pleasant, but everyone suffers through it together. Just like those -10 degree days, it’ll be over before you know and that will be it…right?
Alternative shortened route (8 miles) by heading back to downtown via Stillwater Blvd and Olive Streets.
Bayport Prairie Loop
What’s the hill like?
Classic work avoidance. Put off going up the hill until mile 3. Then climb over 100 feet in less than a mile.
But it was worth putting it off, right?
Shorten this route to 8 miles by skipping the St. Croix Prep trail section.
Fairy Falls Loop
What’s the hill like?
Like drinking full-blast from a garden hose. 200 feet of gain in less than a mile. Refreshing once it’s done, but not pretty getting there.
Miles 3-4.5 follow a dirt path around country farm fields, giving English countryside vibes.
Lower St. Croix Valley parks and trails
Get off the beaten path for a hike or a trail run at a regional park.
Drive Time From Stillwater
- Pine Point County Park ~8 min (view route)
- St. Croix County “Homestead” park ~13 min (view route)
- Lake Elmo ~15 min (view route)
- William O’ Brien State Park ~15 min (view route)
- Willow River State Park ~15 min (view route)
- Belwin Conservatory ~17 min (view route)
- Afton State Park ~18 min (view route)
Pine Point Regional Park
This small county park packs a big punch. 5 miles of trails snake through majestic pines, along marsh-lined lakes, and through rolling pastures
Suggested route:
Loop the outer loop on the west side of the road for just over a 5k.
Homestead Park
This is another lesser-known park close to Stillwater. Large hills dominate the landscape. There’s a great mix of woods and fields and rare that you’ll run into anyone while you are out there.
Suggested Route:
Park at the St. Joseph Nature Preserve entrance. Running the outer loop to Perch Lake and back is 2.5 miles.
Lake Elmo Park Preserve
Get out and explore Lake Elmos 2,000+ acre park preserve. From Downtown Stillwater, it’s faster to park at Sunfish Lake Park’s lot (also a great park!) and run south on the entrance road to the northern part of Lake Elmo
Suggested Route:
Loop the Northwestern side of the park around Eagle Point Lake. The embedded Strava route is 8 miles, but there are a few short cuts (or extensions) you can take by checking out the trail maps that dot each intersection.
William O' Brien State Park
Enjoy Afton’s cousin to the north. There’s great views of the river valley, but also routes that reduce elevation changes if you’re looking for a flatter route.
Suggested Route:
The full outer loop (without going down to the river) is a little less than 8 miles. You can avoid some of the biggest hills and shorten the distance to 5 miles by staying on the “Woodland Edge Trail” instead of taken the bonus loops.
Willow River State Park
Nearly 3,000 acres public land await you on the Wisconsin side of the river at Willow River State Park. One of the most impressive water falls in the Twin Cities’ metro sits at the center of the park. A mixture of woods, marsh, and prairie ring the river valley.
Suggested Route:
Park at the River Road trailhead and loop “Little Falls Lake”. There’s a mixture of hilly stretches, and flat land along the river. You’ll pass right by the falls on the return.
Belwin Conservancy
5 miles of trails through rolling prairie highlight this park. There’s also bison to see in the summer months (in a different part of the park from the running trails)
Suggested route:
Loop the outer loop of the Stagecoach Prairie. 2.5 miles for one lap.
Afton State Park
Enjoy the ever-popular, sprawling trail system of Afton. There’s large hills in and out of the river valley for extra strength training, or gentler terrain up on the prairie.
Suggested Route:
You can shorten the drive and avoid some of the biggest hills (and crowds!) by parking at the 50th street trailhead and looping the prairie trails. 5 miles for the suggested route on this page, but this can easily be modified up or down depending on what you want for mileage.