Easy overnight bike tour route from and back to Minneapolis, making the most of the excellent bike trails like the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, the Dakota Rail RT and the Luce Line RT. Not only a safe ride, it's also pretty much flat!

This is a must do for any biking enthusiast visiting the Twin Cities. The entire ride is on bike trails! Even for a novice rider, this is a safe ride. This Minneapolis Overnight Bike Tour is a fantastic way to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

This route is low on hills and features a variety of landscapes, from lakes and glacial hills to woodlands and prairies; it will take you through rolling hills, railroad crossings, and overpasses. If you want to take it easy and slow, this is a great route for the whole family to enjoy.

Average Daily Distance: 28 miles

Average Daily Elevation Gain: 670 feet

Terrain: 50% paved roads / 50% unpaved roads

Recommended Bike Type: Road Bike / Gravel Bike / Ebike

Route Type: Loop

Best Months: June / July / August

Highlights

• Experience a world class network of bike paths and trails as you cycle out of the city as you cycle the scenic route, passing a long list of beautiful lakes just west of Minneapolis.
• Explore the Carver Park Reserve with its more than 3500 acres, you can find all kinds of habitats along the winding trails, rolling wooded terrain and interconnected lakes and marshes.
• Sample the tasty fusion of Midwestern and Asian cuisine, excellent craft beer and vibrant art scene in Minneapolis.

Itinerary

Day 1 Minneapolis to Lake Auburn Campground (24 mi)

Leave the city from one of its landmarks: The Spoonbridge and Cherry Sculpture. From there you will follow dedicated bike paths for most of the way to the Carver Park Reserve.

Day 2 Lake Auburn Campground to Minneapolis (31 mi) 

The return journey is a little longer than yesterday's ride, but equally pleasant with a mostly flat ride.

Route Map