Minnesota · Hiking

Woodlands Loop

Woodlands LoopPhoto: controltheweb from US, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.1 mi
loop
60 ft
climb
1,018 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Woodlands Loop is a 1.1-mile loop in Minnewashta Regional Park in Minnesota, on county land. The trail is short and easy, with a total elevation gain of about 60 feet. It starts at roughly 1,010 feet and reaches a high of about 1,018 feet, so the climb is gentle, and the steepest stretch comes at about half a mile in, with a grade of about 7 percent. Late spring through early fall is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 68°F in May to about 81°F in July, with September easing back to around 71°F. Lake Trail is half a mile away and Prairie Loop is 0.7 miles off. For winter, Ridge Trail and Lost Pond Trail are both within about 2 miles.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Woodlands Loop

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      22° / 6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 9°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      40° / 22°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 35°

      11 wet

    5. May

      68° / 47°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 58°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 62°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 60°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 51°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 38°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 25°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 12°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Chanhassen Wsfo, MN, 2.8 mi away at 946 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Lake TrailPhoto: controltheweb from US, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lake Trail

Next door

0.79-mile out-and-back trail with 229 ft gain in Minnesota.

Mazomani TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mazomani Trail

~17 min drive

5.60-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 429 ft elevation gain.

Chaska Lake TrailPhoto: Wylbur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Chaska Lake Trail

~13 min drive

1.78-mile out-and-back trail to Chaska Lake in Minnesota.

Minnesota Valley State Trail (Louisville Swamp Unit)Photo: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Minnesota Valley State Trail (Louisville Swamp Unit)

~20 min drive

5.65-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 407 ft elevation gain.

State Access TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

State Access Trail

~17 min drive

1.19-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 161 ft elevation gain.

River Bottoms TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

River Bottoms Trail

~26 min drive

8.68-mile out-and-back hike in Minnesota with 983 ft gain.

Blue Lake TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Blue Lake Trail

~17 min drive

3.61-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 300 ft elevation gain.

Long Meadow Lake TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Long Meadow Lake Trail

~29 min drive

Point-to-point trail to Long Meadow Lake through meadows and forest.

Minnesota Valley State Trail (Wilke Unit)Photo: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Minnesota Valley State Trail (Wilke Unit)

~18 min drive

1.90-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 295 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Lone Lake Mountain Bike Trail

~13 min drive

Fun 3.97-mile out-and-back mountain bike trail near Lone Lake in Minnesota.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors