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Print Friendly MapThe Douglas State Trail occupies the railbed of the former Chicago Great Western Railway corridor between the cities of Rochester and Pine Island. Several of the concrete obelisk railroad mile markers are still visible along parts of the route.
Along the trail, users are treated to a diverse, bucolic landscape of verdant agricultural land, rolling fields, and forest. Not far from Rochester, the trail passes through its namesake town of Douglas. The trail is paved over its entire route, but there is also a parallel natural-surface treadway for horseback riders and snowmobilers. In Rochester, connect directly with the Douglas-Cascade Trail to continue farther into Rochester’s extensive 60-mile trail system within the city.
The trail crosses over the Zumbro River and two creeks along the route as it winds through a canopy of hardwoods lining the trail. It also passes by, and through, working farms, mixing agriculture with nature along its route. Recently widened and repaved, the trail provides a smooth, flat ride throughout. Two bridges damaged in the floods of 2010 closed the trail for two years but have since been repaired.
Just before crossing County Road 3, about 4 miles south of Pine Island, you can rest at a shelter next to the trail. There is a gravel parking lot providing access to the trail from New Haven Road. A couple of benches at other points on the trail provide convenient rest stops along the route.
Ample parking and services at each major trailhead make it easy to enjoy segments of this trail: about 8 miles between Douglas and Pine Island to the north or the 4-mile stretch between Rochester and Douglas in the southern segment.
Several county roads (some gravel) intersect this trail along its course, providing short-looped excursions off the main route. There is often limited parking at these intersections.
The Pine Island trailhead offers a Borrow-a-Bike program for those who would like to ride the trail.
Three trailheads along the route provide parking and restrooms, and all are accessible within a few miles from US 52.
To reach the northern trailhead from Saint Paul, go 59.7 miles south on US 52, and take the County Road 11 exit. Turn right onto Center Drive, and in 0.5 mile turn left onto First Ave. N.E. Pine Island City Park is on the left.
To reach the Douglas trailhead midway along the trail, from Saint Paul, go 69.1 miles south on US 52, and take Exit 61 for US 63/CR 14/75th St. N.W. Turn right onto 75th St. N.W./CR 14, and go 2.6 miles. Parking is on the left.
To reach the southern trailhead in Rochester, from Saint Paul, go 71.2 miles south on US 52, and take Exit 59 for CR 22 W./W. Circle Drive/55th St. N.W. Turn right onto 55th St. N.W./W. Circle Drive, and go 2 miles. Turn left onto Valleyhigh Drive N.W. in Rochester. The parking lot will be on your left in 0.2 mile.
Being from the Twin Cities, I still try to hit this trail once a year. I like it a lot. But even on a Wednesday, the trail can get very busy with walkers, runners and other cyclists especially at the Rochester end.
First time on this trail Sunday morning 8/10/2024. Rode from Hyatt Rochester to Pine Island and back. Started at 6:30am, got to Pine Island at 7:45am (Bathrooms were locked, which I expected being early). Took a short break and went back to the Hyatt for breakfast. Done around 9:05am.
Conditions of the asphalt are pretty decent. I like that the crossings are well marked and clear (of trees and bushes) and visible. One downed tree a couple miles from Pine Island that I had to dismount and carry over. Other than that, no stopping which is really nice.
Nothing spectacular, but a really nice morning ride! I'd probably give it 5 stars if it wasn't so thick on the tree line that you really can't see any of the scenery, but that has the benefit of 95% shade on those sunny hot days.... Probably only saw 25-30 ppl on the trail both directions combined.
We're from the Twin Cities and parked in Pine Island to ride south toward Rochester. Trailhead in Pine Island is nice with restrooms, playground, wooded with asphalt path winding through. Early in the trail, cross the Zumbro River. Nice tree canopy for most of the ride. Missed taking the underpass (trail wasn't marked) and rode about half a mile before we turned around. Back on the trail through lovely rural Minnesota. Did about 13 miles and turned around for a total ride of about 26 miles. Trail in great shape overall and nice ride.
Great trail but needs repair, mowing needs to be done more to keep weeds off trail , northern end better maintained Rochester to rail bridge need work
This is the best trail in the Rochester area- only occasionally have to cross a lightly used road. Great natural surroundings with no close parallel highway. Path is pretty straight and level, and at 12 miles in length it’s the longest in the area. I Highly recommend it
I rode from Pine Island to a park in northern Rochester and back, total of 22 miles R/T. 95% of the ride was under tree canopy, so perfect trail for you "shade worshippers" like me (having recently been diagnosed with skin cancer). Condition of trail is not perfect (which trails are?), but certainly very good. A few spots are rough and in need of some maintenance. Very flat and comfortable ride. Weren't a lot of "creatures" along the way, but did see squirrels, gophers, Baltimore Oriole and a lone deer.
Only negative comment I have is that there were several road crossings that slowed me down, but they were gravel roads with minimal vehicle traffic.
Definitely near the top of my "best" list.
Nice trail. Canopy tee covered , farm land, over a couple of bridges, under one underpass. Not very crowded.
I began riding the Douglas Trail when my son, Shem, was 2 years. He's now 40!. Over the years, we must have ridden it, literally, thousands of miles. We liked beginning our rides from Pine Island. Shem and I also enjoyed "night riding" under the moonlight. The Douglas Trail is Heaven On Earth to me !!!!
I rode this trail from Pine Island to Rochester and back. The trail pavement was in very good condition--a smooth ride the entire way. Most of the trail is covered with a canopy of trees, providing nice shade.
Trail remains as previously described. Beautiful tree canopies, especially just north of Rochester. Beautiful bicycle overpass looks to be ready to open anytime on the northwest side.
The Douglas Trail passes through verdant farm country north of Rochester. The trail is smooth & flat yet the scenery is varied with some open sunny stretches, as well as deeply shaded sections. The meandering Zumbro River runs nearby. On the Rochester end you can ride an extra mile or so near the IBM campus and then get onto city trails. There are several bridges which allow you to cross busy roads without waiting or danger. The city of Douglas has an easy to find starting point.
Pine Island is a quaint, small town with interesting, historic architecture. You'll also find cafe's and a good convenience store--Kwik Trip. The starting point has had a bridge wash-out, so you have to detour on city streets for a block or two. There's a place that borrows bikes for free--"Borrow-A-Bike" on weekends. For variety, you could take county road 3 (wide shoulder) from Pine Island south to make a loop with the trail. The only drawback with this trail is that it's so short before you know it you're done.
I wasn't expecting such a nice smooth ride virtually all the way from Pine Island to Rochester, what a treat even though we peddled in the rain from Douglas to Pine Island. If you hate hills this is your ride, the elevation couldn't have varied more than a few feet. The scenery is wonderful. Tree canopy keeps you cool. Hope this eventually connects to other SE MN trails.
The north end of the Douglas State Trail has now been resurfaced. The roughest part of the trail is now the two miles immediately north of Douglas - the section that was last resurfaced about ten years ago (approximately milepost 4.5-6.5).
The north end of the Douglas State Trail has now been resurfaced. The roughest part of the trail is now the two miles immediately north of Douglas - the section that was last resurfaced about ten years ago (approximately milepost 4.5-6.5).
"This is the trail that passes my neighborhood. The southern 6.5 miles are relatively smooth having been resurfaced in the last few years. The north end, however is quite rough for cycling and nearly impossible for inline skating."
"This is a short, flat, mostly straight trail that will appeal mostly to fans of fields. We prefer forested, wet, curving trails with more changes in terrain."
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