Name: Pike Island Loop
Rating: 3.9

Toolbox

Save to Apple Watch
Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views

Family Friendly A great loop that starts from a historic fort and travels along the banks of two impressive rivers.

The park is open from 8 am to 10 pm.

Overview

This loop of Pike Island gives hikers the chance to explore the Mississippi and Minnesota River Valleys and the point where the two rivers converge.

Description

Starting at the Historic Fort Snelling, you'll descend in the Mississippi and Minnesota River valleys and see the point where these two great rivers converge. You'll the see impact that these rivers have had on the landscape and on Minnesota history. Pike Island is home to a variety of bird species including bald eagles and great blue herons. Make sure you remember the binoculars!

Flora & Fauna

Beavers, river otters, herons, egrets, and bald eagles.

Contacts

Land Manager: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Fort Snelling State Park

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Full Details

Trail Ratings

3.9 from 18 votes

#1

in Fort Snelling State Park

#2490

Overall

3.9 from 18 votes

5 Star		28%
4 Star		44%
3 Star		22%
2 Star		6%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

14 Views Last Month

6,053 Since Nov 18, 2016

		83%
		8%
		8%
		0%
		0%
		0%

Add a Photo

Photos

Aug 7, 2017 near Mendota…, MN

The Mississippi and Minnesota River confluence is quite a sight.

Mar 17, 2017 near Mendota…, MN

Confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, New Year's Day, 2023.

Jan 2, 2024 near Mendota…, MN

On the Pike Island loop trail in winter.

Jan 2, 2024 near Mendota…, MN

Jun 24, 2015 near Mendota…, MN

Minnesota River at Wita Tanka (Pike Island), Fort Snelling State Park, Minnesota.

Jul 19, 2019 near Mendota…, MN

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown

Update Conditions See History

Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 1, 2024

BK Hope

First Day hike

Jun 11, 2020

Peter Freeberg

Long day Lucas forgot the lunch

May 17, 2020

Jason Molesky

Great family hike around the island. Easy trail. — 2h 00m

Aug 27, 2018

Maura Kelly

3.8mi

Jul 29, 2018

Valerie Ramberg

Island had just been under water so the trail was muddy in a few spots. 3.9mi — 1h 40m

Jul 26, 2018

Natasha Zajicek

May 26, 2018

Ben Stacer

Sep 30, 2017

Kris Johnson

Jul 25, 2017

Christine Battist

Wonderful gem of a hike with views of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Large canopy of trees cover the island. Easy, flat him, but wonderful ju 4mi

Jun 20, 2017

Ryan Decker

May 6, 2017

Ian McLinden

A couple sections of the trail are flooded but can easily be navigated around

Apr 16, 2017

Kevin Killingbeck

15mi

Apr 1, 2017

Kaitlyn Dormer

Easy walk with nice views of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. 3.9mi

Feb 26, 2017

Kevin Killingbeck

3.4mi

Jan 22, 2017

Jon Beecher

Jan 22, 2017

Dexter Immaneni

Nov 22, 2016

Kevin Killingbeck

3.6mi — 1h 00m

Nov 21, 2016

Kevin Killingbeck

6.4mi — 2h 30m

Sep 19, 2016

Kevin Killingbeck

3.3mi — 2h 00m

Nearby Recommended Routes

Minnehaha Falls Regional Park

2.2 mi 3.6 km • 201' Up 61.21 m Up • 201' Down 61.25 m Down

West Sa…, MN

Walking next to large tree on the Eagle Point Lake Loop

Red Trail

3.8 mi 6.1 km • 207' Up 62.98 m Up • 212' Down 64.53 m Down

Lake Elmo, MN

Stop to enjoy the wildflowers, especially if you get tired going up the hill.

Afton Tour North

10.4 mi 16.7 km • 1,229' Up 374.56 m Up • 1,230' Down 374.87 m Down

Afton, MN

Going east toward the trailhead on the State Trail Access Trail.

Louisville Swamp 3-Mile Loop

2.9 mi 4.7 km • 120' Up 36.51 m Up • 120' Down 36.67 m Down

Carver, MN

Eastman Nature Center Pond - Elm Creek Park Reserve.

Elm Creek Loop

5.8 mi 9.3 km • 280' Up 85.26 m Up • 281' Down 85.6 m Down

Osseo, MN

Crow Hassan Perimeter Loop

7.5 mi 12.0 km • 330' Up 100.63 m Up • 323' Down 98.55 m Down

Saint M…, MN

Your Rating:
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites:	Add To-Do · Your List

Pike Island Loop

“The Pike Island Loop is a relaxed, family-friendly hike around one of Minnesota’s most significant islands. ”

3.9

6.3

Loop

781' 238 m

695' 212 m

289' 88 m

289' 88 m

3%

25%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views

Family Friendly A great loop that starts from a historic fort and travels along the banks of two impressive rivers.

Overview

Description

Flora & Fauna

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#2490

#1

#16

#2,490

Photos

0 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Minnehaha Falls Regional Park

Red Trail

Afton Tour North

Louisville Swamp 3-Mile Loop

Elm Creek Loop

Crow Hassan Perimeter Loop

Join the Community