Cedar Lake Trail

A bike trail transformed from railways linking Minneapolis neighborhoods and industrial history

Photography of the Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis and St. Louis Park. The trail follows a former railroad corridor that has been repurposed into a key route for cyclists and pedestrians since the early 1990s. This multi-use path connects urban and suburban areas while passing remnants of the region’s industrial past, including grain elevators and water towers.

Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis reopened with new lighting under an overpass as a person walks a dog at dusk. — *November 19, 2025* — The Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis is shown reopened with new overhead lighting beneath an overpass, as a person walks a dog along the paved corridor. The trail, a major bicycle and pedestrian route into downtown, had been closed for several years during nearby light-rail construction.

Autumn morning on the Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis — *October 16, 2025* — Biking towards Downtown Minneapolis on a autumn morning, a foggy haze covers the tops of the buildings.

New Cedar Lake Trail bench in Minneapolis — *October 9, 2025* — New bench installed on the Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis. The trail was rebuilt following construction of the new green line extension light rail project.

Cedar Lake Trail January Sunset — *January 30, 2025* — A sunset illuminates the Cedar Lake Trail, a multi-use path in Minneapolis. This trail occupies a former railroad corridor, part of a significant rail-to-trail conversion project in the Twin Cities. Opened in the early 1990s, the Cedar Lake Trail was among the first such conversions in the region, transforming disused railway lines into public infrastructure for active transportation and recreation. Today, it serves as a vital link for cyclists and pedestrians, connecting downtown Minneapolis with western suburbs and forming a key component of the city's extensive parkway and trail system.

Cedar Lake Trail July 2024 — *July 25, 2024* — The re-opened Cedar Lake Trail that was closed for years due to light rail construction.

Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis May 2022 — *May 6, 2022* — A cyclist rides along the Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis, with the city's downtown skyline visible in the background. This trail is part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a 50-mile loop of parkways and trails that encircles the city, connecting its lakes, parks, and neighborhoods. Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the parkway system was designed to provide residents with access to natural beauty and recreational opportunities within the urban environment.

Detour signs on a snow covered Cedar Lake Trail — *November 30, 2019* — A detour is in effect on the Cedar Lake Trail near 21st Street in Minneapolis, as indicated by orange traffic barrels and temporary fencing. The paved path is partially covered in snow and ice, with snowbanks lining the edges. A sign reads "DETOUR" with a bicycle symbol, and another sign indicates "TRAIL CLOSED."

The St. Louis Park water tower and grain elevators stand near the Cedar Lake Trail, a paved path on a former railroad corridor in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. — *September 9, 2017* — The Cedar Lake Trail in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, traverses a landscape marked by its industrial past, with the city's water tower and grain elevators standing as prominent landmarks. This paved trail follows a former railroad corridor, originally part of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, which was integral to the region's freight network and supported local industries. Developed in the 1990s, the trail represents an early example of transforming industrial infrastructure into a dedicated bicycle route, reflecting a broader shift towards sustainable transportation. The area's history as a manufacturing hub is still evident, with active rail lines and legacy industrial structures coexisting with the trail, which is now used by commuters and cyclists.

Cedar Lake Trail

Photographs showcasing change over time