Spring is in the air in Polk County, bringing budding trees and blooming wildflowers. It's an amazing time of year to spend time outdoors, and our real estate agents are excited to share their favorite places for a spring hike or bike ride in the Crookston area. 

Where to Hike and Bike in Crookston, MN

The wide-open landscape of Northwest Minnesota is ripe for exploration. From woodland trails to paved bike paths, these are some of the best places to take a spring nature walk or go for a bike ride near these Crookston homes for sale.

Agassiz Recreational Trail - Crookston, MN

Address: MN-102, Crookston, MN 56716

A rail trail project that converted an abandoned 53-mile railroad grade into a multipurpose trail, the Agassiz Recreational Trail connects several communities in Northwestern Minnesota. Starting on the south side of Crookston, the trail parallels Highway 102 toward the village of Fertile before continuing south alongside Highway 32 to Gary, Twin Valley, and Ulen. With a flat surface of dirt, gravel, and grass, the trail is open to hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATV use. 

Aunt Polly's Slough Trails - Crookston, MN

Address: 107 Lincoln Ave., Crookston, MN 56716

Meandering through woods and wetlands alongside the Red Lake River, the Aunt Polly's Slough Trails offer a picturesque setting for hiking and biking a stone's throw from town. Restricted to bicycles and foot traffic only, the trails total about 1.75 miles, making them ideal for a quick nature walk. Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream is a perfect spot for a nearby post-hike snack. 

Bottineau Trail - Red Lake Falls, MN

Address: 304 Bottineau Ave. NW, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750

Named after the 19th-century Minnesota frontiersman Pierre Bottineau, the 3-mile Bottineau Trail begins in the community of Red Lake Falls and heads northward through the beautiful rural countryside. The first mile or so of the trail passes through residential parts of the village before entering Riverside Park, a great place to access it. Highlights include the 467-foot-long Warren Pony Truss Bridge, built in 1915, spanning the Clearwater River. The trail is open to foot travel and bicycles, as well as snowmobiles and cross-country skis in winter. 

Red River Valley Natural History Area - Crookston, MN

Address: University Ave., Crookston, MN 56716

An 85-acre tract of land under the ownership of the University of Minnesota Crookston, Red River Valley Natural History Area, encompasses the former flat lake bed of glacial Lake Agassiz. Used for university programming and also open to the public, the area comprises a diverse ecosystem of prairie, aspen and cottonwood forest, willow swamp, and cattail marsh. It's a beautiful area for bird watching and spotting spring wildflowers, with 4.35 miles of trails.

Greenway of Greater Grand Forks - East Grand Forks, MN

Address: 819 12th St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721

The beautiful Greenway of Greater Grand Forks is a 21-mile trail system that links the cities of Grand Forks, ND, and East Grand Forks, MN. Easily accessed from River Heights Park on the Minnesota side—where there is ample parking—the Greenway allows hikers and cyclists to access each city via a pair of non-motorized bridges across the Red River. The trails also explore a vast area of undeveloped parklands on both sides. 

Contact us today to learn more about outdoor adventures in Northwest Minnesota. If you're looking for your dream home, our real estate agents are here to help you find it in the Crookston area.