Stillwater via Browns Creek Trail

A road and trail ride.

Approximate distance: 40 mi (roundtrip)


This is a ride from Shoreview to Stillwater that includes one of the most popular newer state trails – Browns Creek Trail. The route first heads west of Shoreview and then turns south in White Bear Lake to pass south of the White Bear Lake in Mahtomedi. The route continues east and then heads northeast on the Gateway Trail to the intersection with Browns Creek Trail. The route follows this trail east towards Stillwater. The first portion of the Browns Creek Trail winds through relatively flat wooded areas but the later portion of the trail enters a scenic canyon as it descends into the St Croix River valley to the north of Stillwater. Other than this last section of the Browns Creek Trail, most of the route is relatively flat. The road portions of the route have good shoulders.


Note: From downtown Stillwater, you can ride an extra 4.7 miles on the St Croix River Crossing Loop Trail. Follow the bike trail south to the Hwy 36 St Croix Crossing bridge. Ride across the bridge on its pedestrian path. After crossing the bridge, follow the trail through Houlton back to a steep hill that takes you down to the Stillwater Lift Bridge where you cross back to downtown Stillwater completing the loop.


Directions:

  • From the Shoreview CC, take Hwy 96 east.

  • Continue east past I-35E to Otter Lake Rd.

  • Turn south on Otter Lake Rd. and continue to Scheuneman Rd.

  • Turn east on Scheuneman Rd and then turn south on Hoffman Rd and then east on Cty Rd F.

  • Cross Hwy 61 and continue east to E County Line Rd.

  • Turn south on E County Line Rd and go to Cedar St.

  • Turn east on Cedar St which curves to the southeast and becomes Hall Ave.

  • Follow Hall Ave to Wildwood Beech Rd and turn northeast onto that road.

  • Turn right at Ash St and cross Mn Hwy 243 to Mahtomedi Ave.

  • Turn east onto Stillwater Rd which is Washington Cty Rd 12.

  • Access the Gateway Trail on the north side of the road just after Wildwood School.

  • Continue on the Gateway Trail several miles to the Browns Creek Trail.

  • Go east on the Browns Creek Trail about 6 miles to Stillwater.

  • Return to the Shoreview CC via the same route.


Route section approximate distances (see map):

  • Shoreview CC to Willernie – 10 mi

  • Willernie to Gateway Trail – 2 mi

  • Gateway Trail to Browns Creek Trail part 1 – 4 mi

  • Browns Creek Trail part 2 – 2 mi

  • Browns Creek trail part 3 to Stillwater – 2 mi