Hillside City Park (Elk River) - Image 1
1 / 10

Hillside City Park Elk River

4.7
·225 reviews·Elk River, United States

Elk River's hidden gem: 6 miles of challenging singletrack mountain biking trails through a scenic oak forest, plus a skills area.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Ideal weather for biking

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Hillside City Park (Elk River) - Image 1

Hillside City Park Elk River

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Ideal weather for biking

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Elk River's hidden gem: 6 miles of challenging singletrack mountain biking trails through a scenic oak forest, plus a skills area.

4.7
(225 reviews)

"This is a hidden gem! I hiked a little over 6 miles. It was a fairly easy to moderate hike, and very enjoyable."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚵‍♀️ Intermediate+ Bikers

This trail is a gem for experienced riders, offering a good challenge with jumps and rocks.

🐶 Dogs Welcome on Leash

Bring your furry friends along for a hike or run, but ensure they are leashed.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Challenging Singletrack

Challenging Singletrack

Main trail loops

Six miles of technical singletrack with jumps, rock features, and varied terrain for an exhilarating ride.

Skills Course

Skills Course

Designated skills area

A dedicated area to practice jumps, berms, and other biking techniques, integrated right into the trail system.

Scenic Oak Forest

Scenic Oak Forest

Throughout the park

Enjoy picturesque landscapes as you navigate the trails through a beautiful oak forest setting.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Trail Difficulty & Skills

While Hillside City Park offers a rewarding 6-mile singletrack, it's best suited for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. Beginners might find the jumps and rock features challenging. Hikers and runners also enjoy the trails, with dogs permitted. Reddit

Access & Parking

The park features a skills area and is a great spot for biking, trail running, and hiking. Be aware that westbound access to the parking lot from Main Street requires a U-turn, as direct entry isn't possible. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring & Fall mornings
Why
Ideal weather for biking
Crowd
Low
When
Summer afternoons
Why
Good for a quick hike
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We get down in Elk River! #fyp #viral#weddingtiktok
@mmillard15
129.5K likes • 2.3M views

🚵‍♀️ Intermediate+ Bikers

This trail is a gem for experienced riders, offering a good challenge with jumps and rocks. InstagramReddit

🐶 Dogs Welcome on Leash

Bring your furry friends along for a hike or run, but ensure they are leashed. Reddit

Same ship, different view. The Albatross—lost to the Elk River in 1916. One of my favorite winter paddle locations.
@kwinmorris
4K likes • 16.9K views
30 Trails in 30 Days: Hillside City Park, Elk River, MN This trail is an absolute gem if you’ve never been! It’s a perfect stop on the way to Cuyuna from the cities for some fun looping skills course that is built in to every turn of the trail! Unlike many “bike parks” this one is right on the trail! With 6.6 miles of singletrack it’s a great trail for all ages, and levels. Green, blue and black...
kathleenpalmermn
98 likes • 3.1K views

🅿️ Parking Lot Access

Westbound traffic on Main St. needs to U-turn for parking lot access. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Great for Hiking

Even if you don't bike, the 6+ miles of trails are wonderful for hiking. Reddit

Nothing like the Elk River, but I could do without these. #elkriver #leeches #scenery #fyp #westvirginia
@mnbarney
3.5K likes • 123.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚵‍♀️ Intermediate+ Bikers

This trail is a gem for experienced riders, offering a good challenge with jumps and rocks. InstagramReddit

🐶 Dogs Welcome on Leash

Bring your furry friends along for a hike or run, but ensure they are leashed. Reddit

🅿️ Parking Lot Access

Westbound traffic on Main St. needs to U-turn for parking lot access. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Great for Hiking

Even if you don't bike, the 6+ miles of trails are wonderful for hiking. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(225 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Hillside City Park's challenging and rewarding 6-mile singletrack mountain bike trails, calling it a 'hidden gem' with a great skills area. Hikers and runners also find the trails enjoyable and scenic. The main drawback mentioned is the parking lot access for westbound traffic.

"This is a Really Good mountain bike trail, but it may it be great for beginners. As A more advanced rider I find it to be not to challenging but not to easy The trail has some small jumps and rock features. Hiking and running is also allowed As to are dogs
It has A small skills area. One bad thing, you can't get into the parking lot from west bound on main you have to do a u-turn"

Matthew Witt

"An amazing, challenging, and rewarding single track. Broken up into four sections this six mile long single track offers great technicals, smooth straightaways, and fun uphill downhill riding. You can complete the course in about an hour."

Lucas Miller

"Best mtn/fat bike park in Elk River and great for trail running/hiking"

John Herbert

What People Like

Challenging singletrack
Great skills area
Scenic oak forest

What People Dislike

Parking lot access issue

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Hillside City Park is located in Elk River, Minnesota. Access to the parking lot from Main Street requires a U-turn if you are traveling westbound. Reddit The park is known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities. TikTok

Information on public transport to Hillside City Park is limited. It's recommended to check local Elk River transit options or plan for private transportation. TikTok

Elk River is situated along the Mississippi River in Minnesota. TikTok Major routes like US-10 provide access to the city, with local roads leading to specific parks like Hillside City Park.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There is no mention of an entrance fee for Hillside City Park. It is generally considered a public park with free access for recreational activities. Reddit

Operating hours for Hillside City Park are not explicitly stated, but public parks are typically open from dawn to dusk. It's advisable to check with the local parks department for specific hours. TikTok

No, booking tickets for mountain biking at Hillside City Park is not required. It's a public park, and the trails are open for use. Reddit

🎫 compass Onsite Experience

Hillside City Park features approximately 6 miles of challenging singletrack mountain biking trails, a skills area, and is also suitable for hiking and running. InstagramReddit

The park's mountain bike trails are generally considered best for intermediate to advanced riders due to jumps and rock features. Beginners might find it challenging. Reddit

Yes, dogs are allowed in Hillside City Park, but they must be kept on a leash. Reddit

Besides mountain biking, visitors can enjoy hiking, trail running, and utilizing the park's skills area. Reddit

Completing the six-mile singletrack course at Hillside City Park typically takes about an hour for an experienced rider. Reddit

📸 camera_with_flash Photography

Capture stunning shots of the challenging singletrack, the integrated skills course, and the picturesque oak forest scenery. InstagramReddit

While not designated viewpoints, the winding trails and natural beauty of the oak forest offer numerous scenic spots for photography throughout the park. TikTok

Early morning or late afternoon light can enhance the natural beauty of the oak forest, creating beautiful lighting for photos. TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

While Hillside City Park offers a great outdoor experience, its mountain biking trails are best suited for older children or teens with biking experience due to the technical nature and features like jumps and rocks. Reddit Families looking for a more relaxed activity can enjoy hiking or running on the trails, and dogs are welcome on a leash, making it a fun outing for the whole family. Reddit The scenic oak forest provides a pleasant environment for a family stroll. TikTok

🚵‍♀️ Experienced Mountain Bikers

This park is a must-visit for experienced mountain bikers! The 6.6 miles of challenging singletrack offer a fantastic blend of technical riding, small jumps, and rock features that provide an engaging and rewarding experience. InstagramReddit The integrated skills course is a great bonus for honing your abilities. Reddit Many riders consider it a 'hidden gem' and a top spot in Elk River for a solid hour of riding. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Hikers & Trail Runners

If you're looking for a scenic and enjoyable place to hike or run, Hillside City Park is an excellent choice. The 6+ miles of trails are described as very enjoyable and offer a moderate challenge. Reddit The beautiful oak forest setting makes for a pleasant and immersive experience. TikTok It's a great alternative for those who prefer to explore on foot rather than bike, and dogs are welcome on leash. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Mountain Biking Experience

Hillside City Park is renowned for its 6.6 miles of challenging singletrack mountain biking trails. Instagram These trails are designed with intermediate to advanced riders in mind, featuring a mix of technical sections, small jumps, and rock features. Reddit The park also boasts a dedicated skills course that's seamlessly integrated into the trail system, allowing riders to practice their techniques. Reddit Many visitors describe the trails as a 'hidden gem' offering a rewarding experience that can be completed in about an hour. Reddit

While the trails are primarily for biking, they are also open to hikers and runners, making it a versatile outdoor destination. Reddit The park's location within an oak forest provides a beautiful natural backdrop for all activities. TikTok However, it's important to note that the technical nature of the trails might be too demanding for absolute beginners. Reddit

Park Amenities & Accessibility

Hillside City Park offers a skills area for practicing biking maneuvers, adding an extra layer of fun for enthusiasts. Reddit The park is also dog-friendly, allowing leashed pets to join in on the hiking and running activities. Reddit This makes it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy bringing their companions along. Reddit

Regarding accessibility, a key point for visitors is the parking lot access. Travelers have noted that if you are traveling westbound on Main Street, you will need to perform a U-turn to enter the parking lot, as direct entry is not possible. Reddit This is a practical detail to keep in mind when planning your visit to avoid confusion upon arrival. Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2