Lino Lakes: Nature, Water and Bike Trails

Nature, water and cycling give Lino Lakes a distinct character. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, the Rice Creek Water Trail that begins in Lino Lakes, and several bike trails offer different ways to explore the area. When planning your vacation, it’s worth first considering whether you’d like to focus on nature, a paddling trip, cycling, or a mix of these interests.

Parkland and a bird colony

Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve covers more than 5,500 acres and is the largest park in Anoka County. Its size makes the reserve a defining natural feature of Lino Lakes. The reserve is also home to singletrack trails and Chomonix Golf Course; both offer a different way to experience the landscape, from cycling on trails to playing golf on tree-lined fairways.

The city has a distinctive natural history: Lino Lakes is home to one of Minnesota’s largest colonies of American great blue herons. The island colony is on Peltier Lake Island. Those interested in birds and natural areas will find this another specific feature that sets Lino Lakes apart, alongside its trails and parkland.

Paddling and cycling with different focuses

The Rice Creek Water Trail begins in Lino Lakes. Along the waterway, there are several places where canoes and kayaks can be put in and taken out. These access points are a helpful reference if you’d like to include a paddling trip in your stay. The trail’s starting point in Lino Lakes gives the city a direct connection to the waterway, without requiring you to make the same activity the focus of the rest of your trip.

For cycling, the reserve has several singletrack trails rated green for beginner difficulty and suitable for most cyclists. The Rice Lake Trail and Sherman Lake Trail also differ in length and in their described trail features. The Rice Lake Trail is about 1.7 miles long and has some challenging climbs as well as flowy sections. The Sherman Lake Trail is about 1.8 miles long; it has flowy sections, a few jumps, and several downhill sections. When choosing a ride, you can consider which of these described trail features appeal to you most.

Nature programs and golf

Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes offers two-hour birthday parties that include a 45-minute program led by a nature educator. Options include topics on amphibians and reptiles, featuring a live animal, as well as insects, wolves, birds, and shelter building. For families planning a birthday during their trip, this is a specific reason to consider including the Nature Center in their plans. Reservations are made by phone.

For a more leisurely activity, Chomonix Golf Course is set in the quiet surroundings of Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. Its fairways are lined with trees, and there are continuous water views along the course. This adds a distinct way to spend time outdoors alongside the nature and cycling options.

If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Lino Lakes, these different interests can help guide your choice of location: paddling, bike trails, birdlife, a nature program, or golf each offer a different focus for your stay. Decide which experiences you’d like to include in your trip.

Explore more places

As you continue your search, you can also explore Coon Rapids, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Ham Lake, Oak Grove, Columbus and Anoka.

Back to the main travel overview: Anoka.