Casey Jones State Trail
🏆🏆🏆 Railroad Heritage Trail — Rail trail named for the legendary railroad engineer Casey Jones
Casey Jones State Trail is a multi-use rail trail in southern Minnesota running from Pipestone to Lake Shetek. The trail follows the former railroad grade through the prairie landscape of southwestern Minnesota — one of the last remnants of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem that once covered 18 million acres of the state. The area is steeped in railroad history and Dakota heritage, with the trail passing through small farming communities that developed along the railroad in the 1870s.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Pipestone to Lake Shetek, SW Minnesota |
| Trail Type | Multi-use rail trail |
| Fee | Free (no pass required for hiking) |
| Landscape | Tallgrass prairie |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this near Pipestone National Monument?
Yes — Pipestone National Monument, where Native Americans have quarried sacred catlinite (pipestone) for centuries, is at the western terminus. It’s well worth a visit.
About Casey Jones Trail
Casey Jones State Trail runs 10 miles through southern Minnesota’s agricultural landscape on a former railroad corridor. Named for the legendary railroad engineer Casey Jones, the trail connects communities in Dodge and Mower counties through gently rolling terrain of corn and soybean fields interspersed with restored prairie patches.
Things to Do
Biking and hiking the paved trail, birdwatching for grassland species, cross-country skiing in winter, and enjoying the peaceful agricultural landscape of southern Minnesota.
Insider Tips
Railroad heritage: Named for the legendary railroad engineer, this rail-trail follows a former railroad corridor through the agricultural heartland of southern Minnesota. Pro tip: Minnesota has 25+ state trails — more paved trail miles than almost any other state. Prairie landscape: The trail crosses some of the richest farmland in the world — the glacial prairie soils are 200+ feet deep in places.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Peak cycling season — long daylight hours. Fall: Harvest season — golden fields and comfortable temperatures. Spring: Green-up and bird migration. Winter: Snowmobiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Minnesota farmland so productive?
Glaciers deposited up to 200+ feet of rich, ground-up rock (till) across southern Minnesota during the last Ice Age. The tall-grass prairie then built organic-rich topsoil for 10,000 years. The combination of deep glacial deposits and prairie-built organic matter creates some of the most productive farmland on Earth.
🚂 Visit Casey Jones State Trail
Prairie rail trail — through Minnesota’s tallgrass to Pipestone country.
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