Where to Stop While Biking the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

About a mile south of the western terminus of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail is Old Town Mankato, a street lined with sidewalks, beautiful historic buildings, shops and cafes. Look between the 300 and 800 blocks of North Riverfront Drive for the best views. 

You’ll have plenty of options to stop, with places like The Coffee Hag for your pre-ride (or post-ride) caffeine jolt, as well as a locally owned bakery (Wooden Spoon), food truck park (The Hub), ice cream shop (Mom & Pop's) and record store (Tune Town). If you’re in need of bike parts or emergency repairs, Nicollet Bike and Ski Shop is at your service.

Just east of Mankato is Eagle Lake Rest Area, a scenic stop where you can catch your breath, drink some water, and look for wildlife from a lake overlook. 

Grab some food or a drink right on the water at The Landing on Madison. While you dine, you’ll see another popular activity at The Landing: boating. You can just watch the pontoons and other boats at the marina or rent your own right there.

Pick up a hot coffee and a quick bite at LolliPops, which offers a nice selection of baked delights and savory options. Consider taking that coffee and food to go and meander toward Lettie’s Park on the north side of town for views of Lake Francis. 

It’s one of three lakes surrounding Elysian; the other two are Tustin and the 2,215-acre body of water named after the town.

No matter your food needs or the time of day, you’ll be covered at What’s The Scoop in Waterville. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a thorough ice cream menu to satisfy any cold, creamy cravings. 

As you ride through Sakatah Lake State Park, you’ll see scenic and serene views of its namesake. Stop for walking trails along the lake or a nearby wooded campground with bike-in campsites, bathrooms and showers, and easy access to Watertown if you plan an overnight stop.

You can either slice right through the Maiden Shade Disc Golf Course by bike — it flanks the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail on the north and south sides — or you can join in. This 21-hole disc golf course also butts up against the Cannon River, making for a very scenic stop. 

If you’d like to throw some discs but would rather not in the middle of a lengthy bike ride, the same group operates the Maiden Rock East Campground just across the Cannon River. 

Other than needing to ride the section of trail between Morristown and Warsaw, the Cannon River Wildlife Management Area isn’t a “stop” per se. It’s a zone you’ll breeze through, with beautiful views of the Cannon River and surrounding forests.

Just a quick jaunt away from the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail — via the Mill Towns State Trail, or local Alexander Park trails — is the homebase of beloved Minnesota brand Faribault Woolen Mill Co. Described as “one of the last vertical woolen mills in America,” it’s been creating highly covetable goods since 1865. Tours are offered on Fridays and Saturdays, and reservations are encouraged. If you’re not visiting during a tour time, you can still grab something well-designed and warm at its flagship store. 

The Rice County Historical Society Museum has indoor and outdoor elements, with sculptures outside and exhibits inside. The Historical Society has been around since 1923, and the collection inside the museum is notable for its overview of the region, which includes Wahpekute Dakota and settler history, as well as more modern developments from the 1900s on.

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