Things To Do on an eBike in Stearns County, MN
Stearns County is one of Minnesota's best eBike counties for long, flat rail trails. The paved Lake Wobegon Trail runs 57 miles in the county, from Waite Park west to Sauk Centre and north from Albany to Holdingford, and county trail rules allow electric-assisted bicycles with a 20 mph limit.
Around Cold Spring, the paved Glacial Lakes State Trail and Rocori Trail link Roscoe, Richmond, Cold Spring and Rockville. In St. Cloud, the Beaver Island Trail follows the Mississippi River.
Where to ride in Stearns County
Stearns County Parks lists the Lake Wobegon Trail and Lake Koronis Regional Park as paved, and the Dairyland Trail and Quarry Park as aggregate. Natural-surface walking trails in county parks are also open to bikes. All five rides below are inside the county.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Lake Wobegon Trail, Waite Park to Sauk Centre and Albany to Holdingford
The county says the Lake Wobegon Trail is 65 miles long, with 57 miles in Stearns County and 8 in Todd County. Approximate trailhead distances are Waite Park to St. Joseph 3 miles, St. Joseph to Avon 8, Avon to Albany 6, Albany to Freeport 7, Freeport to Melrose 6, Melrose to Sauk Centre 9, and Albany to Holdingford 10.5.
eBike access: Stearns County Ordinance 594 allows electric-assisted bicycles as defined in Minn. Stat. 169.011, subd. 27, on county recreational trails, and the county sets a 20 mph maximum. Horses are not allowed on this trail. Snowmobiles use it from December 1 to April 1.
2. Glacial Lakes State Trail, Roscoe to Cold Spring
The Minnesota DNR says the Glacial Lakes State Trail follows a former Burlington Northern grade, is generally level and wheelchair accessible, and has 7.5 paved miles from Roscoe to Cold Spring, separate from its paved Kandiyohi County section. The DNR allows electric-assisted bicycles on state trails wherever normal bicycles are allowed, if they meet the state definition.
3. Rocori Trail, Rockville to Cold Spring to Richmond
The St. Cloud Live reported the 7.2-mile Rocori Trail running from Rockville to Cold Spring to Richmond, built over 19 years for an estimated $5.45 million. Ride it with the Glacial Lakes segment for a longer Cold Spring area day. The trail sources do not publish a separate eBike rule, so follow state law and trailhead signs.
4. Beaver Island Trail, St. Cloud
Visit Greater St. Cloud describes the Beaver Island Trail as a paved path along the Mississippi River on the route of a former railroad, covering just over 5 miles. It is the easy in-town ride, and Fitzharris Ski, Bike and Outdoor downtown is listed on this page for rentals.
5. Dairyland Trail, Elrosa to New Munich
The county lists the Dairyland Trail at 14 miles of aggregate from 438th Avenue southwest of Elrosa to 315th Avenue in New Munich: about 4 miles to Elrosa, 5 to Greenwald and 5 to 315th Avenue. Horses are allowed on the Dairyland Trail, and all other users must yield to horseback riders.
Minnesota eBike laws and route permission
Minn. Stat. 169.222, subd. 6a lets Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes use bicycle paths, trails and shared-use paths with the motor engaged unless a listed state or local exception applies. Class 3 eBikes may use them unless the trail manager prohibits it. Managers of natural-surface nonmotorized trails may regulate eBikes, and no one under 15 may operate an electric-assisted bicycle.
The state definition requires two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operable pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts. Class 1 and Class 2 assist up to 20 mph, and Class 3 assists only while pedaling up to 28 mph. A motorized bicycle that does not meet the definition is not allowed on state trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Lake Wobegon Trail from Albany to Holdingford, 10.5 miles each way.
Full day: Ride the Lake Wobegon Trail from Waite Park through St. Joseph and Avon to Albany, about 17 miles each way, and turn back when half your battery is used.
What not to ride in Stearns County
The State Scientific and Natural Area at Quarry Park. Visit Greater St. Cloud says not to take an eBike, or any bike, onto it.
Any eBike if you are under 15. Minnesota law bars it.
Faster than 20 mph on county trails. That is the county maximum.
A non-compliant motorized bike. A bike over 750 watts or without working pedals does not count as an eBike on county or state trails.
When to ride Stearns County
County trails are open 24 hours except where cities set other hours inside their limits. From December 1 to April 1, snowmobiles share the trails, so the paved rail trails are best from spring through fall.
eBike rentals and shops
The cards below are E-Bike's plus in Richmond, near the Rocori and Glacial Lakes trails, and Fitzharris Ski, Bike and Outdoor in St. Cloud. Call ahead to ask about eBike rentals.
E-Bike's plus🚲 Rentals
Fitzharris Ski, Bike And Outdoor🚲 Rentals
Frequently asked questions
Are eBikes allowed on the Lake Wobegon Trail?
Yes. Stearns County Ordinance 594 allows electric-assisted bicycles that meet the state definition, with a 20 mph trail speed limit.
How long is the Lake Wobegon Trail?
The county says 65 miles, with 57 miles in Stearns County and 8 in Todd County.
How old do you have to be to ride an eBike in Minnesota?
At least 15. State law bars anyone younger from operating an electric-assisted bicycle.
Are eBikes allowed on the Glacial Lakes State Trail?
Yes. The DNR allows electric-assisted bicycles on state trails wherever normal bicycles are allowed, if they meet the state definition.
How long is the Rocori Trail?
About 7.2 miles, from Rockville through Cold Spring to Richmond.
Is the Dairyland Trail paved?
No. The county lists it as aggregate, 14 miles from southwest of Elrosa to New Munich, and horses use it too.
Where can I rent an eBike in Stearns County?
The cards on this page list E-Bike's plus in Richmond and Fitzharris Ski, Bike and Outdoor in St. Cloud. Call to confirm eBike rentals.
All eBike shops in Stearns County
See the Stearns County eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Minnesota eBike laws guide for state rules.