Birds & Bison Bike Tour
Bike Tour Pre-Registration
Saturday, May 4th, 2024
The Birds & Bison Bike Tour showcases our spectacular Mississippi River Greenway Bike Trail that offers stunning river views and the opportunity to see unique birds and prairie bison! Tour guides are available during the ride to customize experiences based on skill level and interests.
Ambassadors from Carpenter Nature Center will welcome you at the registration booth and a Bison Interpretive Area will be at Spring Lake Park Reserve.
NEW This Year:
Spiral Brewery Taproom Takeover with Spotting Scopes on the Rooftop and Carpenter Nature Center Ambassadors
Mississippi Greenway Trail
This 20-mile round trip tour will start on the Hastings Riverwalk with stunning views of the Mississippi River bluffs. Riders will follow the trail along Nininger Road out to Spring Lake Park and Schaar’s Bluff.
A scheduled 20 min stop at Schaar’s Bluff will include the opportunity to use the restrooms and have a water break. After the break, riders will continue along the Mississippi River and past Bison Prairie where a small herd of bison has recently been reintroduced to a 150-acre prairie. (Bison Prairie Fact Sheet) A second stop at the Bison Prairie Outdoor Classroom will feature naturalists from Dakota County and Carpenter Nature Center. Check out wildlife with binoculars and get your Bison questions answered.
Check-in opens: 8:15 a.m.
Hastings Riverwalk under the Hwy 61 Bridge
Tour starts: 9:00 a.m.
Arrive in Schaar’s Bluff: 10:00 a.m.
Riders interested in exploring the Bison Prairie portion ONLY can park and meet the group in Schaar’s Bluff.
Arrive back in Hastings downtown:
Approx 12:00 p.m.
Resources, fun facts & tips:
- Carpenter Nature Center will have an interactive on the Hastings River Walk and at Spiral Brewery!
- Find out more on Bison Prairie HERE
- Those bikes have been sitting all winter. Be sure to check your tire pressure and chains prior to the tour.
This Event Is Brought To You By:
