The trail is considered a segment of a longer, loosely connected bicycle route system along the Mississippi River.

[3] Beginning at its southern end in Fort Snelling State Park near the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center, the trail is a gentle climb of 272 feet (83 m) through a thick forest with occasional views of the Mississippi River gorge.

[4] It is difficult for users to properly identify Minnehaha Trail due to the vast network of multi-use paths in the area, errors by digital mapping services, and lack of signage.

[2][5] A separate bicycle trail that begins from its northernmost point near Coldwater Spring follows closely alongside Highway 55, allowing a user to travel under the highway near Tower Avenue and Bloomington Road or to reach the parking lots of the upper portion of Fort Snelling State Park and its historic structures.

The bike path runs under a lush canopy of trees, beneath the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, and feels like a genuine escape from the city.