New public access opens on Cedar River State Water Trail south of Austin

AUSTIN, Minn. — A new public access point has opened on the Cedar River State Water Trail, located about five miles south of Austin.

This development allows paddlers to easily launch or exit the river, thanks to the removal of a construction-related silt curtain below the new concrete ramp. The site, spanning three acres off Minnesota Highway 105 in Lyle Township, offers off-road parking and is also accessible to anglers and nature enthusiasts.

The project, which cost nearly $161,000, was a collaborative effort involving the Cedar River Watershed District (CRWD), Mower Soil & Water Conservation District, Mower County, The Hormel Foundation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"We couldn’t be more excited for this access to fin