Who we are

The Casey Jones State Trail was the first legislatively authorized trail in the state, with enabling legislation passed in 1967. The original intent was that the route would be the abandoned railroad grade in Pipestone and Murray Counties and then sweep northeast through Slayton to Lake Shetek State Park.  

Since the initial legislation was passed, subsequent revisions to the statute have resulted in a legislatively authorized route that spans four counties (Rock, Pipestone, Murray and Redwood). We prefer to refer to the route as a broad "corridor" as there are very few specific parcels of land identified through which it will pass. The corridor begins in a park at the south end of Luverne and goes through Blue Mounds State Park through Split Rock Creek State Park to Pipestone to Lake Wilson through Hadley to Slayton to Lake Shetek State Park to Walnut Grove and on to Redwood Falls with a naturally surfaced path parallel to the paved path to accommodate horseback riding and snowmobiling.

The corridor stretches more than 120 miles, and includes 12 communities (Luverne, Ihlen, Pipestone, Woodstock, Lake Wilson, Hadley, Slayton, Currie, Walnut Grove, Lucan, Seaforth, Redwood Falls).

View a map of our current trails.

Our Trail - History

Mission

Advocate for the continued development of the trail.

Friends Since

Groundwork for the group laid in 1993, but officially becomes a nonprofit in 2002

Trail’s Namesake

Casey Jones was railroad engineer who died while heroically trying to stop an out-of-control train in 1900. He was immortalized in a ballad, later made popular by Johnny Cash. The railroad segment that the trail runs on was commonly known as the Casey Jones unit.

Locals and visitors alike love the tranquility of this trail! Miles 1-4 breeze through fields of corn and soybeans offering 180 degrees of sky. After a bridge within the first mile, a shaded bench begins mile 2 and finishes with a close-up view of a solar farm. Mile 4 gives the first glimpses of wind turbines. Another shaded, quiet creek and bridge finishes mile 4. See if you can spot the remainders of an old windmill just North of the bridge! “Cattle Country” and the Rock River highlight miles 5-8. The last 2+ miles to Woodstock are packed gravel. They take you between wind turbines and offer an Eastern horizon dotted with 300 ft turbines atop the dividing line between the Missouri & Mississippi Rivers, known locally as “Buffalo Ridge.”

The 13-mile, multi-use trail begins near the intersection of MN Hwy 23 and US Hwy 75 on the Northeast side of Pipestone. The paved trail is great for running, walking, biking, and roller-blading. Additionally, there is a naturally-surfaced trail which parallels the paved section for horses and snowmobiles. Motorized vehicles, other than snowmobiles, are not allowed. Because much of the trail lies on former railroad grade, it is named for the famed American railroad engineer, Casey Jones.

The Friends of the Casey Jones Trail advocate for the development of the Casey Jones State Trail and maintenance of the existing trail.

Meet the Board Members

  • Myron Koets

    PRESIDENT
    DIRECTOR

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  • Sheila Crowley

    SECRETARY
    DIRECTOR

    Sheila Crowley is the Secretary for the Casey Jones Trail and a full-time communications specialist at the Southwest Regional Development Commission in Slayton, MN. She and her husband, Glenn, are proud parents of three children and have been blessed with 10 grandchildren. The Crowleys reside in Fulda, where Sheila is also actively involved in the community as the president of the Slayton Area Chamber and a member of the Slayton Women of Today. Sheila’s commitment to both her professional and community roles reflects her dedication to improving the lives of those around her.

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  • Coleen

    BOARD MEMBER

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  • Maike Houser

    TREASURER & PR
    DIRECTOR

    Maike Houser is a dedicated treasurer and public relations professional for the Casey Jones Trail, where she plays a key role in promoting local initiatives and community engagement. In addition to her work on the trail, Maike is a leading real estate agent in Southwest Minnesota, known for her expertise and commitment to helping clients find their dream homes. Outside of her professional endeavors, Maike enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Alex, and their two children on their farm. The Houser family shares their home with a variety of animals, including five horses, which are a cherished part of their rural lifestyle.

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  • NAME

    BOARD MEMBER

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  • NAME

    BOARD MEMBER

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