sign in sign up
<<
Home , Fort Snelling State Park, Glendalough State Park, Interstate Park, Oak savanna

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY IDEAS Be sure to check the websites before heading out; COVID-19 may change conditions.

BIKING • Cannon Valley Trail in Cannon Valley (https://cannonvalleytrail.com): Trail is built on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line connecting the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing in beautiful southeastern . This paved bicycle and hiking trail is 19.7 miles of diverse and spectacular scenery. Paralleling the Cannon River, the Trail offers glimpses and panoramas of the valley and gradually descends 115 feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. From overhanging cliffs to views of extensive wetland complexes, nature’s seasonal changes are vividly displayed. The Trail is open year round for bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, hiking, walking, and cross country skiing. Trail users age 18 or older must have a valid Wheel Pass when using the trail from April 1st – November 1st. Wheel Pass fees are $5/day or $25/season. The Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to cross-country ski on the Cannon Valley Trail.

BY THE WATER • Cobblestone Lake Park in Apple Valley (northwest corner of Cobblestone Lake, just a block from Target): A new city park with impressive picnic shelter and restrooms. Adjacent to a 1.4 mile walking/biking path that circles Cobblestone Lake. Good location to meet friends.

• Hidden Falls Regional Park at 1313 Hidden Falls Drive in St. Paul (https://www.stpaul.gov/facilities/hidden-falls-regional-park): Located along the bluffs just below Lock and Dam 1. This beautiful park is great for birding, fishing, picnicking, walking, and biking. BBQ Grills, Benches, Biking Trail, Boat Launch, Fire Pit, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, Restroom Facilities, and Shelter. 6.7 miles of paved walking/hiking trails, the park provides a beautiful setting along shady, wooded bottom-lands next to the Mississippi River. Hours: sunrise to 9 or 10 PM. The Falls is directly to your right as you enter the park - and it is hidden! (As of 8/14/20, if you are heading north along Mississippi River Blvd, ignore the first entrance on the left – it says the park is closed. Continue along the Blvd. to the second entrance at Magoffin Avenue.)

• Thomas Lake in Eagan, off Pilot Knob Road between Cliff Road and Diffley Road (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin/kidsponds/thomas.html): Thomas Lake is good for hiking and fishing. This lake is a shallow lake that is aerated to prevent winter-kill. It has a good population of Largemouth Bass and the fishing pier will give you access to the deeper water that might hold more fish. No entrance fee, wonderful walking path around the lake that is wheelchair accessible, parking lot, picnic facilities.

• Willow River at 1034 County Highway in Hudson, WI 54016 - Phone number is 715- 386-5931 and the state park is open 6 AM - 11 PM (Gowaterfalling.com): Vehicle WI State Park Sticker required; be sure to get your sticker online before heading to the park. No daily pass available. Willow Falls was recently restored and is one of the most scenic waterfalls in WI. The falls is easy to visit and very user friendly. Located ~45 minutes from Eagan. There is a set of trails that lead to the falls. One mile-long trail leads to the falls from Campground #3. There is a bridge across the river just below the falls. You can get as close as you want to these falls, including wading into the falls, or get behind the main drop. There is also a lake in the park, great picnicking area, swimming beach, camping, canoeing/kayaking (bring your own) and many hiking trails.

• at 24869 Whitetail Lane, Battle Lake, MN (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00167#homepage): Nestled in the transition zone between and hardwood , Glendalough offers a true respite from civilization. Crystal clear Annie Battle Lake is a 335-acre, non-motorized "Heritage Fishery" that provides a tranquil fishing experience that is second to none. Special regulations sustain a steady supply of large sunfish, crappie, and the occasional walleye for the frying pan, and large bass for the camera. Near the pristine shores of this lake are a cart-in campground and canoe-in campsites, all free from the traffic and noise of traditional drive-in camping. Canoe-in campsites, the cart-in campground, camper cabins and yurts are open. Vault toilets are open. Explore the park by canoe or kayak on the connecting creeks. A paved bike trail loop and numerous hiking trails, including two interpretive trails, meander along five pristine lakes, through rich Bur woods and blooming . Wildlife abounds year-round, and there are many observation decks along the trails. Trails are groomed in winter for skiing and snowshoeing. Picnicking and swimming is available on two sandy lakes. Buy your permits in advance. This helps protect you, other visitors and staff by minimizing person-to-person contact. If you buy a vehicle permit online, record your confirmation number and place it on your car's dashboard.

• St. Croix River: https://www.taylorsfallscanoe.com/canoe-and-kayak has all the details on canoeing or kayaking this tranquil, family-friendly stretch of the river. The St. Croix River is one of the cleanest and most beautiful wild riverways in the country. Take a picnic lunch and stop to eat on a beach along the way. The Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental Base is located inside the Minnesota in Taylor's Falls. Rentals and shuttle service is available. You will also need a day pass for the Park. Explore the town of Taylor's Falls or stop in Stillwater on your way home.

HIKING/WALKING TRAILS • Carver Park Reserve at 7400 Grimm Road in Victoria (www.ThreeRiversParks.org): Large reserve, lots of space with biking/walking trails, picnic sites, has portable restrooms. Carver Park Reserve is part of the Three Rivers Park System. ~1 hour drive from Apple Valley.

• Nerstrand Big Woods State Park at 9700 170th Street E in Nerstrand MN, 1 hour south of SOTV (https://[email protected]): Forest (Big Woods) landscape with many self- interpretive hiking trails including one to Hidden Falls Waterfall. Includes picnic areas, nature playground, wildflowers, bird watching, and tent camping. A state park daily pass, $7 per car, or yearly pass is required and may be purchased at park entrance. Open 8 am - 10 pm Wednesday – Sunday. It's often busy on weekends during COVID. Water and restrooms are available. Trails are not handicapped accessible.

• Wood Lake Nature Center at 6710 Lake Shore Dr S in Richfield, MN 55423 (https://www.richfieldmn.gov/around-town/wood-lake-nature-centre): A nature area of 150 acres dedicated to environmental education, wildlife observation, and outdoor recreation. Share a walk with deer. There are wheelchair-accessible, crushed limestone and blacktop trails which wind through mixed lowland and restored prairies, while floating boardwalks cross the cattail marshes. The park features several wildlife viewing areas, a picnic ground, and three miles of trails and boardwalks. Wood Lake Nature Center is open in the winter for cross country skiing on groomed trails.

• MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Minnesota_Valley): Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has temporarily changed its operations in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Visitor Centers are closed, but trails remain open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Refuge is part of a corridor of land and water stretching nearly 70 miles along the , from Bloomington to Henderson. Comprised of more than 14,000 acres, The Refuge contains 46 miles of managed trails along the Minnesota River with a wide diversity of wildlife and plants. Refuge trails are open to bicycling and hiking. Dogs on 6-foot leashes are allowed to enjoy the trails with their owners. Shore fishing and ice fishing are allowed on most Refuge waters. Annually, over 200 species of birds can be found at the Refuge, with over 100 species nesting here. One exciting way to experience your Refuge is through nature photography or picking mushrooms or berries.

• Loop is located in State Park (https://www.theoutbound.com/minnesota/hiking/hike-the-pike-island-loop). Pike Island Loop is a beautiful 4-mile urban hike that circles a lush island at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in the heart of the Twin Cities. In fact, Dakota leaders who inhabited this land considered the meeting of the rivers to be the center of the earth. Park near the visitor's center and follow the sidewalk east toward the fort. The sidewalk will turn into a path when you pass the fort. Follow the path down the hill and veer right along the trail that leads to the foot bridge over the Minnesota River. Cross the bridge. You are now on Pike Island. There are a variety of trail options that weave throughout a canopy of elm, silver maple, and cottonwood .

• Lake Elmo Park Reserve is 2,165 acres (3.5 square miles) with 80 percent of its acreage set aside for preservation and protection (https://www.co.washington.mn.us/502/Lake-Elmo- Park-Reserve). This portion will eventually resemble the land as it was prior to the arrival of the settlers in the mid-1800s. This park reserve offers gently rolling hills with a variety of landscape types, including forest and prairie. Watch for pheasants, weasels, , woodpeckers, cardinals, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and white-tailed deer. Vehicle permits are required for all vehicles entering the park. Goats are browsing re-sprouts of Common buck thorn and honeysuckle again in Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The goats are browsing oak restoration areas to help reduce shrub surface area and allow for other ground cover to establish. Please stay on trails and do not disturb the goats.

• Belwin Conservancy at 1553 Stagecoach Trail S in Afton (http://www.belwin.org). Belwin Conservancy's 1,424 acre preserve includes oak savanna and , tallgrass prairie, wetlands, and fens. It is home to numerous rare and threatened plants and animals. There are miles of public hiking trails through beautiful restored prairies and even an observation platform. In 2008, Belwin Conservancy introduced bison to the prairies for the first time. After many years of diligent prairie restoration efforts, bison were the next logical step. Their presence on a prairie adds diversity and richness to the ecosystem that can't be replicated. The bison also instantly became a beloved part of the community. The public observation platform located at 15551 Division Street in Afton.

• at 54497 Gadwall Road, Mankato (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00235#homepage): The word Minneopa is derived from the Dakota language and is interpreted to mean "water falling twice," referring to the beautiful waterfalls of Minneopa Creek. The southern part of the park is hilly and wooded, with Minneopa Creek and its waterfalls the major feature that attract visitors. The northern sections of the park feature prairie and the Minnesota River Walk, the trail which encircles the falls, leading down a limestone stairway to the valley below. Ascend the opposite side and enjoy a panoramic view of the valley which reveals the underlying geology of this area. Visit Seppmann Mill, a wind driven grist mill fashioned in German style from native stone and lumber, or hike through oak savanna and native prairie overlooking the scenic Minnesota River Valley. Bird watching is a popular activity. The Minnesota River Floodplain area is home to various snakes, beaver, and waterfowl, along with white-tailed deer and . Drive through 331 acres of bison range! Get Bison Drive hours and tips, and learn about the bison conservation herd. Bison Drive is open 9am - 8:30pm, every day of the week except Wednesdays, when it is closed for maintenance. Bring your own water, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectants, and toilet paper. Make reservations and buy your permits in advance. The park is open daily from 8am - 10pm.

PICNIC SPOTS • Spring Lake Park Preserve at 8395 127th Street East in Spring Lake Park, Hastings (https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/SpringLake): Enjoy the feel of northern Minnesota from this “Hidden Jewel,” a Dakota County Park that overlooks the Mississippi River just of Hastings. The Schaar’s Bluff Trail head and picnic area provide a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River Valley with sweeping views of the river, as well as access to summer hiking and winter ski trails. There are paved bike trails which are also walkable, wooded hiking trails, wildflower prairies, an open picnic shelter where about 20 could gather socially distant, portable bathrooms, lovely Gathering Center when it is safe to use it (after COVID). In the spring, watch for whole prairie fields of wild flowers, milk weed in the summer, cone flowers, and many more. You can hike in the woods, prairie, and along the river. There is lots of accessibility for both trails and restrooms and it is free to use the park. Hours: Daily from 5 am – 10 pm.

• Moir Park at W. 104th St. Morgan Ave. S. in Bloomington (https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/parks/moircentral-park): Moir Park, which sits along nine miles of creek, has playgrounds, two picnic shelters, a disc golf course, and areas for playing softball and volleyball. It is noted for its many picnic table locations around the trails and serene creek area. No fee required. Off-street parking. Seasonal restrooms.

• Minnehaha Falls at 4801 S. Minnehaha Park Dr. in (https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/minnehaha_regional_ park): This picnic spot has been a favorite to Twin Cities’ residents and tourists alike. There is a landmark 53-foot waterfall, and you can check out the beauty along the limestone bluffs and wooded trails along the Mississippi River. It also has an off-leash dog park, a number of gardens, disc golf, a concessions area, and live concerts in the park’s band shell. There are free and pay parking lots, and restroom facilities are available. No entrance fee required.

• Centennial Lakes at 7499 France Ave. S. in Edina (https://www.edinamn.gov/154/Centennial-Lakes-Park): Right in the hub of Edina, this 24- acre park is landscaped to perfection. Follow the winding paths around the 10-acre lake and enjoy a picnic lunch while sitting on the lawn, picnic tables, or swinging benches. You can rent paddle boats, play on the putting course or croquet and lawn bowling courts, or just watch model boating races. Handicap accessible, no fee required for entry.

• Carpenter Nature Center at12805 St. Croix Trail S. in Hastings (https://carpenternaturecenter.org): Right on the St. Croix River, the Carpenter Nature Center has wooded ravines, rolling prairies, and an apple orchard. You can enjoy sandwiches near the dock or miles of hiking trails, many of which are paved to accommodate those with disabilities. The area is more than ideal for picnics. Multiple trails lead through different habitats of grasslands, prairie, and forests.

SCENERTY/JUST RELAXING • Munsinger/Clemens Gardens at 1515 Riverside Dr SE, St Cloud, MN 56304 (https://www.munsingerclemens.com): These are two distinct but adjacent gardens above the banks of the Mississippi River. Munsinger Gardens is an informal garden of 14 acres with winding flower-bordered brick paths under tall pines along the river, including a picnic area toward the bridge. The Clemens Gardens is a collection of six formal themed gardens with decorative ironwork and fountains, situated on the sunny hill above Munsinger at 1301 Kilian Blvd, St Cloud MN, 56304. There is an inside public bathroom and gift shop in the Clemens Garden area. Much of each garden is handicap accessible. The Gardens are free to the public and open every day from Spring to Fall from 7:00 am – 10:00 pm. Start your garden tour in the sunny Clemens Gardens in the morning and move down to the Munsinger Gardens for your picnic and afternoon in the shaded gardens.

• Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located between Chanhassen and Victoria, just west of 41 on Highway 5 (https://arb.umn.edu): During COVID, online reservations are necessary. Bring your printed (or phone) reservation. Children under 15 and members can enter for free, otherwise the charge is $15. The cafeteria is not open during COVID. The arboretum has beautiful annual and perennial gardens with picnic shelters, as well as ten other special places for picnics. Restrooms are available. Wheelchairs are available with a reservation. Features include a gift shop, tram rides, seasonal themes, dogs are welcome with dog membership to use the dogs' common areas, three-mile drive to view wildflower, prairie, grasses, and many other gardens. A maze along three-mile drive for kids. Vehicles and bicycles welcome.

• Normandale Community College Japanese Garden (https://www.normandale.edu/community/japanese- garden) is easily accessible on the campus of Normandale Community College, located at 9700 France Avenue South in Bloomington, Minnesota. Normandale Community College's Japanese Garden is a treasured campus and community amenity that promotes wellness and allows social distancing. As long as Normandale's buildings are allowed to be open, the garden will remain open as well. The beauty and serenity of the garden make it ideal for contemplation and renewal of the spirit. The garden is open year-round at no charge, except when reserved for special events. A self-guided tour brochure is available inside the square shelter located in the garden.

WINTER WONDERLANDS • Interested in snowshoeing? Go to https://dirooutdoors.com/blogs/news/15-best-places-to- go-snowshoeing-in-the-twin-cities. One of the great things about living in and around the Twin Cities is that we have an abundance of outdoor spaces to explore! The trails within our many parks offer year-round adventures across a wide variety of terrain and natural features. Many trail systems allow off-trail hiking (aka bushwhacking) during the winter months which makes for an even more adventurous and strenuous activity.

• For sledding and snow tubing locations go to https://www.exploreminnesota.com/list/15- minnesota-hills-sledding-snow-tubing.

• Cannon Valley Trail (https://cannonvalleytrail.com) is open year-round for bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, hiking, walking, and cross country skiing.

• Wood Lake Nature Center (https://www.richfieldmn.gov/around-town/wood-lake-nature- centre) is open in the winter for cross country skiing on groomed trails.

• Glendalough State Park (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00167#homepage) has trails that are groomed in the winter for skiing and snowshoeing.

• Spring Lake Park Preserve at 8395 127th Street East in Spring Lake Park, Hastings (https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/SpringLake): The Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead and picnic area provide a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River Valley with sweeping views of the river, as well as access to summer hiking and winter ski trails.

OTHER • Farmers Markets: lots throughout the area! Local favorites without crowds and with good selections: o Apple Valley (https://minnesotagrown.com/member/apple-valley-farmers-market) o City of Eagan Marketfest (https://www.cityofeagan.com/marketfest) o Lakeville Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons in downtown Lakeville (20851 Holyoke Avenue) o St. Paul's Farmers Market (https://www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com) o Mill City Farmer's Market (https://millcityfarmersmarket.org) o Minneapolis Farmer's Market (https://www.mplsfarmersmarket.com)

• In your Neighborhood: Have you ever thought about taking a walk in your own neighborhood with a different goal in mind? Check out what you see in the nearest park, woods, water tower, vacant lot, grocery store, or whatever is in your area. Checkout the gardens, front doors/porches, hopscotch games, even the weeds. Any distance is possible and you will not need a map. Greet some neighbors. It could be the most eye-opening walk of all and who knows, you may meet some new people along the way. Sometimes we need to view our world in a different way. (Information compiled from 8/15/2020 article by Bill McAuliffe.