It's spring and the weather is GORGEOUS out there! What are you waiting for? Get out there on those hiking trails!
We’ve been exploring and hiking at least one new outdoor place every weekend during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the silver linings of this crisis is that people are getting out to explore their own region’s outdoor playgrounds. We are truly blessed that we have so damn many great outdoor places to explore in Minnesota.
Minnehaha Falls at Minnehaha Regional Park
Where do we find new places to go?
There are a number of great resources on the internet for finding local hikes, nature centers, regional parks, state parks. Here are some of the places that I go to:
1. With 67 Minnesota State Parks to choose from and many of them close by, state parks are a great place to start. Fort Snelling, Afton, St. Croix Islands, William O'Brien, Interstate, Lake Maria, Minnesota Valley, Sakatah Lake, and Nerstrand Big Woods are all within an hour of the Twin Cities. Get your annual pass and start exploring!
2. Twin Cities OUTDOORS is a website with a great list of local outdoor destinations organized by activity- Hike & Run, Camp, Bike, Paddle, Ski & Shoe. Check out the site for ideas for local field trips.
3. A former work colleague of mine, Jen, has organized a website called Wandering Pine with everything to know about hiking. From urban trails to the Lake Superior Hiking Trail to national parks, Jen will get you motivated! I remember sitting down for lunch with Jen about 8-9 years ago to talk backpacks. I was getting prepped for my first SHT trek and she was into backpacking and leading her son’s boy scout troop. Since then, she has really become a leading influencer in the hiking world here in Minnesota.
4. Check out a local nature center. You might be surprised to find out how many there are in the Twin Cities and in Minnesota. When the kids were little, we spent nearly every weekend at a new local nature center. There are great hiking trails and usually an interpretive center with activities for kids. Of course, the buildings are currently closed due to COVID-19, but it’s still worth a trip. Remember nature centers are a great option for your kid’s birthday parties. We had Cormac’s 5th birthday Dodge Nature Center in December. The guide toured the kids through the nature trails looking for animal footprints in the fresh snow.
Some nature centers do not allow dogs, so make sure to check their policies before heading there with your doggo. Also, check on current conditions as some of these centers have areas under construction or trails that flood.
Dodge Nature Center: This gem in the middle of West St. Paul has a working farm, pond, and various trails through woods and grasslands. No dogs.
Eastman Nature Center at Elm Creek Park Reserve. This center in Dayton is operated by the Three Rivers Park District.
Harriet Alexander Nature Center: This center in Roseville is located in Rasmussen Woods.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park: At 2000 acres, this is the largest park in Dakota County. We visited there a few weeks ago and it was organized with one-way paths to help in social distancing. Plenty of room to explore! Dogs allowed.
Lowry Nature Center at Carver Park Reserve: 3719 acres operated by the Three Rivers Park District.
Maplewood Nature Center is 40 acres in Ramsey County.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington to the east of the Mall of America.
Leashed dogs permitted.
Oakdale Nature Preserve has 220-acres of outdoor recreation and activities
Richardson Nature Center at Hyland Lake Park Reserve. Dog-friendly trails
River Bend Nature in Faribault MN. 10 miles of trails on 734 acres. Dogs on leashes allowed.
See the blog of our trip to this park.
Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley is 127 acres with 3 miles of hiking trails, including a floating boardwalk and is operated by the city. No dogs
Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear 320-acre preserve within Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park (no pets)
Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park. My colleagues at HGA have designed a new interpretive center for this nature center, which will celebrate its grand opening in September. No dogs. See the goose-eye view of the new structure below.
Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield. 150 acres with 2 miles of crushed limestone trails and a floating boardwalk. No pets allowed.
If you want to combine a dog park and nature hike, head to Battle Creek Regional Park on the east side of St. Paul. Spend some time letting Rover roam in the off-leash dog park, then head out on some of the hiking trails. We spotted several deer last time we were there.
Hit the trails, everyone! Where are your favorite places to hike? Let us know and we'll check them out.
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