Located near the Twin Cities International Airport, this park conserves open space and wildlife in a heavily populated metropolitan area. It also protects the historical significance of this area.
Visitors can enjoy 18 miles of hiking trails, 5 miles of biking trails, snowshoe and canoe rentals, picnicking, fishing, boating, and swimming. Hiking on Pike Island gives you spectacular views of the mighty Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers converging at the island’s end. Read on to know more.
Picnic Areas
Fort Snelling State Park St Paul MN offers a wide variety of picnic areas to choose from. Some picnic spots feature stunning views of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers while others offer a unique view of train tracks.
The Union Depot Rail View Picnic Area has a half-dozen tables that give you a front-row seat to the trains rolling by, less than 100 feet away. The picnic area is also wheelchair accessible and a great spot for family fun.
In the winter, cross-country skiers enjoy 12 miles of groomed trails at the park. They can even join a snowshoeing class on Picnic Island.
Located in the floodplain of the Minnesota River, the park is home to large cottonwoods, silver maple, ash, and willow trees along braided channels. The riverside environment also provides an abundance of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, foxes, and woodchucks.
Camping
If you’re looking for a place to get away from the city, Fort Snelling State Park St Paul MN is a great choice. This park is the closest MN State Parks & Recreation area to the Twin Cities and therefore gets a lot of traffic, but it also offers beautiful nature experiences.
The Mississippi and Minnesota rivers converge here, and the Dakota called it Ha-Ha Mdo-Te, meaning “junction of two rivers.” It’s a beautiful site that is worth visiting even if you’re not into camping!
It’s easy to get lost in nature here, and it’s a great spot for families with kids. The park office rents canoes, kayaks, and snowshoes so you can enjoy the beauty of the area without having to drive far.
There are several picnic areas and a swimming beach, plus the Mendota Bridge passes over the park. You can also watch airplanes take off and land at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which is in close proximity to the park. Here is another spot to visit.
Hiking Trails
If you want to take a hike at Fort Snelling State Park St Paul MN, you’ll have plenty of options. There are over 18 miles of hiking trails, including a scenic loop around Lake Snelling and a two-mile gravel loop on Pike Island, which offers sweeping views of floodplain forest and the Mississippi River.
You’ll also find trails that connect the park with Minnehaha Falls Regional Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. These trails are perfect for springtime hikes when migratory birds are coming into their prime and buds on trees and plants are emerging from their winter sleep.
Hiking at Fort Snelling State Park St Paul is an excellent choice for families, friends, or anyone looking to get out and explore Minnesota’s natural beauty. Whether you’re looking to spend the day hiking or taking an overnight trip, there’s something for everyone at Fort Snelling State Park St Paul.
Fishing
For the angler, there are a number of fishing lakes within the park. Some of these include Gun Club Lake and Snelling Lake.
Snelling Lake is one of Minnesota’s top tourist destinations and provides fishing opportunities for bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed fish, and more. You can also take your boat or canoe out to Pike Island, where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet.
The park is situated near Historic Fort Snelling, adjacent to the Twin Cities International Airport, and ranks as one of Minnesota’s top tourist attractions with an average of over 400,000 visitors annually.
The state park opened in 1962 and helps conserve open space and wildlife in the heavily populated metropolitan area. It is adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and has seven major paved bike trails that connect the park with its surrounding suburbs and cities. It is home to 18 miles of hiking trails and five miles of biking trails, snowshoe and canoe rentals, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and more. Continue reading about Minnehaha Regional Park.
Driving directions from Reflections Window Cleaning to Fort Snelling State Park
Driving directions from Fort Snelling State Park to Minnehaha Regional Park
