Anoka: Parks, River Trails and History

Oak savannas, sand dunes and restored prairie areas shape the landscape of Bunker Hills Regional Park. Anoka and Anoka County also offer a variety of waterside trails, natural areas and historic attractions. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, you can start by considering whether parks and outdoor activities or Anoka’s history will be the focus of your days.

Parks and Waterside Trails

Anoka Nature Preserve brings together a 200-acre park and nearly a mile of shoreline along the Rum River. The river has the federal designation “Wild and Scenic River.” In Anoka, a section of the Rum River Regional Trail follows the river for four miles and connects with the Mississippi River Regional Trail and the Central Anoka County Regional Trail. Across the Anoka County park system, paved and natural-surface trails total 55.5 miles in 14 county and regional parks.

The Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve offers more trail options, including two beginner-friendly singletrack routes. Both are one-way loops connected to an existing paved trail. The Rice Creek Water Trail is separate: it starts in Lino Lakes and runs about 15.2 miles to Long Lake in New Brighton.

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park offers an extensive trail network for skiing, snowshoeing, biking and walking, as well as fishing spots along the Mississippi River. Birdwatching is also among the activities described there; winter conditions can vary. The Coon Rapids Dam was built in 1913 by the Northern Mississippi Power Company. This place thus combines outdoor recreation with a specific chapter of its history.

Bunker Hills Regional Park has cross-country ski trails; seasonal conditions there, too, depend on the time of year. For a different kind of water experience, visit Bunker Beach Water Park in Coon Rapids, located within Bunker Hills Regional Park. Zero-depth entry is available in the Wave Pool, Lagoon, Adventure Pool, Lazy River and Splash Pad. ADA-standard pool lifts are available in the Wave Pool and Rocky Bay. The Lazy River is 900 feet long; the Twisted Towers & Plunge Pool area has two body slides and two tube slides. Features may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Anoka History and Seasonal Events

About 2,000 square feet of the Anoka County History Center’s exhibition space is dedicated to the history of Anoka County and its people. Objects, photographs and documents from the collection give the stories a tangible connection. A walking tour of Anoka starts at the History Center and involves no more than an hour of walking and standing; it can be customized. Costumed walking tours of historic neighborhoods are also available. Tour availability may change, so it’s a good idea to check before making plans.

Anoka’s Halloween celebration began in October 1920 and has taken place every year since, except for two years during World War II. This tradition offers a different way to explore local history than an exhibition or tour: it is part of the city’s annual calendar. The city’s 2026 events schedule also lists the Farmers Market on the Rum, held on Wednesdays through October at Riverfront Memorial Park, 2201 2nd Ave, in downtown Anoka. Farmers, bakers and artisans gather there. Check the schedule for the day you plan to visit.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

If river trails and natural areas are your priority, you can consider the sections and parks described here as separate destinations. For a trip focused more on cultural history, consider the History Center, a walking tour or the Halloween tradition as distinct themes. Bunker Beach Water Park and the winter trails at Bunker Hills Regional Park each offer a different focus, too. Plan your days around whether you prefer trails and nature, Anoka’s history or seasonal recreation.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lino Lakes, Fridley, Blaine, Anoka, Columbia Heights, Columbus, Oak Grove, Coon Rapids, Ramsey, Ham Lake.

Back to the main travel overview: Minnesota.