Apple Valley: Parks, sports and animal experiences

Apple Valley offers a range of recreational activities: lakeside trails, sports facilities, a seasonal water park, animal experiences and events. If you’re looking for hotels in Apple Valley, these specific destinations can help with your trip planning. First, consider whether you’d rather spend your time on a bike and walking trail, at a canoe launch, playing a particular sport, at the zoo or attending an event. Activities vary by type and season, giving you several options for planning your stay.

Lakeside trails and water access

The 25.8-acre Cobblestone Lake Park surrounds Cobblestone Lake. A combined bike and walking trail runs around the lake, making the loop the park’s main attraction. When planning your visit, you can choose to explore on foot or by bike; either way, the trail takes you around the lake.

Farquar Park has a lakeshore and access to a canoe launch. At the lake’s southwest end, in Farquar Park on Pilot Knob Road, you’ll find lake access, a fishing pier and a watercraft rack rental. The water activities differ: at Cobblestone Lake Park, the trail around the lake is the main attraction; at Farquar Park, the canoe launch and fishing pier are additional options. If you plan to use the rental, confirm its availability with the city.

Sports and water park

Johnny Cake Ridge Park West has 16 dedicated pickleball courts. If you’d like to include pickleball in your trip plans, this is a specific sports option. Splash Valley Water Park focuses on water features and slides: both the lazy river and the leisure pool have zero-depth entry. There are also tube slides and body slides; height restrictions may apply. The water park is open seasonally. If you have a particular sport in mind for your stay, the number of pickleball courts is a useful detail; at Splash Valley, keep the seasonal opening and possible height restrictions on the slides in mind.

Animal experiences and events

The Minnesota Zoo features the Treetop Trail. On Llama Trek, visitors can walk among llamas and ride a camel. The zoo’s offerings range from the named trail to two different animal activities. These experiences offer a different focus from the lakeside trails and sports facilities and can help shape your leisure plans in Apple Valley.

Musicians perform at Music in Kelley Park, an event presented by the Apple Valley Arts Foundation. Apple Valley’s Mid-Winter Fest is an annual tradition that has been held since 1978. Winter activities include food trucks, beverages and fireworks. The specific program may vary from year to year. If you plan to attend a festival during your stay, check the dates and program details.

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