Hennepin: Nature, Waterways and Parks

More than 45 miles of trails are open for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Hennepin County. Check the Refuge’s current notices before you go when planning your visit.

Trails and Landscapes

The Three Rivers Park District has an extensive network of trails for hiking, biking, inline skating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Three Rivers Parks also offer facilities for picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, golf, camping, and sledding. This range spans trail activities as well as options for water, winter, and recreational activities.

Easy, paved trails run along the edge of the gorge at Minnehaha Regional Park, where Minnehaha Falls plunges down. Stone stairways lead down to trails in the gorge and along the fast-flowing Minnehaha Creek. The paved trails along the rim are therefore quite different from the stairs and paths that descend into the gorge.

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge includes tallgrass prairie, floodplain forests, and wetlands. Visitors can spot bald eagles, wood ducks, river otters, prairie skinks, and white-tailed deer there. The landscape is also appealing to travelers who want to spend time outdoors not only on trails, but also observing diverse habitats and wildlife.

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is home to more than 500 plant species and 130 bird species. Quaking Bog in Theodore Wirth Regional Park is a good place to observe dragonflies, damselflies, frogs, and songbirds. The two locations offer different highlights: the garden focuses on plant and bird diversity, while Quaking Bog offers opportunities to observe other wildlife.

Waterways and Recreation

Six state water trails with boat and canoe launches run through Hennepin County along the Crow, Minnesota, and Mississippi rivers. They are managed for canoeing, kayaking, boating, and camping. Those interested in water activities will find several river routes and their access points here as practical details to consider when planning.

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park has one of the few public boat launches on Lake Minnetonka. It also has three miles of paved trails that connect different areas of the park and link up with community trails. To compare the trail distances: the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has more than 45 miles of trails with several designated activities, while this park has three miles of paved connections within the park and to community trails.

A multilevel, nautical-themed play area adds to the offerings at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. It covers 20,000 square feet and is accessible to children of all ages and abilities. Elm Creek has one of the largest play areas in the state.

At Elm Creek Park Reserve, paved trails pass through forests, wetlands, and former farmland. Canoes are available at Gale Woods Farm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. If you plan to take advantage of this seasonal option, use the stated period as a guide.

Culture and Hotel Planning

Behind-the-scenes tours of the Guthrie Theater offer a look at its stages, rehearsal rooms, notable architectural features, and in-house workshops. Admission to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free every day year-round. These two offerings complement nature and recreational activities with different cultural experiences.

Then, tailor your hotel search to your own itinerary and the places you want to visit.

Discover more destinations: Minneapolis, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Edina, Long Lake, Rogers, Excelsior, Plymouth, Crystal, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Wayzata, Mound, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Osseo, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.