Washington: Parks, River Landscapes and History

The Washington County park system includes seven parks, two regional trails and one conservation area. Its landscapes range from wooded ravines and prairie to lakes, wetlands and riverbanks. It is also home to the Washington County Historic Courthouse, an important historic building. You can explore Washington through different interests: scenery, outdoor activities or history.

Landscapes with Distinctive Character

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park spans 515 acres and includes hills, densely wooded ravines, former farmland and prairie. Wooded and more open landscapes sit side by side here. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is larger, at 2,165 acres. Gently rolling hills, woods and prairie shape its landscape. Comparing the two parks can help you choose a nature outing: their landscapes differ both in their stated size and in their features.

Pine forests, lakes and wetlands are part of the landscape at Pine Point Regional Park. Big Marine Park Reserve is associated with the St. Croix Valley, a northeastern ground moraine, high-quality uplands and a wildlife wetland habitat. These natural features give a sense of the range of landscapes highlighted in the region’s parks.

Water and River Landscapes

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park covers 685 acres and stretches along 3,800 feet of shoreline on the St. Croix River. At Point Douglas Park, its waterfront location is especially well defined: it sits on the St. Croix River, just above its confluence with the Mississippi River. Square Lake Park has another distinction. It is designated a regional “Special Recreation Feature” because of Square Lake’s outstanding water quality. Together, these parks highlight different aspects of water: shoreline length, river location and a special designation for water quality.

Plan Outdoor Activities

At Lake Elmo Park Reserve, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards through iPaddlePorts. Point Douglas Park has a canoe and kayak launch. Rental availability and launch conditions may change, so check before making plans. You can find horseback riding trails at both Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Pine Point Regional Park. This gives you several activities to choose from without being tied to the same location.

Winter offers its own options, too: Nordic Rocks cross-country skis are available to rent at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park and Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Since winter rental availability can vary, check before your visit. During designated hunting seasons, deer, turkey and small game may be hunted with a bow in the Long Lake Conservation Area. Hunting is seasonal and regulated, so plan around the applicable hunting seasons.

Trails and History

The paved Gateway State Trail is 18 miles long and designated for multiple uses. Its length and surface provide a clear reference if you’d like to include a trail in your travel plans. The Washington County Historic Courthouse offers a different focus: it is the oldest surviving courthouse in the state of Minnesota. The courthouse offers daily guided public tours as well as self-guided tours. A visit can suit an interest in regional history, while the natural areas and trails offer a separate focus for spending time outdoors.

The outings you actually plan can help guide your choice of where to stay. Those mainly interested in visiting parks and trails may have different priorities from those interested in the Historic Courthouse.

Discover more destinations: Oakdale, Stillwater, Woodbury, Forest Lake, Cottage Grove, Afton, Lake Elmo, Becker County.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.