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Our favorite free destinations for walking, biking, skiing and just exploring nature.

Nature Centers
Regional Parks
Indoor Parks

   


Woodlake Nature Center
6710 Lakeshore Dr., Richfield
612-861-9365
Free nature trails, museum, access to naturalist
Bldg. Hrs: Mon-Sat /8:30am-5pm, Sun /12pm-5pm
Trails: Dusk to dawn, every day.

Springbrook Nature Center
100 85th Ave. NE, Fridley
763-572-3588
3 miles of trails through forest, prairie & wetlands. Cross-country skiing. Interpretive Center with live creatures and hands-on exhibits.
Bldg. Hrs: Mon-Fri/ 9 am-9 pm(summer), 9 am-5 pm (Winter -Nov.1), Sat/ 10 am-6 pm (all year), Sun/ 12pm- 4pm (all year)
Trails: Sunrise to sunset, every day.

Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Township
651-407-5350
320 acres with paved trails & paths overlooking Tamarack Lake.
Bldg. Hrs: Mon-Fri/ 8 am-4:30 pm, Sat/ 9 am-5 pm, Sun/ 12 pm-5 pm
Trails: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset, every day.

Maplewood Nature Center
2659 E. 7th St., Maplewood
1 blk north of Minnehaha off Century Ave.
651-249-2170
Free maps & brochure for self guided trails through 40 acres of woods, pond, prairie and wildlife.
Visitor Center Hrs: Tues-Sat/8:30-4:30, Sun (April - Oct) 12:30-5:30
Trails: Dusk to dawn, every day.

Oakdale Nature Center
4444 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale
651-249-2170
200 acres with both paved and nature trails. Groomed cross-country trails. Museum with touch tables, maps & brochures.
Bldg. Hrs: Mon-Fri/8 am-4:30 pm
Trails: Dusk to dawn, every day.

Richardson Nature Center
8737 E. Bush Lake Rd., Bloomington
763-694-7676
3 woodchipped trails within a 1000 acre park. Snowshoe trails in winter. Building offers live raptors and other creatures & animal viewing room.
Bldg. Hrs: Mon-Sat/ 9 am-5 pm, Sun/ 12 pm-5 pm (*note: parking is free only Monday-Thursday)
Trails: Dusk to dawn, every day.

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Minnehaha Falls
4801 Minnehaha Ave. S, Mpls
6 am - 10 pm
Hike, bike, picnic/restrooms. In addition to the Falls the park has both paved trails and natural walking paths along the creek to the Mississippi River.

Crosby Farm Nature Area
South of Shepard Rd, between Hwy 5 & 35E in St. Paul
Sunrise - 10 pm
Hike, bike, picnic/restrooms, fish. 6.7 miles of paved trails run along wooded bottom lands next to the Mississippi surrounded by 534 acres of woods and prairie habitat.

Hidden Falls
On the Mississippi, just west of Hwy 5 in St. Paul
North Park open sunrise to 10 pm
South Park open sunrise to 9 pm
Game fish, hike, bike, picnic. The small spring fed waterfall is tucked away at one end of the park which also offers 6.7 miles of paved trails mostly along the shady woodlands of the Mississippi. For a longer jaunt, this trail connects to Crosby Farm trails.

Battlecreek Park
The park has a number of different sections in the area of McKnight and Lower to Upper Afton Rd. in St. Paul
Rec center on Winthrop just south of Upper Afton.
Sunrise to Sunset
Bike, Hike, Picnic, Sled, Cross-country Ski. Park has 1,840 acres of woods, wetlands, grassland and lots of wildlife. Extensive Mountain biking trails, cross- country trails and a lighted sledding hill.

Anoka County Riverfront
East bank of the Mississippi - entrance 1/2 miles south of 694 on west side of East River Rd.
7:30 am to sunset
Bike, hike, fish, boat launch, canoe, picnic, playground

 


Edinborough Park
7700 York Ave. S.
Just north of 494 next to Hawthorne Suites Hotel
952-832-6790
Mon-Thurs/ 9 am-9 pm
Sat-Fri/ 9 am-5 pm, Sun/ 9 am-6 pm
Completely enclosed 1 acre park. Great for a break from winter. Offers an indoor playground and meandering pathways through a dense landscape. Be advised that other attractions in the park - skating rink, swimming pool and fitness area - required paid admission.

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