Best Natural Parks Nearby Minneapolis Near Me

4worldlovers: Situated near Historic Fort Snelling, the park is also adjacent to the Twin Cities International Airport and ranks as one of Minnesota's top 10 tourist attractions, with an average of over 400,000 annual visitors.

This large state park opened in 1962 and helps to conserve open space and wildlife in the heavily- populated metropolitan area. The park is adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and seven major paved bike trails link the park with the surrounding suburbs and cities. Visitors will experience most of the amenities that other state parks have, except for camping. Wildlife is plentiful and hiking trails run throughout the park leading visitors away from the more heavily visited parts of the park.

Fort Snelling State Park is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. The Dakota called this place Ha-Ha Mdo-Te which translates to "junction of two rivers" and from which the town of Mendota got its name.

4worldlovers:
Hidden Falls Regional Park is located along the Mississippi River bluffs just below Lock and Dam 1. This beautiful park is great for birding, fishing, picnicking, walking, and biking.


CLOSURE NOTICE: Roads, trails, amenities, and sections of Hidden Falls Regional Park may be closed at times due to flooding, construction, restoration, or other conditions. The gates may close to vehicle traffic during the winter due to the steep roads becoming hazardous. Please obey all barriers and signage. Do not trespass into closed areas of the park. For updates and information, visit the Park Closures & Special Notices page and the Public Works Road Closures page.


BBQ Grill, Benches, Biking Trail, Boat Launch, Fire Pit, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, Restroom Facilities, and Shelter


With about 6.7 miles of paved trails, the park provides a beautiful setting for an afternoon's walk, run, or ride. Trails run along shady, wooded bottomlands next to the Mississippi River, past scenic picnic areas, and connects to the Mississippi River Boulevard parkway.

Fitness in the Parks is a free outdoor exercise program offered throughout the summer. Classes are open to all ages and no registration is necessary.

Expect to catch primarily panfish when fishing the Mississippi River banks. One DNR official called the Mississippi River "the fishin' river of Minnesota." It has a fantastic array of gamefish such as walleye, sauger, northern pike and muskie. Standard state regulations apply to fishing on the Mississippi. Call (651)259-5831 for more fishing regulation information.

Note: Boat launch is located at Hidden Falls North (Magoffin entrance)

Hidden Falls has an open shelter that covers 12 of 16 picnic tables and seats approximately 60 people. Electricity is available at a 110 volts. Multiple crock pots, coffee pots, roasters and other electric items may cause overloads on the power source.

Also Available are the following: drinking fountains, 2 fire rings, 1 boat launch, paved trails and barbecue grills which are located around the site.

Note: The possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in this park.

Please contact the Park Permit Office at 651-632-5111 or ParksPermits@ci.stpaul.mn.us for more information or to make a reservation. Office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in this park.

Please remember that despite the wilderness setting of Hidden Falls Parks, it is still a city park and subject to the same rules for dogs as any other city park. Pets must be licensed and secured by a leash six feet or less. Owners are required to carry clean-up materials for their pets' droppings. Anyone violating these rules are subject to ticketing. Remember, loose dogs and wildlife don't mix!

May be used only on designated bike paths. Motorized vehicles have the right of way at all intersections with bike paths. Bicyclists are allowed only on bike paths and roads reserved for vehicular traffic.

Barbecue grills are available, and people may bring their own grill for outdoor cooking. Recreational fires are allowed only at fire rings.

The park dates back to 1887, when it was selected by Horace Cleveland, a nationally known landscape architect and park planner, as one of four major park sites for the City of Saint Paul. Except for the use of a portion of the land as a tree nursery, no improvement was made in Hidden Falls Park until 1936-37, when the WPA carried out an extensive improvement program on the site. Featured in the park was a small spring-feed waterfall from which the park got its name. In the mid 1960's the park took much of its present form as work began on the park's four primary use areas: the primitive area, boat launching area, general picnic area, and scenic falls area.

The Hidden Falls - Crosby Farm Regional Park Master Plan was adopted in 2019. The plan guides future park improvements and natural resources management. Priority improvement projects will be implemented as funding and opportunities become available. See the Hidden Falls - Crosby Farm Regional Park Projects webpage for more information.