Lebanon Hills Regional Park is such a great park for hiking! The trail system consists of over 14…read moremiles of summer hiking trails and over 12 miles of mountain bike trail. There are multiple parking lots available and even if they seem full don't let that deter you as the park is so large it never feels overly busy. There is also a beach and picnic area available too.

So pretty! We brought our dog but that might have been a bit much for him Everyone had funread more

Richfield Lake Park: 5-Star Getaway for a Quick Escape!…read more Richfield Lake Park deserves its 5 stars. It's not just a park, it's a convenient slice of peace and quiet, everything you need for a quick break without having to go far from the daily grind. One of the best things about the park is its location. Right in the middle of a busy area with stores and businesses, it feels like you found a secret garden. Richfield Lake Park gives you that instant peace. It's an urban oasis, a peaceful retreat that just steps away from the daily demands. The short walking trail is a highlight. It's well maintained and most importantly has a short loop that is perfect. This is ideal for those colder days when you still want to get some fresh air but don't want to commit to a long, arduous hike. You can get the fresh air, the views of the lake, the exercise without getting too cold or spending too much time outside. Just enough to clear your head, stretch your legs and re-energize with a dose of nature. In short, Richfield Lake Park excels at accessibility and peace. It's perfect for anyone looking for a quick escape, a break or a dose of nature especially when the weather calls for a shorter outdoor adventure. If you're in the Richfield area and need a moment of peace, especially on a cold day, do yourself a favor and go to this park. You won't regret it!

Nice park near the cities! I stopped in after some rain so it was a little wet and muddy out as…read moremany of the paths are dirt, which is nice when it's dry. There are a lot of different places to explore, including the historic fort, at different experience levels so it's a great spot for families of all abilities. Their visitor center is also nice and informative!

A Gem: Fort Snelling State Park…read more Rating: I visited Fort Snelling State Park on Memorial Day and I was blown away. Not what you'd expect from the name I know, but this is no ordinary park - it's better. From the moment I walked in I was struck by the natural beauty of the park. If you love the outdoors this is the place for you with plenty of hiking and exploring to be had. The staff do a great job of keeping the park clean and up to date. One of the highlights of my visit was the bike trail. I brought my bike and it was a great decision. The trail is well maintained and has great views of the surrounding area. Plus the park is close to several other trails so it's a great place to start a longer ride. I'm already planning on coming back to use this park as my starting point for future bike adventures. Overall I highly recommend Fort Snelling State Park to anyone looking for a beautiful outdoor experience. Whether you're a seasoned hiker, casual biker or just someone who loves the great outdoors this park has something for everyone. From the natural beauty to the location and trails Fort Snelling State Park is a gem that needs to be found.

This Thank You Thursday, I'm popping in with an updated review - and more love - for Wirth Lake…read more Last year, I added Wirth Lake on Yelp and was SHOCKED that its listing hadn't been on here yet. The Theodore Wirth Park system is so vast, but it still feels highly underrated, unknown, and a true hidden gem in the heart of the city (5 minutes from downtown/North Loop!). After more than a year living within walking distance of this park and lake, I can safely say this is a highlight of my life here in Minnesota. How lucky are we to have stunning, protected, cherished green spaces that are so well-kept? Wirth Lake has it all: - A lovely paved walking path around the lake - Stunning views from the over-water bridge - A beach (YES!!) with shade, seating, and and over-water floating bridge - Sand volleyball courts (sign up for a league!) - Restrooms and facilities (weather-dependent, closed for winter) - Adirondack chairs under shade - Huge playground system - Basketball court Need I say more? With its connected access to the rest of the parkway walking and biking trails, close distance to Quaking Bog and Elise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, this is a highlight of the Bryn Mawr neighborhood. I love enjoying the lake in all seasons - and I must say, I've seen some of the best sunsets in MN right here. I'm so thankful to have this protected space as part of our Minneapolis Parks system!

Last month, I visited Wirth Lake for the first time. Minnesota is known for having at least 10,000…read morelakes. So, there's plenty of them for me to discover. Wirth Lake is a part of Theodore Wirth Park, which the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board manages. I learned that it's actually situated in Golden Valley. Well, it's thankfully managed well. I went on a Saturday. It was 2°C. With the windchill, it felt more like -6°C. I should return when it's warmer. I look forward to ditching the toque and mitts. It has a nice beach. I actually walked along a path with the lake on either side of me. It was enjoyable as someone who grew up in the Beaches and gravitates towards lakes without much thought. Despite the winds, it felt nice watching the ripples in the water as I walked. I saw some volleyball courts. Summer can't come any sooner! You can fish in this lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye are some fish that are present. There are some nice paths to walk and enjoy. The trees are majestic and likely provide some nice shake when it's hot. I especially loved the signs detailing the history of Wirth Lake. It used to be the site of the Aqua Follies, an aquatic extravaganza between 1941 and 1964. There was a 6,000-seat grandstand and an Olympic-sized pool. The shows featured high divers and synchronized swimmers. Eventually, the aging structure was torn down. There's nothing left of it. It's kind of sad, but I'm glad that I learned about these aquatic shows. I had no problem finding parking in front of the pavilion. The park is rather large, so you either have small lots scattered everywhere or you can park on the street. I enjoyed my time here, despite it being a bit nippy for April. I'd love to return when it's t-shirt and shorts weather and stay longer. (124)

This park is a wonderful place to enjoy a walk in nature. The trails are well-maintained, and it's…read morea dog-friendly spot, which makes it even better!

Beautiful place to hike, picnic or get family photos…read more Free parking. No playground - just places to run and play and hike. There is a dog park though!

Great park and many spots to explore! I stopped in with a friend for a quick hike and we walked…read moredown by the water and enjoyed some snacks by the river. It's nice that we have this park so close to the cities!

I've enjoyed all seasons at this state park: in the winter, I've snow showed, in the spring/fall…read moreI've hiked, and in the summer I've enjoyed the beach. I've been to all 69 state parks in MN, and this one is my favorite near the metro area. There is something for everyone, although the hike to the beach includes a steep incline which can be a bother if you are carrying lots of gear (chairs, umbrella, water toys, etc).

Last time I started on the other end of the trail, I don't recommend it. If you are going in winter…read moretime, bring cleats for your boots, last year I wiped out on the ice, fool me once... This lovely hike runs along the Mississippi River. As you can see from the pictures, there are waterfalls to see. The wild life wasn't as active due to the cold, but we still heard some birds. You've never experienced listening to a woodpecker until you've done so next to a frozen river. It echoed around like crazy. Even though this is an intermediate level trail, you are often close to the parkway so if something goes wrong it's not a long way to get help. In the winter do bring a hiking partner, cleats, warm clothes, snacks, water, and a whistle. I'm so grateful to have so a beautiful hike so close to the city.

This trail in Minneapolis is very easy to get to, there's tons of parking on the street and parking…read morelots, and it's a very easy trail to walk. Today, it was towards the end of peak fall colors season and there were tons of leaves all over and while it was past peak, it was still a very pretty walk. It wasn't super busy, but it was busy enough for you didn't feel unsafe. I believe this trail is about 5 miles round-trip, but you can go halfway or as long as you want to. as I said, it's a very easy trail to walk with slight elevation gains but overall it's the elevation stays about the same and it's very safe and it's pretty well marked.

A rather plain looking park. There is a large office which apparently is open all year. There are…read moreplenty of picnic tables protected from rain. Not much for hiking as there are a few trails that are not scenic. The main reason for the bland look is a lack of trees. Here we go again for a regional park. Wide open areas with crew cut grass which just burns in the sun all summer. There is a small patch of prairie grass which they more of, or else plant some trees.

Washington County Regional Park on the St. Croix River with a nice campground and some nice trees…read moreand picnic areas. From the size of the boat parking lot, I would guess that this is a main boat launch. Not a fancy beach, Rocky and a little weedy, but swimming river water felt great.