Paved regional trails, nature paths and an observatory at Baylor Regional Park reveal different sides of Carver. The area also offers lakeside landscapes, opportunities to observe nature and places where regional history comes to life. Depending on your interests, you can focus your visit on a trail, a natural area or a cultural theme.

Trails Through Varied Landscapes

The approximately 2-mile paved County Road 11 Regional Trail runs between County Road 10 and County Road 61. It is intended for walking and hiking, biking, running, dog walking, inline skating and roller skiing. The Dakota Rail Regional Trail has a different story: this 12.4-mile destination trail follows a former railroad corridor through the northern part of Carver County. The Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail is about 15 miles long and runs between Carver Park Reserve and Hopkins.

Along the southern edge of Carver County, the approximately 8.5-mile Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail runs parallel to the Minnesota River. The trails therefore vary in both length and route. The Highway 5 Regional Trail connects to Carver Park Reserve; local trails along Highway 41 also provide a connection to Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. Visitors can also reach the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum by bike via regional trails.

Parks, Lakes and Activities

Baylor Regional Park covers 201 acres and sits on Eagle Lake in western Carver County. In spring, the Maple Trail puts maple syrup in the spotlight: seasonal programs include demonstrations of maple sap collection and maple syrup making. The same park is home to Eagle Lake Observatory, which offers astronomy classes, public viewing events and opportunities to explore the night sky. Public star parties combine telescope viewing with astronomy learning activities. Check the schedule before your visit.

At Lake Minnewashta Regional Park, about 5 miles of trails wind through wooded areas, prairie habitats and lakeside landscapes. Dogs have an 18-acre fenced off-leash area with separate spaces for large and small dogs, as well as about 1 mile of trail for dogs and their owners. Carver Park Reserve offers another highlight: the Monarch Singletrack Trail, with more than 14 miles of trails comprising five loops through wetlands, grasslands and forests. Difficulty ranges from easy to challenging, and one trail is designed for adaptive bikes. Hikers and snowshoers are also among the intended users.

Lake Waconia Regional Park covers 164 acres on the south shore of Lake Waconia. Its sledding hill is usually open from December through March, weather and conditions permitting. Seasonal camping is available at Baylor Regional Park from the second full weekend in May through the second full weekend in October. There are no admission fees to visit Carver County’s regional parks. No boat launch permits are required at the boat launches on Parley Lake, Lake Auburn and Lake Zumbra in Carver Park Reserve.

Nature, Gardens and Regional History

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located in Carver County. The Prairie connects the original Big Woods to a 22-acre prairie along a 0.5-mile trail. If you’d like a guided tour of the gardens, consider the 30-minute Guided Garden Tours: these walks include four to six stops along a fully accessible route. There are also live-narrated tram rides on the Three-Mile Drive, which passes through collections, display gardens and the Farm at the Arb. These rides may be seasonal; the tour schedule can also change, so check dates in advance.

Lowry Nature Center was the first public nature center in the Twin Cities. Offerings include interpretive exhibits, visits with resident animals and opportunities for wildlife observation. The 250-acre interpretive area offers a different view of the landscape: trails extend between lakes, tamarack swamps, cattail marshes and hardwood forests.

History can also be explored in a variety of ways. Coney Island of the West is a 34-acre historic island in Lake Waconia and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Carver County Historical Society devotes five galleries to local history and another to veterans; scavenger hunts are available for visiting children. Grimm Farm Historic Site brings Minnesota’s agricultural heritage to life. The role of the Grimm family is part of that story: their seed-selection practices led to the first winter-hardy alfalfa in North America.

Discover more destinations: Chanhassen, Chaska, Waconia, New Germany, Murray, Nicollet County, Winona County, Goodhue.

For the main travel overview: Minnesota.