More than 45 miles of trails in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge showcase the range of activities in Hennepin: you can hike, bike, snowshoe and cross-country ski there. The refuge encompasses tallgrass prairie, floodplain forests and wetlands. Animals visitors may spot there include bald eagles, wood ducks, river otters, prairie skinks and white-tailed deer. Check the refuge’s current notices before your visit.
Trails through varied landscapes
The Three Rivers Park District also offers an extensive network of trails. It is designed for hiking and biking as well as inline skating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The district’s parks offer further recreational opportunities, including picnicking, swimming, boating and fishing, as well as downhill skiing, snowboarding, golf, camping and sledding. So the range of activities goes beyond trails and wildlife viewing.
In Hennepin County, the Three Rivers Park District is the largest park agency. The district has about 17,000 acres of parkland and 140 miles of regional trails. This scale gives an idea of the network’s breadth, without limiting activities to a single type of landscape.
At Minnehaha Regional Park, you can compare a trail along the edge of the gorge with a descent into it. Easy-to-walk paved trails run along the rim, where Minnehaha Falls plunges into the gorge. Visitors who want to explore the trails in the gorge can reach them via stone stairways. Paths there follow the fast-flowing Minnehaha Creek. This offers two different options: an easy walk along the rim and a route closer to the water.
Wildlife viewing and places to play
Those who want to focus on plants and birds will find more than 500 plant species and 130 bird species at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. The Quaking Bog offers opportunities to spot dragonflies and damselflies, frogs and songbirds. The two places highlight different aspects of nature: the diversity of a garden and the wildlife of a bog.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park combines trails, water access and a large play area. Three miles of paved trails connect different parts of the park and link up with community trails. The park is also home to one of the few public boat ramps on Lake Minnetonka. The 20,000-square-foot, multilevel play area has a nautical theme and is accessible to children of all ages and abilities.
Elm Creek Park Reserve offers another family-friendly feature: one of the largest playgrounds in the state is located there. Paved trails offer views of forests, wetlands and former farmland. Canoes are available at Gale Woods Farm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. If you plan to take advantage of this seasonal option, check availability for your travel dates in advance.
Rivers and cultural discoveries
Six state water trails run through Hennepin County along the Crow, Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. They are connected by a system of boat and canoe launches. The waterways are managed for canoeing, kayaking, boating and camping. They add opportunities on the water to the trails on land; which activity you choose depends on whether you prefer hiking, biking or paddling.
Two other experiences offer a cultural contrast. Behind-the-scenes tours of the Guthrie Theater provide a look at stages, rehearsal rooms, notable architectural features and in-house workshops. Check the current tour schedule as you plan. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is open daily, year-round, and free of charge.
Discover more destinations: Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Osseo, Rogers, Plymouth, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Edina, Long Lake, Mound, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, St. Louis Park, Excelsior, Plymouth, Crystal, Golden Valley, Wayzata.
For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.
