Trails for Different Interests

Ramsey County manages six regional trails within the Metropolitan Council’s Regional Recreation Open Space System. The county’s trails are suitable for hiking, biking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. This range of activities covers everything from getting around on foot or by bike to cross-country skiing. If you’re planning your visit around your interests rather than a set route, this variety is a useful starting point. Specific trail features can then help you find your way, such as those at Keller Regional Park.

Keller Regional Park has paved trails and a boardwalk that runs from the Island area under Highway 36 to Spoon Lake. If you like to orient your outing around a landscape feature, Spoon Lake is the clear endpoint of this boardwalk connection. This easy-to-follow route complements the county’s broad range of activities.

Nature Experiences in White Bear Township

Tamarack Nature Center is a 320-acre nature preserve in White Bear Township. Its programs include nature walks and up-close encounters with animals; specific program dates may vary. If you enjoy spending time outdoors and are interested in close-up animal encounters, the center brings these two aspects together in its program offerings. If you’re planning to attend a specific program, it’s worth checking the dates in advance.

Choose Winter Activities Based on Their Conditions

In winter, you can compare the different options based on their stated conditions. Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area has machine-made snow, lighted cross-country ski trails, sledding, snowshoeing and winter hiking. Operations may vary by season, so check conditions for your planned visit. A shared cross-country ski pass for Ramsey County and Saint Paul is valid for more than 50 kilometers of marked and groomed trails with natural snow. Pass rules may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your trip. One clear difference between the descriptions is the type of snow: Battle Creek uses machine-made snow, while the pass covers trails with natural snow. Ramsey County parks also offer snowshoeing, paved hiking trails, sledding, dog parks and ice fishing in winter.

Golf as Another Focus

Ramsey County has four public golf courses. Keller Golf Course has an 18-hole course and an accessible driving range with practice facilities. These facilities provide additional opportunities to practice golf alongside the course itself. If golf is one of your interests, you can consider both the broader selection and this more fully described example.

Explore more destinations: Maplewood, Saint Paul, Vadnais Heights, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Roseville, Mounds View, Sherburne County.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.