Fort Snelling State Park

Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, this park offers extensive hiking, bike and ski trails that link to Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Canoe on Gun Club Lake, play golf, swim in Snelling Lake, or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers converge. Interpretive exhibits and films on display in the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center give visitors a good background on the history and resources of the park and area. Trails also allow visitors to hike up to the historic Fort Snelling for a view of military life in the 1820s. This is a day-use only park; no camping is available.

Park Highlights:
Fishing
Hiking
Dakota Memorial
Interpretive Exhibits
Bike Trails/Connections
Cross-Country Skiing

Trails

Summer

Hiking 18 Miles
Easy to moderate trails. Most are hard-packed, gravel trails.

Paved Bike 5 Miles
The park's centrally located bike trails connect to the 53-mile long Grand Rounds Scenic Bikeway at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and the Dakota County Big Rivers Regional Trail.

Mountain Bike 10 Miles
Mountain bike trails are located on the Dakota County side of the river.

Winter

Cross Country Skiing 12 Miles
Park has groomed and tracked ski trails and multiple-use packed trails. Minnesota Ski Pass is required.

Snowshoe Anywhere Except On Groomed Trails
Snowshoers must stay off groomed ski trails.

Other Multi-Use Trails
6 miles of trail are packed for multiple use in winter.
3 miles of packed walking trails are maintained on Pike Island.

Recreation Facilities

Summer

Picnic Area Beach/Picnic Island
Both locations are suitable for large gatherings and events. Areas include picnic tables and pedestal grills. Two picnic shelters are located on Picnic Island. Picnic Island has a road access for vehicles. Wheelchair accessible.

Picnic Shelter Open shelter and enclosed shelter
2 shelters are located on Picnic Island, both have electricity. The enclosed shelter has a fire pit and pedestal grill. Shelters can be reserved by calling (612) 279-3555. Both are wheelchair accessible. Shelter A rents for $200/day and Shelter B rents for $150/day. Call 612-279-3555 to reserve a picnic shelter.

Playground Beach and Picnic Island
Both locations have slides, swings, and climbing apparatus.

Volleyball In beach area
Rent equipment at park office.

Winter

Warming House Visitor Center
Visitor Center has a fireplace and flush toilets.

Water

Water Source Lakes and rivers.
Fishing River and lake.
Fishing Pier Wheelchair accessible
Located on Snelling Lake.

Swimming Beach Within the park
Handicapped accessible. Located on Snelling Lake

Boat Access Drive-in and carry-in
On lakes and Minnesota River.

Boating Restrictions Electric motor only, on Snelling Lake