Exploring Dakota County Parks and Trails Across the Seasons
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA - Dakota County, Minnesota, boasts a diverse range of parks and trails, each offering unique experiences throughout the year. Whether you're an avid hiker, nature enthusiast, or simply seeking outdoor adventure, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Join us as we journey through the seasons and discover the best parks and trails to explore during each one.
Spring: Embrace the Renewal
As nature awakens from its winter slumber, Dakota County's parks burst into life with vibrant colors and rejuvenated landscapes. Spring is the perfect time to witness the beauty of budding foliage and blooming wildflowers while listening to the melodic songs of migrating birds.
For a spectacular display of springtime blooms, head to Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, where dozens of bird species can be spotted amidst the lush greenery. Trails wind through wooded areas alongside flowing streams, offering serene birdwatching and natural photography settings. According to the Dakota County Newsletter's Spring/Summer edition, Lake Byllesby Region Park, located near Cannon Falls, Minnesota, reported that over 83 different breeding bird species have been spotted since 2018. Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings, Minnesota, has reported 75 different breeding birds over the last five years. Miesville Ravine Park Reserve and Whitetail Woods Regional Parks, located in Farmington, Minnesota, have reported around 85 breeding bird species over the last five years.
If you prefer paved paths, as trails firm up from the thawing winter, you can explore the scenic routes of the County's Greenway Collaborative while enjoying the fresh spring air. The Greenway Collaborative is an amazing network of interconnecting paved trails that will eventually connect communities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St Paul, and West St Paul with around 200 miles of paved paths by 2030 providing excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and inline skating. By the end of 2024, the Mississippi River Greenway will have a 2.1-mile gap in Rosemount completed which will bring a 27-mile non-stop route from St. Paul to Hastings! Four additional sections are expected to be finished this Fall, including the Veteran Memorial, North Creek (Apple Valley), Vermillion River, and North Creek (Lakeville/Farmington), bringing an additional 8.9 miles to the greenways.
If you would rather harness the spring winds, fly a kite at parks like Whitetail Woods or Spring Lake Park Reserve for a unique outdoor activity. With spacious picnic areas and open spaces, these parks offer ideal locations for kite-flying enthusiasts of all ages.
Summer: Savor the Serenity
As temperatures rise and the days lengthen, summer in Dakota County invites outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the lush greenery and vibrant wildlife of its parks and trails.
Thompson County Park, located in West St. Paul, Minnesota, and Lebanon Hills Regional Park, located in Eagan, Minnesota, are excellent destinations for shaded trails. These parks offer relief from the summer sun while exploring nature's wonders. These parks offer tranquil settings for leisurely walks, invigorating hikes amidst towering trees, and cooling breezes, with a few paths around the lakes make up these beautiful parks.
Lake Byllesby is the largest lake in southern Dakota County and features a swimming beach, splash pad, and lakeside picnic shelter. You can also check out Lebanon Hills Regional Park’s swimming beach and lakeside picnic shelters and rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard to paddle through scenic waterways surrounded by picturesque landscapes.
Take advantage of the opportunity to encounter the largest land mammals in North America at Spring Lake Park Reserve's Bison Prairie. Take a bike ride along the Mississippi River Greenway, where blufftop river views await at Schaar's Bluff.
Provided by Dakota County Parks.
Fall: Revel in Nature's Palette
As summer fades into autumn, Dakota County's parks transform into a kaleidoscope of fiery hues and crisp, cool air. Fall is the perfect time to witness nature's breathtaking display of color and to immerse yourself in the beauty of the changing seasons.
Bike along greenways and trails offering scenic views of the Mississippi and Minnesota river valleys. You'll be greeted by stunning vistas of fall foliage against the backdrop of rolling hills.
Explore the picturesque landscapes of Spring Lake Park Reserve, Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Lebanon Regional Park, and Whitetail Woods Regional Park. Quiet walks through wooded areas reveal nature's vibrant reds, oranges, and gold palettes.
For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, you can also mountain bike at the Lebanon Hills Regional Park West Trailhead and experience the thrill of navigating nearly 12 miles of single-track trails amidst spectacular fall colors on what the Dakota County Park Service calls one of the most popular mountain bike trail systems in the state of Minnesota.
Captured by Will Wight at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Winter: Embrace the Frozen Wonderland
As snow blankets the landscape, Dakota County's parks and trails transform into a winter wonderland, offering a variety of outdoor activities for any cold-weather enthusiasts.
Whitetail Woods Regional Park boasts award-winning, dual-tracked cross-country ski trails that wind through pristine woods, providing an exhilarating experience for skiers of all skill levels. Don a pair of snowshoes and explore the snow-covered trails of any park or trail system, discovering hidden wonders and serene landscapes that are often unseen in summer.
Captured by Will Wight at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Experience the thrill of kick sledding across the snow and ice at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, where you can either be the power or the passenger on an exhilarating ride through winter's embrace. Trying to find a place to sled? Both Lebanon Hills and Whitetail Woods have sledding hills, with the “small hill” at Lebanon Hills perfect for small children and the “big hill” at Whitetail Woods perfect for all ages! Whitetail Woods also offers heated restrooms and fire pits to warm up between runs. If snowshoeing is more your speed, swing by Lake Byllesby, Lebanon Hills, and Whitetail Woods Regional Parks for miles of trails.
If you are looking for a place to try ice fishing, look no further than Lake Byllesby in Lake Byllesby Regional Park and Holland and Schulze Lakes in Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Captured by Will Wight at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Equipment Rental: Don’t Own Equipment? No Worries, Rent it!
Click the links below to go to the equipment rentals for each season.
Summer Equipment Rentals
Winter Equipment Rentals
No matter the season, Dakota County's parks and trails offer endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. From the vibrant blooms of spring to the fiery hues of fall and the tranquil beauty of winter, each season unveils new wonders waiting to be discovered in nature's playground. To learn more about the various parks across the county and where they are located, you can go to the following site: Dakota County Forever Parks.
Written by: Will Wight
Special thanks to Mike Longaecker, a Dakota County Parks Communications Specialist, and the Dakota County Parks Department for the insight into the amazing park opportunities across our amazing county!
