Carver Park Reserve

Situated on the western edge of the Twin Cities, Carver Park Reserve is home to Lowry Nature Center, Grimm Farm Historic Site and King Waterbird Sanctuary. Here, you may spot trumpeter swans, osprey, mink, white-tailed deer, barred owls and a variety of waterfowl and songbirds. Explore year-round activities that take advantage of winding trails, rolling wooded terrain and interconnected lakes and marshes.

Monarch trail enhancements

Construction is underway to add approximately four miles of trail to the existing loops of the Monarch singletrack trail system. In addition to extending the trail, additional features will be added to each loop, with significant enhancements being added to the bike park on the Paradise loop. View a map showing where trail is being added.

Work will continue through early October. The Monarch trail will remain open during the project, but some intermittent closures of trail sections will be needed while work is taking place. Pay attention to signs posted at the park and on the trail, and use caution while riding the trails.

Upon completion, Monarch will be the longest singletrack trail in the Three Rivers system, with approximately 14 miles of trail. The trail enhancements are being developed and built thanks to the generous support and partnership of the One Track Mind Foundation.

Things To Do

Archery

Archery

Children aiming at targets

Range & Walking Course

Keep those skills sharp at the Carver Park archery range. Targets at multiple distances and an elevated platform provide plenty of opportunities to work on your shot, and the walk-through course will have you primed for the season. An annual or daily pass is required for individuals 16 and older.

Bike Trail

Biking

Man biking on paved trail

9.1 miles of trails

A well-maintained, paved trail creates a loop on both the eastern and western sections of the park, with a connecting link in the central part of the park. The trail travels through the park's big woods and along the many marshes. The trail connects to Lowry Nature Center, Lake Auburn Campground and the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail.

 

Boat Launch

Boating

Man and child fishing from boat

604 acres of water

Carver Park Reserve has access to three lakes. Stieger and Auburn offer boat launches and accessible fishing piers. Zumbra offers a boat launch. On Stieger, gas motors are allowed but no wake.

Canoes and kayaks are available to rent at the campground.

Campground

Camping

Woman in tent

57 campsites

For an authentic camping experience, try the Lake Auburn campground. This 57-site rustic public campground is located near an unguarded beach, play equipment, miles of trails and other park amenities for true outdoor fun. Carver Park Reserve also has five rustic group campsites.

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country Skiing

Skier on groomed trail

11.3 miles of trails

An extensive network of trails groomed for skate and classic skiing winds through the western portion of the park, starting at the Carver Winter Trailhead, passing scenic overlooks along the way. One trail leads to Lowry Nature Center. Skiers ages 12 and older must have a Three Rivers Park District daily or annual cross-country ski pass.

Classic and skate ski equipment rentals are available to reserve online up to seven days in advance, when conditions permit.

Don't forget to check the trail conditions before you head out.

Dog Trails - Off Leash

Dog Off-leash

Dogs without leash

27 fenced acres

Let your four-legged friend roam free. A 27-acre off-leash area provides dogs ample room to run. The perimeter is completely fenced, and there is a separate section for small and/or frail dogs. Owners must pick-up after their dog. An annual or daily pass is required.

Dog Trails - On Leash

Dog Trails

Dogs on leash with companions

9.1 miles of trails

Dogs on a six-foot, non-retractable leash are allowed on paved and turf trails except where otherwise noted. Owners must pick-up after their dogs.

Fishing / Fishing Pier

Fishing

Children fishing from boat

846 acres of water

Dip a line in Stieger or Auburn lakes from the accessible fishing piers, or from a boat, canoe or kayak.

Geocaching

Geocaching

GPS units on table

Geocaching is a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure. This activity involves placing or looking for a cache using global positioning system (GPS) equipment.

Hiking

Hiking

Family hiking wooded trail

25.7 miles of trails

A well-maintained paved trail runs along both the eastern and western sections of the park. A centrally located link takes you to a variety of scenic overlooks. Wildlife in Carver Park Reserve may be spotted along the turf trails, as well as over 1,700 feet of floating boardwalk that take you through marsh and tamarack swamps.
 

Please note: In winter, hiking on cross-country ski trails is not permitted.

History Education

History Exploration

Grimm Farm House

Within Carver Park Reserve, you’ll find the Grimm Farm Historic Site, often called the birthplace of the Dairy Belt. The farmhouse area serves as an educational facility where guests have the opportunity to experience Minnesota’s agricultural heritage and explore the relationship between food, land and people. Open seasonally.
 

Horse Trails

Horseback Riding

Family horseback riding

9.2 miles of trails

Extensive horse trails take riders past many of the lakes and marshes in the western portion of the park. Limited trailer parking is available off of Grimm Road. Horse trails are not open during the winter. An annual or daily pass is required for each rider age 16 or older. Check the Horseback Riding page for trail status updates Three Rivers Park District does not rent horses.

Nature Education

Nature Education

Young child looking at bug

The first public nature center built in the Twin Cities, Lowry Nature Center is a beautiful, prairie-style building nestled in the middle of Carver Park Reserve. Inside, view seasonal interpretive displays, visit our live animals, observe birds in our wildlife viewing area, or just relax near the fireplace or on the deck.

Mountain Bike Trail

Mountain Biking

A mountain biker rides on a dirt path through tall grasses.

10.3 miles of trails

The Monarch Singletrack Trail at Carver Park Reserve is open year-round and offers trails for adapted, beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. 

Paddling

Paddling

Youth kayaking on lake

704 acres of water

Carver Park Reserve has access to three lakes: Zumbra, Steiger and Auburn. Launch your own boat on all three, or rent a canoe, kayak or rowboat at Lake Auburn Campground. Steiger Lake has a no-wake restriction.

Watercraft rentals are available from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day every year. Boats can be reserved online up to seven days in advance or in person. Reserving online is encouraged to ensure availability. Reserve a boat.

 

Picnic Area

Picnic Areas

Family at a picnic table

Grab a bite and some rays at one of the first-come-first-serve picnic areas found in the north-western portion of the park reserve. The Springview Picnic Area is also available for group reservations (not available in 2021).

Play Area

Play Areas

Two boys smile at the end of a silde

Closed for the season

While camping at Lake Auburn Campground, kids can burn energy on the play equipment.

Skijoring and Dog Sledding

Skijoring & Dog Sledding

Women on skis with dog pulling

1.45 miles of trails

Skijoring is permitted on the multi-use trail and does not require a ski pass. Access the trail at Lowry Nature Center.

Sledding

Sledding

Girl sledding on hill

Looking to get the wiggles out on a wintery day? Just a short jaunt outside of the entrance to Lowry Nature Center you’ll find an exciting sliding hill. Snowboards, tubes or railed sleds are not permitted. 

Snowmobile Trail

Snowmobiling

Snowmobilers on wooded trail

Carver Park provides links through the park along the west and south-western boundary to state Grants-in-Aid snowmobile trails.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing

Group exploring park on snowshoes

3.9 miles of trails

Explore a winter wonderland along the trails at Lowry Nature CenterPlease note: Snowshoeing is not permitted on cross-country ski trails unless otherwise noted.

New For The 2020-21 Season: Rent snowshoes online up to seven days in advance. Advance reservations required.

Swimming

Swimming

Person on dock

Closed for the season

Escape the beach crowds at the small unguarded beach at Lake Auburn Campground. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 9 AM–8 PM.

Upcoming Events

Maple Syruping Programs

Throughout March | Multiple Locations
Attend a maple syrup festival, learn to make your own syrup, discover maple sugaring and more!

All Programs & Events

Audio Driving Tour

Explore all of the unique features of Carver Park Reserve in this audio driving tour!

Natural Resources

Three Rivers takes great care to preserve the natural beauty of this park through the efforts of the Natural Resources division. In 1984, Three Rivers' placed six young osprey in Carver Park Reserve to establish a viable nesting population. 

Volunteering

Volunteers are an important part of the operations at Carver Park Reserve. Put your talent, passion and energy to use in the parks by volunteering.

Funding

Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund logoFunding to purchase a portion of the land for this park was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

#threeriversparks

The Three Rivers Blog

In Review: Our Big Year of Birds in Numbers

By: Sam Safran & Steven Hogg & John Moriarty

May 23, 2023

Learn about the number of birds and types of birds observed during our 2022 Big Year of Birds! Our natural resources experts dive into the data logged by park visitors.

Wandering Warblers

By: Josh Sweet

May 02, 2022

Learn more about the warbler and its migration, as well as which species of warbler you can spot in Minnesota.

March 01, 2022

Learn key spots to bird in the Three Rivers Park District in the second part of our “Where to Go Birding” series.

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