Discover all sorts of outdoor fun

Got a want-to-do attitude? You’ve come to the right place. From biking to boating, from swimming to skiing, there’s something fun for everyone, no matter the season. So gear up for a good time and bring your partners in fun. There’s just so much to-doing to do.

From archery ranges to horseback riding trails and more, see what's open, what's closed and what requires a pass in Three Rivers.

Things To Do

Archery

Archery

A woman aims a bow and arrow at a target.

Stationary ranges at Elm Creek and Carver Park Reserve offer targets at a variety of distances, as well as a shooting tower. Or test your marksmanship with a walk-through range featuring multiple shooting stations. Open year-round.

Art Education

Art Education

a woman making pottery on a wheel.

Silverwood Park offers nature-inspired art programs for children and adults.

Bike Trail

Biking

Two women bike over a bridge.

Biking in Three Rivers is a great way to get the whole family outside. Whether you’re the casual rider or a cyclist in training, you’ll appreciate more than 240 miles of off-roadway bike/hike trails that wind through woodlands and grasslands and rim the shorelines of lakes and ponds at our parks.

Boat Launch

Boating

two men fishing in a small motor boat.

Three Rivers offers plenty of boating opportunities with over 30 lakes, rivers and streams. With lake access points and trailer parking sites, it’s easy to get the family out on the water to enjoy the ultimate Minnesota pastime.

Campground

Camping

Camping tent and fire

Fall asleep to the sound of crickets and wake up with the sunrise. Camping is the stuff memories are made of and at Three Rivers, you’ll find all the fun of camping without the long car trip. Campgrounds are located at Baker, Carver and Cleary Lake

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country Skiing

Two women cross-country ski on a sunny day.

Three Rivers features 80 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails at various locations. Trails are available for skiers of all skill levels. Don't forget to check trail conditions before you head out.

New this season - cross-country ski equipment rentals are available online and are encouraged before arriving at the park.

Disc Golf

Disc Golf

A boy aims a disc at a disc golf golf basket.

Combine the fun of throwing a flying disc with the challenge of golf, and you get disc golf. This activity is fun for participants of almost any age and ability. Enjoy a day on the course at: 

Dog Trails - Off Leash

Dog Off-leash

A dog without a leash stands in an open area.

Off-leash areas are designated sites where dogs are given the freedom to run and interact with other dogs. Parks at Three Rivers have both fenced and unfenced off-leash areas where you can let your dog run while you enjoy the scenic surroundings and meet other owners.

Dog Trails - On Leash

Dog Trails

A man walks two dogs on leashes on a paved trail.

Three Rivers offers abundant scenery for you and your dog to enjoy year round, with paved, turf, regional and skijoring/dog sledding trails that are dog-friendly. Dogs must be on a six-foot non-retractable leash unless in a designated dog off-leash area. Owners must pick-up after their dogs.

Downhill Ski Area

Downhill & Telemark Skiing

Skier mule kicking in the air

Hyland Hills Ski Area and the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek offer downhill ski areas for all skill levels, from training hills to Olympic-level training jumps. The downhill ski areas feature snowmaking and well-groomed hills for unbeatable winter fun.

Educational Farming

Educational Farming

A young girl waters plants in a greenhouse.

At Three Rivers, those who might not have an opportunity to see the ins and outs of a real working farm get a chance to learn where their food comes from, meet some animals and explore farm life at Gale Woods.

Fishing / Fishing Pier

Fishing

A man and his son fish from the shore of a lake.

Throw a line for your own catch of the day. In Three Rivers, you might reel in muskie, northern pike, sunfish, bass or even walleye.

Formal Gardens

Formal Gardens

View of garden columns

Take in the beauty of the colorful blooms. Smell the sweet, fragrant flowers. Breathe in the fresh air. Relax to the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Our formal gardens at Noerenberg are meticulously maintained to offer visitors a spot of breathtaking beauty and serenity.

Geocaching

Geocaching

Two girls using a GPS unit

Geocaching is a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure.

Golfing

Golfing

Golfer taking a swing

Three Rivers operates 72 holes of golf with driving ranges across the Twin Cities metro area. With scenic courses designed to challenge all levels of ability, you won't have to drive far to get your fix. Come practice your swing or round up a foursome and play a friendly round at one of our six locations:

Hiking

Hiking

A turf trail passes by a sign that says "hiking trail."

One of the best ways to explore year-round is to head out for a hike on the extensive trail system in Three Rivers. Trails wind through the woodland, grassland and wetland habitats of many species of wildlife. You’ll be amazed at what you might see along the way.

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

History Education

History Exploration

a yellow brick farmhouse with a memorial boulder in front of it.

Have you ever wondered what life was like for the people who lived here before us? Step back in time and discover their stories through the historic sites of the Grimm Farm, Noerenberg Gardens, the Historic Pierre Bottineau House, and The Landing. Evidence within the parks tells how people have lived, worked and played here for over 12,000 years.

Horse Trails

Horseback Riding

a person on a horse

If you have a horse and are looking for a place to ride, Three Rivers has miles of scenic horse trails to choose from. Natural woodlands and grasslands provide a beautiful setting for horseback riders.

Mountain Bike Trail

Mountain Biking

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

If you’re looking for your own adventure, give mountain biking a try in Three Rivers. There are designated mountain bike trails at CarverElm Creek, Lake Rebecca and Murphy-Hanrehan parks and other paved bike/hike trails of varying terrain and difficulty for mountain bikers of any skill level.

Nature Education

Nature Education

A naturalist shows a jar of pond water to a young boy.

If you want to get up close and personal or learn a little more, visit Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and Eastman, Lowry or Richardson nature centers. You can hike the trails, interact with seasonal exhibits, observe the unique characteristics of different wildlife species up close, conduct your own science experiment and meet a live animal. 

Paddling

Paddling

Three people kayaking on a lake.

Recreate on the water with canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Get exercise and fresh air while you explore the shorelines and bays where motorized boats can’t go. Need a boat? Three Rivers offers canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddleboat and stand-up paddleboard rentals at several parks.

Picnic Area

Picnic Areas

multi-generational family at a picnic table

Make new memories eating al fresco at a Three Rivers park picnic area in a beautiful, natural setting. All sites have picnic tables, and most sites have other basic amenities including water fountains and permanent grills. Look for a peaceful, serene location or set up just steps from a rip-roaring play area.

Play Area

Play Areas

Colorful play area with slides and climbing strutures

Create new memories at our play areas. Three Rivers has multiple areas designed for varying ages and abilities where toddlers to teens can let their imagination run wild. Monkey business never sounded so fun.

Skijoring and Dog Sledding

Skijoring & Dog Sledding

Women on skis with dog pulling

If you have a dog with some pent-up winter energy, bring it to Three Rivers Parks for fun exercise where we have designated trails for skijoring and dog sledding.

Sledding

Sledding

girl sledding on her stomach with her arms extended like an airplane

It’s easy to feel like a kid again in Three Rivers, where you'll find some of the best sledding hills in town. Just bundle up and grab a sled for hours of exhilarating fun.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding

A snowboarder rides over a pipe feature. Several others snowboarders are behind him.

Snowboarding is just one more way you can enjoy the wintry Minnesota outdoors. From group or private lessons to equipment rental to impeccably groomed hills for every skill level, the Hyland Hills Ski Area and the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek have everything you need to carve up the slopes. 

Snowmobile Trail

Snowmobiling

Snowmobilers on wooded trail

Snowmobiling is permitted at Three Rivers Park District in order to provide links in state Grants-in-Aid snowmobile trails within Baker, Carver, Crow-Hassan, Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserves.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing

four people snowshoeing on a sunny day.

Three Rivers offers trails of varying difficulty for snowshoers of all skill levels. It’s a great way for the entire family to take in the scenes of a Minnesota winter. Please note: Snowshoeing is not permitted on cross-country ski trails unless otherwise noted.

New This Season: Snowshoe rentals require advanced reservations. Availability will vary by location.

 

Swimming

Swimming

two girls swimming

Swimming beaches in Three Rivers are located near play areas, trails, visitor centers and campgrounds, so you can make a day of it. Or try the swim ponds at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park and Elm Creek Park Reserve for the perfect mix of pool and lake.

Tubing

Tubing

Children waiting at the top of the tubing hill

If you like sledding, you’ll love snow tubing at the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek. Ride a moving sidewalk up a hill 10 stories high and then soar back down on a specially designed inner tube. Once you get to the bottom, do it all over again.

Advance reservations are strongly encouraged; please check availability online before coming to the hill. Reservations can be made online or by calling our reservations office at 763-559-6700.

Free Parking

General parking areas at Three Rivers parks and trails are free for personal vehicles. Reservations and fees are required for certain vehicles and premium parking locations.

Passes

The general use of Three Rivers parks and trails is free. A pass or permit is required for certain activities. Learn more about passes and permits.

Purchase a day pass.

Rental Equipment

Need some gear? No problem! Three Rivers offers rental equipment for almost any activity.

Programs and Events

Check out upcoming programs and events to learn a new activity.

Accessibility

Nearly all of our program offerings can be adapted or modified. Please call 763-559-9000 (for relay services dial 711) or email Access@ThreeRiversParks.org to request free modifications and learn about available options. Learn more about accessibility at Three Rivers.