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.

5 AM–10 PM

County Road 11 road work

This spring and summer, a construction project is taking place on Carver County Road 11, which travels through Carver Park Reserve. The project is a partnership between Carver County and the City of Victoria and includes the addition of turn lanes, wider shoulders and other modifications designed to improve safety. The project is underway, with work on culverts and storm sewers taking place in April.

Beginning April 18, County Road 11 will be closed between the campground entrance and Wisteria Street. During this time, park guests should plan to access Lowry Nature Center and the Monarch Singletrack Trail from the north via Highway 7 and County Road 11. View a map of where County Road 11 is open and closed.

From June through August, County Road 11 will be closed at its intersection with Highway 5. During that time, people traveling to Carver Park Reserve from Highway 5 should use the posted detour on Rolling Acres Road, then travel west on Highway 7 to County Road 11.

Learn more about the project.

Lake Auburn boat launch construction

Beginning May 19 and continuing through August, the Lake Auburn boat launch will be closed for a construction project. The work will involve rebuilding the boat launch, reconfiguring and paving the boat trailer parking area, stabilizing the shoreline near the boat launch, adding a boat cleaning station and providing places for shoreline fishing. The boat launch will be open prior to May 19; however, from that date until the end of August boats will not be able to enter or exit Lake Auburn from the launch. The project is a partnership between Three Rivers Park District and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

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, stand-up paddleboard 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.

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 Center. We recommend renting snowshoes online up to seven days in advance as availability may be limited.

Please note: Snowshoeing is not permitted on cross-country ski trails unless otherwise noted.

Swimming

Swimming

Person on dock

Closed

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.

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

August 01, 2024

A Three Rivers bike enthusiast takes us on a ride through and around her favorite park.

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.

Related News

  • April 22, 2025

    Three Rivers Park District is now conducting prescribed burns and will continue until early June. Learn more about where burns take place, why they happen and how they are managed.

  • November 26, 2024

    Three Rivers Park District and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District will operate aeration systems in several lakes starting after Dec. 16, 2024. Learn more about these systems and how to stay safe on the lakes this winter.

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