Gale Woods Farm
Outdoor fun on a real working farm! Located on picturesque Whaletail Lake in Minnetrista, Gale Woods Farm features a unique educational opportunity for visitors of all ages to gain an understanding of agriculture, food production and land stewardship.
Explore the park on your own, attend a public program or event, or schedule a group visit. You can also buy meat, wool, seasonal produce and more or host a celebration. In addition to programs and summer camps for aspiring farmhands, you'll find a variety of skill-based classes including fiber arts, cooking and gardening.
Interactive Map of Gale Woods
Gale Woods PDF Map
Find yourself in the parks with the Avenza app! Learn more.
Things To Do
Biking
2.2 miles of trails
Enjoy crushed limestone trails for hiking or biking as you loop around rolling fields and forests, and take in the scene of undeveloped lakeshore and beautiful wetlands. Cows, sheep and pigs may be visible on the pastures, and you can see chickens in the barnyard. Bike to the farm on the Dakota Rail Regional Trail.
Boating
558 acres of water
Enjoy a ½-mile hike around the pastures to the accessible fishing pier and non-motorized boat access. The reward: exploring the secluded bays of Whaletail Lake, known for its crappie and panfish. Canoe rentals and rack rental space are available June—September. Reserve a canoe or call 763-694-2001 for more information.
Educational Farming
Gale Woods presents unique opportunities to experience agriculture, food production and land stewardship. Workshops in gardening, farming, fiber arts and cooking strive to enrich lives and create connections in a casual group setting. The barn is open during public programs and scheduled group field trips, during which visitors can meet the animals and take part in seasonal farm activities such as collecting eggs, feeding the sheep, planting and harvesting in the garden or creating a wool-craft.
Fishing
558 acres of water
Enjoy a half-mile hike around the pastures to the accessible fishing pier and non-motorized boat access. The reward: exploring the secluded bays of Whaletail Lake, known for its crappie and panfish. Canoe rentals and rack rental space are available June—September. Reserve a canoe or call 763-694-2001 for more information.
Hiking
3.5 miles of trails
Enjoy crushed limestone trails for hiking or biking as you loop around rolling fields and forests, and take in the scene of undeveloped lakeshore and beautiful wetlands. Cows, sheep and pigs maybe visible on the pastures, and you can see chickens in the barnyard. Walk or hike to the farm on the Dakota Rail Regional Trail.
Paddling
558 acres of water
Enjoy a half-mile hike around the pastures to the accessible fishing pier and non-motorized boat access. The reward: exploring the secluded bays of Whaletail Lake, known for its crappie and panfish. Canoe rentals and rack rental space are available June—September. Reserve a canoe or call 763-694-2001 for more information.
Picnic Areas
Several picnic areas are spread around the farm. The pastoral scene and vista of Whaletail Lake offers a wonderful backdrop. A spacious three-season picnic pavilion is available for rent. Gale Woods has earned national recognition as a “green” venue for hosting earth-friendly events.
Snowshoeing
4.2 miles of trails
Enjoy ungroomed trails for snowshoeing as you loop around rolling fields and forests, and take in the scene of undeveloped lake shore and beautiful wetlands. Beef cattle and sheep may be visible on the pastures, and if the weather is right, you may be able to see chickens in the barnyard.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 16 | Gale Woods
Learn all about the magical Scandinavian Tomte tradition. Make a Tomte ornament, visit the animals, and enjoy stories, music and s'mores around a warm fire!
Dec. 8–21 | Multiple Locations
Celebrate the solstice at Three Rivers! Learn about the night sky, join a snowshoe hike, make a Tomte ornament, and more.
All Programs & Events
See all upcoming events and programs at Gale Woods!
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.
The pavilion is available for large groups April–November. This facility, a popular spot for weddings and corporate events, overlooks Whaletail Lake and the farm’s pastures and gardens. The firepit is available for rental year-round.
Visitor Information
For questions, please email us at gwf@threeriversparks.org or call 763-694-2001.
Visiting the Farm Animals
Explore three miles of hiking trails to observe the farm animals on pasture. The park is free and open to the public 5 AM–10 PM daily. You may see chickens, cattle, sheep, guard dogs, cats and pigs as well as turkeys and a llama in the summer and early fall. The barn is only open during scheduled events.
To meet the animals and learn more about the farm, attend a public program or event or schedule a group program. Picnic tables are available throughout the grounds, and a restroom and water fountain is accessible in the visitor center during park hours. Please note that the trails are not paved.
Dogs
Due to consideration of the farm animals, dogs are not allowed at Gale Woods Farm.
Farm Store & Visitor Center
Hours: Monday–Saturday: 9 AM–5 PM; Sunday: 12–5 PM
Purchase food and other goods grown or raised at Gale Woods from the Farm Store.
Farm Market
From mid-June to mid-October, visit our outdoor Farm Market on Saturdays from 9 AM–12:30 PM to purchase vegetables and fruit grown in the gardens. You can also participate in the CSA program.
Groups
Whether you’re with a school, scout troop, 4-H or other group, Gale Woods Farm offers exciting, hands-on programs for preschoolers through adults. Learn more.
Take A Virtual Tour
Explore the farm in a virtual tour!
Watch A Video About Gale Woods
Equipment Rental
Canoes
Canoes can be rented at Gale Woods Farm from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day (May 28–September 5).
Rental hours:
- Monday–Saturday (including Holidays): 9 AM–4:30 PM
- Sunday: 12:15–4:30 PM
Recreation equipment rental is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Watercraft can be reserved online up to seven days in advance or in-person. Reserving online is encouraged to ensure availability. Same-day reservations are available. Reserve a canoe.
Gale Woods Newsletter
Want to know what's happening at Gale Woods? Sign up to receive news from the farm!
Give to Gale Woods
Make a donation to Gale Woods Farm today.
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Trails That Connect
The Wandering Naturalist
Episodes 146–148: The Future of Conservation
This month, we're talking about the future of conservation! Learn about tools scientists use for monarch conservation, how dogs perform conservation work, and about an app that documents reptiles and amphibians while helping conservation.
Related Blog Posts
Where to Go Birding in Three Rivers (Part 2)
By: Steven Hogg
Learn key spots to bird in the Three Rivers Park District in the second part of our “Where to Go Birding” series.
A Love Letter to Gale Woods Farm
By: Mari Melby
Mari Melby, one of our park guests, shares why she loves visiting Gale Woods Farm with her family and how it's become such a special place in their lives.
Guardians of Gale Woods
By: Tim Reese
Meet the furry guardians of Gale Woods Farm who protect the sheep and learn what makes llamas and Great Pyrenees dogs good shepherds.
Related News
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KARE 11's Hitting the Trails series highlights Three Rivers Parks.
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