Silverwood Park

Nestled along the shores of Silver Lake, Silverwood Park is a unique natural destination devoted to supporting the practice, appreciation and awareness of creative interactions between people and the natural environment. Discover the work of regional artists and poets along park trails and indoor gallery spaces, take part in our educational programming or participate in one of our many unique opportunities for artists and park guests.

Only minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Silverwood trails offer spectacular views of Silver Lake, restored prairie and mature oak savanna. Park amenities include an art gallery, education facilities, event rental space, a café/coffee shop, picnic sites, fishing opportunities, canoe and kayak rentals, an outdoor performance space and more.

Park Hours: 5 AM–10 PM, daily

Visitor Center Hours: 9 AM–5 PM, daily

Interactive Map of Silverwood

Silverwood PDF Maps

Year-round Map

Self-guided Tour Maps (for poetry, sculptures, natural history and forest bathing)

Find yourself in the parks with the Avenza app! Learn more.

Things To Do

Art Education

Art Education

A woman works clay on a potters wheel

Silverwood Park offers a place dedicated to reconnecting visitors to the natural world through artistic creation. The natural beauty of the grounds and trails serve as a wonderful backdrop to year-round art activities. Professional art educators engage and inspire through program and lesson offerings for both individuals and groups.

Silverwood OnStage brings a summer of concerts and other performances to the outdoor amphitheater. An art gallery can be found in the Visitor Center that hosts a variety of creative and thought provoking art shows.

Bike Trail

Biking

Two people ride bikes on a path

One mile of trails

A mile-long paved trail circles the park. Bikers will enjoy the oak forests, formal gardens, prairie and lake shore that they will encounter as they meander along the trail.

Boat Launch

Boating

A kayak on a lake

49 acres of water

Experience Silver Lake by canoe or kayak. Silverwood rents canoes and kayaks during the warmer months. Call for rental hours and other details.

Dog Trails - On Leash

Dog Trails

A couple walks their dog

One mile of trail

A mile-long trail circles the park. The trail is paved and is plowed in the winter months. Dog walkers with dogs on a six foot non-retractable leash can enjoy the oak forests, formal gardens, prairie and lake shore that they will encounter as they meander along the trail. Owners must pick-up after their dog.

Fishing / Fishing Pier

Fishing

A man fishes from a pier

70 acres of water

Guests can enjoy limited shoreline fishing on Silver Lake or use the foot bridge. Two accessible fishing piers provide for both shallow and deep-water angling. Anglers must have a valid Minnesota fishing license.

Formal Gardens

Formal Gardens

Flowers bloom in a garden

Gardens have been shown to help relieve stress and it’s not hard to understand why. 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 at Silverwood.

Geocaching

Geocaching

A man holds a GPS device

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

A couple walks along a shaded path

1.6 miles of trails

A mile-long accessible trail circles the park. The trail is paved and is plowed in the winter months. Hikers will enjoy the oak forests, formal gardens, prairie and lake shore that they will encounter as they meander along the trail.

Walkers in the park will discover sculpture and poetry installations along the trails. 

Paddling

Paddling

A man stands on a paddle board

49 acres of water

Look for wildlife as you paddle around the islands and along the quiet shoreline of Silver Lake. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent from the equipment-sharing station during the summer season.

Picnic Area

Picnic Areas

A family gathers around a picnic table

Enjoy a picnic while gazing across the placid lake. Cross the footbridge to the island and find the reservation picnic shelter with a fire pit and built-in charcoal grills. Pick up a bite to eat at the Silverwood Cafe, serving a variety of artistic sandwiches and coffees.

All Programs & Events

See all upcoming programs and events at Silverwood.

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 inside of the Silverwood Great Hall is set with tables and chairs.

Rental Spaces

The Silverwood Park Great Hall, Classroom, Amphitheatre and Island Shelter are beautiful, unique spaces to reserve for weddings, company parties and other special events.

Learn more about rental areas at Silverwood and reserve a space: 

In the visitor center, you can browse the latest art exhibit in the gallery or take a break with a coffee at the café.

Silverwood’s gallery space plays host to professional artist and student work throughout the year. Creativity continues outside; the mile-long paved trail is dotted with sculptures and poetry by regional artists.

Interested in showing your work at Silverwood? Learn about opportunities for artists.

Latte art decorates the surface of a latte in a dark blue mug.

Silverwood Café

The Silverwood Café offers locally sourced, organic snacks and beverages. Unique beverages like nitrogen-infused cold brew and organic kombucha, as well as traditional drink options like freshly brewed coffee and hot chocolates, make Silverwood Café a must-stop while exploring the park.

Hours: 9 AM–5 PM, daily.

Silverwood Park has a natural history trail incorporated into our poetry and sculpture trails. On this self-guided tour, learn more about Silver Lake, the history of Silverwood, and special features like the Dyers Garden or the Bird Feeder Station! There are eight stops to digitally explore. Explore with us and learn more about our story at Silverwood Park!

Funding

Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund logoFunding for shoreline stabilization and shoreline fishing improvements on the island was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Scheduled Group Programs

Whether your group wants to learn more about plants and fibers through a papermaking class, discover animal habitats through activities with clay or document the local environment through photography, Silverwood has a class for your group.

Celebrate your special day with a birthday at Silverwood park. Join our Art Educators and naturalists for a fun activity and a chance to explore the park. Guests can choose from a variety of art-inspired party themes.

Three Rivers offers numerous ways for teens to get involved in the arts, volunteering and more. Join the Silverwood Teen Arts Council or find something else that interests you.

Fly Over Silverwood

 

 

Help support art in nature at Silverwood Park so future generations can enjoy the same beauty you see today. Donations support art installations, performances, residencies, programming and more. Your gift will be instantly put to work. Contributions of $250 or more are recognized with a plaque on the donor wall at the park.

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