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.

Get visitor information for exploring 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.

Hours Park Hours: 5 AM–10 PM Store Hours: Mon–Sat, 9 AM–5 PM; Sun, 12–5 PM

Interactive Map of Gale Woods

Gale Woods PDF Map

Year-round Map

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

Things To Do

Bike Trail

Biking

Group of bikers on paved trail

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.

Boat Launch

Boating

Couple carrying canoe to lake

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

Educational Farming

Boy holding fresh picked carrots

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 / Fishing Pier

Fishing

Two kids fishing from canoe

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. Accessible parking is available at the fishing pier. For access or more information, call 763-694-2001.

Hiking

Hiking

Children hiking farm trail

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

Paddling

People canoeing at sunset

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 from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Reserve a canoe or call 763-694-2001 for more information.

Picnic Area

Picnic Areas

View of picnic area and lake

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

Snowshoeing

a woman walks through a snow-covered forest on snowshoes.

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

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

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

Celebrate your birthday with a unique, hands-on experience at Gale Woods! 

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 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 9:30 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

Seasonal rentals

Snowshoes

Snowshoes can be rented at Gale Woods Farm during the winter season as conditions allow.

Equipment rental reservations are required to guarantee availability on your preferred day/time. Reservations can be made online or over the phone by calling 763-559-6700. Snowshoes can be reserved from seven days in advance to 2 hours prior, as snow conditions allow. Availability may vary between locations and walk-up rentals are very limited.

Canoes

Canoes are available at Gale Woods Farm from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

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.

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.

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.

Trails That Connect

The Wandering Naturalist

Episodes 195–197: Women and Wilderness

Join Brandon and Angela this month as we discuss women and wilderness. Discover how rewarding pursuing a career in the outdoors can be, the role educators play in creating a more inclusive space for everyone to explore their relationship with the outdoors and how our connection with the land guides our own healing.

Related Blog Posts

February 06, 2024

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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.

February 12, 2021

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. 

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