Fort Snelling State Park

First things first — as a state park, it costs $ 5 per car to get a parking permit from the little information house near the entrance. As such, this would not be a park you would go to everyday just to walk your dog, but it is worth it for a hike or to have a simple afternoon showing off nature to people visiting.
There are a couple of trails scattered through the area, crossing between different islands and landmarks. As something I just learned from a tour guide, the park consists of three different counties.
The highlight of the park is the fort of Fort Snelling. Unfortunately, it is closed in the winter months, but is open between Memorial day to Veterans day. It is not the most impressive looking historic structure, but it does have character.
In the winter months, when the lake freezes over, the park offers a few programs to try out. They offer snow shoeing on the lake, as well as ice fishing on the lake where they provide all the equipment.
I am a sucker for government parks and recreation services, so this park may or may not be right up your alley.
One drawback to this park is its close proximity to the airport. As such, you’ll see lot of low airplanes as they are taking off from the airport.

Pike island is nice to hike. However the park is close to the airport so depending what you do, you may have air traffic noise to contend with. Canoeing on Lake Snelling, we saw 3 blue heron and an egret fishing on the shoreline along with flocks of migrating pelicans (flying). The lake is relatively small, so it’s easily canoed in 1 – 1.5 hours. Airplanes fly overhead if the southeast runways are in use, so it’s not a quiet nature experience. We wanted to canoe Gun Lake, but we’re told the water was low and better to try in the spring. Canoe rents was $ ¹⁵⁄₄ hours.

The fort’s restoration was immaculate. The costumed interpretive guides were very informative and authentic. They made the experience fantastic and we would have stayed longer 2 hours if it hadn’t been so hot.

Never really think to review parks, but here goes!
Fort Snelling is almost in my backyard!
They have everything from biking, walking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, lots of beaches on the river and hidden lakes, fishing, wildlife viewing, etc. Just a few days ago we saw several deer, a beaver, some blue herons, a crane and turkeys — flying in TREES!!! I have never seen a turkey fly let alone PERCHED in a tree! Oh my stars.
Lots of picnicking on picnic island and pike island is off limits to bikes — and I usually have my bike. .
They just added some new features to the park in the cold springs area — where a bunch of gov’t buildings used to be. It looks really nice and looking forward to seeing it when the prairie and foliage has grown in!

an unfortunately squashed but still cute dead chipmunk with entrails exposed greeted me here. i did not take this as a terrible omen.
the trails spread through prairie. peaceful. several deer about.
i came upon a monument to an 1860’s Dakota Indian prison, where many died
by white hands or froze in the whiteness of snow.
a plaque honoring the tribe wrote, «please respect the sacredness of this place.»
i felt deep pain wanted to scream for them then, but the time was past
my bike tire flat, i focused on what could be done: find air.
tucked-​away lakes, sand volley-​ball courts, and other amenities for your child’s birthday party are here.
landing planes fly low overhead, momentarily roaring
the warbler must be astonished
come here and explore

What a hidden gem. Fort Snelling is a huge state park with gorgeous trails for walking and biking and a beautiful/​barely used beach. It’s centrally located between Minneapolis and Saint Paul so it’s not that far of a drive if you are coming from either city.
The best part is you are so close to the airport that it feels like the planes are going to land on you while you’re getting your tan on.

Fort Snelling is a great park for a nice day on the river. Although they don’t have camping, it’s a nice getaway from the city life. Bring your bike or your good walking shoes for a great time in this park. When we went we were there for 3 – 4 hours. You can easily spend a full day here on all the trails.

The boyfriend and I went on an adventure here yesterday which turned into a 4 hour long excursion! We had a lot of fun, I mean A LOT! Snelling State Park is huge, I was mildly impressed. There were many parts of the park to that had no one else around, which was really nice. Tons of trails, you walk to the Mississippi, and see ravaging birds devouring dead animals on the shore! What could be better?
I want to go back, the place is definitely worth the $ 5 parking permit you need to get in. At first we didn’t know what to expect, but after our first hour of trail hiking, we had to keep going. The park is really well kept as well, and the deer are not afraid of people! I saw someone running the trails who passed us about 5 or 6 times, I might have to take her tip and go running out there. It seems like a really cool place to go get some nature and exercise at the same time.
We ended up with a tick on us, so don’t do as we did, and wear loose clothing and venture off the paths into the woods every 10 minutes. Unless you too, want some ticks!
This is the perfect park for anyone visiting Minneapolis, or for family fun; and bring your pup! I can’t wait to go back!

Have you ever seen a canon firing in front of your eyes?
If not, make it a point to visit Fort Snelling.
For a museum and historical landmark this was worth the $ 10 ($ 8 for students) that it cost. People act their roles. You will learn how soldiers destroyed their teeth enamel by brushing with charcoal and salt. It’s like an interactive history lesson, where you can see and feel things in real life.
It’s like a museum where the wax figures break out of their box and start talking to you.
They’re alive!
Make sure you check the times for the canon demonstration.

Is it accurate to list Fort Snelling State Park with an address in St. Paul?
Smacks of greed on the part of city planners who want to take any glory they can from the cold austere clutches from momma minnapolis across the street.
This is the first park we saw when we flew into the twin cities for the first time. I mean, you fly right over the southern portion on your descent.
During one visit, we rode our bikes from the eastern entrance and hours later found ourselves in Minnehaha park!
Through sweat stained eyes, I bleated «Fucking Minneapolis?! How’d that happen?»
Still to this day I do no know.
Hike, bike, snowshoe (quiet, wildlife in the winter, undisturbed) you name it.
There is even a Fort here, you might have heard of it. Trust me, it isn’t like the forts you made with your brother in the living room, sofa cushions and sheets.
My favorite part is on Pike Island, at the tip where you can stand at the confluence of the Mississipi and Minnesota rivers mingle their ropy darkness.