Why You Should Go...

The size of Crosby Farms Regional Park, its diversity of life, many recreational opportunities, tranquil settings, and easy access makes this a popular park to escape the bustle of frenzied city life. Mostly floodplain forest, Crosby Farm Regional Park is a place to wander its many paths and bike trails, to enjoy the river and forests, and is a destination for birders, especially during fall migration.

The park contains 6.7 miles of paved trails, many of which run along the river's shoreline through wooded bottomlands or the small backwater lakes. Tails also link Crosby Farm Regional Park with Hidden Falls Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park.

The park includes amenities such as a picnic shelter, water fountains, grills, horseshoes, fire pits, a marina, fishing, and cross country ski trails. The north end of the park includes a bicycle repair kiosk.

Why You Should Go...

The size of Crosby Farms Regional Park, its diversity of life, many recreational opportunities, tranquil settings, and easy access makes this a popular park to escape the bustle of frenzied city life. Mostly floodplain forest, Crosby Farm Regional Park is a place to wander its many paths and bike trails, to enjoy the river and forests, and is a destination for birders, especially during fall migration.

The park contains 6.7 miles of paved trails, many of which run along the river's shoreline through wooded bottomlands or the small backwater lakes. Tails also link Crosby Farm Regional Park with Hidden Falls Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park.

The park includes amenities such as a picnic shelter, water fountains, grills, horseshoes, fire pits, a marina, fishing, and cross country ski trails. The north end of the park includes a bicycle repair kiosk.

What You Should Know...

Open: Year-Round

Cost: Free

Access: Wheelchair, Public Transportation, Service Animals, Pets, Bicycle

Parking: Free On-site, Street

The backwater lakes act as fish nurseries and provide opportunities to catch mostly pan fish.

Some trails may become inaccessible during high water conditions.

Thomas Crosby obtained the original 160-acre farm in 1858 and farmed it until his death in 1886. It was the largest and longest-running farm in the West End/Highland park area. Cattle, dairy cows, horses, pigs, and chickens were raised on the farm, along with crops including potatoes and apples.

The farm continued to be farmed by a succession of other families until the early 1960s, when it was obtained by the Saint Paul Port Authority and leased to the City of Saint Paul as a park.

Crosby Farms Regional Park, at 736 acres is the largest natural park in the Saint Paul system of parks and it is an important component in a string of parks that protects the biodiversity of the Mississippi River corridor through the Twin Cities.