Why You Should Go...

Fort Snelling State Park is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Situated near Historic Fort Snelling, located adjacent to the Twin Cities International Airport and ranks as one of Minnesota's top 10 tourist attractions, with an average of over 400,000 visitors.

This large state park opened in 1962 and helps to conserve open space and wildlife in the heavily-populated metropolitan area. Seven major paved bike trails link the park with the surrounding suburbs and cities. Take advantage of 18 miles of hiking trails, five miles of biking trails, snowshoe and canoe rentals, picnicking, fishing, boating, and swimming.

Winter activities abound as well. Explore 12 miles of groomed and tracked ski trails, six miles of trail packed for multiple uses, and dog sledding and skijoring is permitted on seven miles of trail on the Dakota County side of the park.

Why You Should Go...

Fort Snelling State Park is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Situated near Historic Fort Snelling, located adjacent to the Twin Cities International Airport and ranks as one of Minnesota's top 10 tourist attractions, with an average of over 400,000 visitors.

This large state park opened in 1962 and helps to conserve open space and wildlife in the heavily-populated metropolitan area. Seven major paved bike trails link the park with the surrounding suburbs and cities. Take advantage of 18 miles of hiking trails, five miles of biking trails, snowshoe and canoe rentals, picnicking, fishing, boating, and swimming.

Winter activities abound as well. Explore 12 miles of groomed and tracked ski trails, six miles of trail packed for multiple uses, and dog sledding and skijoring is permitted on seven miles of trail on the Dakota County side of the park.

What You Should Know...

Open: Year-Round

Cost: Less than $25

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

Parking: Free On-site, Bicycle

Minnesota residents can fish for free at Snelling Lake and most other water bodies located entirely within state park boundaries. Fishing kits—including a rod, a reel and a selection of artificial lures—can be checked out for free from the park office.

Explore Fort Snelling State Park by geocaching. GPS units are free during your visit to the park and are available at the Visitor Center.

The park's centrally located bike trails connect to the 53-mile long Grand Rounds Scenic Bikeway at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and the Dakota County Big Rivers Regional Trail. In the summer months, Nice Ride bike rentals are available at the Visitor Center.

Fort Snelling State Park is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. The Dakota called this place Ha-Ha Mdo-Te which translates to "junction of two rivers" and from which the town of Mendota got its name.

The park is adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, so wildlife is plentiful along the rivers and hiking trails.

Heated trail shelters are available at Picnic Shelter A and the park's Visitor Center. Drinking water and toilets are available year-round.