Trying to be more intentional about exploring parks around Minneapolis this year, and Hidden Falls…read moreseemed like the perfect place to start. We usually default to Minnehaha Falls across the river, but I'd never actually explored this side--which looks to be really sprawling with new townhomes and modular single family homes. We parked near the dam and walked along the trail to reach the stairs leading down to Hidden Falls. Heads up: the walk down is a little precarious since there's no railing for most of the stairs, but it's not very steep and the trek itself is pretty short. The falls themselves were a bit disappointing at the moment--more of a trickle than a waterfall--but it is early in the season. That said, the forested park area it winds through was really nice, and made the visit worth it regardless. I can already tell this place is probably stunning in the summer when everything is green and flowing! Even with the lower water level, it was a great way to explore somewhere new and great to see there were so many people already exploring the park with it being chilly still!

Beautiful park near the city. Grabbed some take out and found an empty picnic table in the middle…read moreof the day - lots of parking! Watched a few boats launch, saw some geese, enjoyed watching people along the shore. Picnic tables near the water at the North Entrance. Check it out!

Was in the area as we are in the market to buy a home, and any home we buy needs to be close by to…read morea public park! So before my scheduled tour time, I came here to scope it out. The road the park is off of, Butler Avenue , is extremely busy for a little two-lane road (everyone apparently uses it to get to highway 52), but once you pull in, it's like a sigh of relief. Nice big parking lot can accommodate lots of vehicles, if you are visiting by car. There's a big bathroom facility right there at the entrance (that's even open during the winter!) with additional tables and grills for picnicers. The lake is just a short distance away, and there's a short trail that goes all the way around it; very picturesque! Additional trails will take you through more landscape and trees (all paved and in great condition), and even over highway 52 into the adjacent park (Kaposia) and further to Simon's Ravine Trailhead, if you're up to it! Truly excellent to have the option to really stretch your legs and go some distance. If you're not here for hiking, there's also an impressively-sized kiddie park that's modern and has some fun unique play structures. (Legit, I wanted to go play on it and I'm 38 1/2.) I think it might've included a small splash pad, but I couldn't be certain in the winter. I spotted some tables with built-in chess/checkers boards, as well as some additional picnic tables. A pier that extends into the lake for fishers. By the kid park there's another large building with external-facing restrooms, and the building itself looks like it gets used for classes or something if you're there at the right season. Seriously, what a great resource for the neighboring communities! If I do move nearby, this would be an excellent spot to be able to relax, play, and exercise.

Spacious park with walking trails, playground, fishing dock, senior center, and a pavilion. Tons of…read morespace to grill and picnic

We recently moved from NY and we're loving the Park system in St. Paul. This park has everything…read moreyou could want: a decent sized lake great for walks, tons of tables for picnicking, areas you can reserve for functions, and a playground so fun I've been known to bring my daughter just so I can spin on that spinning thing and remind myself how old I am.

Great walking paths and clean pavilions! Lots of wedding happen here in there large event center…read more Great paths into Kaposia

It's a bit confusing where to park... I know Apple maps randomly took me to the boat ramp parking…read moreafter passing by two other perfectly good small parking lots that connected to the trail. Which, since I wanted to just hike around in the autumn sunshine, I turned my car around and went back to. There was a port-a-john in the lot I parked in, which I appreciated. A little ways walk I also located a large gazebo-like structure with picnic tables. Didn't seem to have restrooms and the water fountain had already been turned off for the cold season. The trail is paved all the way around, which I suppose is nice for bicyclists, but not what I'd prefer as a hiker as it is hard on the feet and doesn't feel very nature-y. I also thought that in late October, this spot would be gorgeous, but for whatever reason all the trees had either already shed their leaves or were just kind of a sickly yellow color. Oh well. It was neat hiking along the river on either side; plus I got to watch a train go over the tresses on the north end. Not a super long walk, maybe an hour's worth if you go all the way around. Oh, there's also a small fenced-off section serving as a "dog park" but it didn't look very appealing or well-maintained... Also, people who drive their cars through here seem to want to speed above the limit... which is like weird because why not cruise and enjoy the scenery? Plus, the trail crosses the road in numerous places, so if you're speeding, you're more liable to hit someone. =/ It just doesn't feel well designed.

When my boys were little they attended a fossil camp that visited Lilydale for fossil hunting. The…read moreboys are teenagers and they still fossil hunt. Nice paved parking lot, wide walking path. We follow the path and walk up the big hill. Near the top of the hill to the left is the premiere location for fossils. Usually the boys hunt while the rest of us continue up the path taking in the nature. Great little get away during Covid.

We did an Urban Sketching event at this park. We were there to sketch the paper machete Mexican…read moresculptures. So colorful and lively. I was surprised at how many people were walking about enjoying this artwork. I parked off the island and walked over the bridge. Didn't realize there was parking right on the island. Either way, the walk was not an issue and the parking limit was 4 hours off the island so plenty of time. Definitely worth a trip to check out this outdoor exhibit.

This great little park on a small island in the middle of the Mississippi river offers, grave view…read moreof the magnificent river, and some easy walks around the island for relaxation. To get here, you have to come to the middle part of the Wabasha St. Bridge, and then come down the spiral staircases. Great photo opportunities all around the island. If you go north across the bridge, you will reach downtown Saint Paul, where there is a number of restaurants; to the south there is also a number of small eateries. So nice place to spend half a day with nature, but not going too far from the city. A great destination for out-of-town visitors to get a glimpse of the magnificent Mississippi river within walking distance from downtown Saint Paul. There are a few spots that look like they can use some cleaning and landscaping, but hey, it's a free public park!

Best skatepark in the metro! Amazing people, great vibe, beautiful lake, spots to grill, grass area…read moreto play games and stuff. Overall my favorite place.

I love this place e is so peaceful Perfect to come late and…read moretake your time and chill

The park is fairly quiet in the evening. Catch the sun setting, it's gorgeous. It's the perfect…read moresunset stroll if you're looking for a picture op.

What a lovely hidden gem off of Mississippi River Blvd. We…read morefollowed the path up and around the waterfall. We hiked out near the Summit Monument where we hung out looking over the river. Nice place to check out for a short hike.

Great shorter hike with some steep slick parts but we had a heavy rain last night and still very…read moredoable. One thing I'd mention that I hadn't read much about was that the poison ivy was pervasive, jutting into the path even in areas that we wouldn't have considered the paths to be overgrown. We opted to stay on the paved path until we got to the most direct path down to the falls. I used the map and route marked on Daytripper28.com's website. Enjoy!

This is a neighborhood park. Where kids can come to play or you can just sit in the shade…read more There are so many parks in in area dedicated to the people who made the neighborhood. This one is for the Mayor of Selby Ave. You can see a dedication to him on entering the park. As a kid the best thing ever was to be able to run into a park and play. As a parent I just want to be able to see her. This park has everything a city park should.

Small, quiet park. Nice area with benches, sculptures, and pretty landscaping. Free parking all…read morearound. Nice views of Saint Paul.

In the 1880's this site used to be a hotel. It burned to the ground, but before it did, can you…read moreimagine the views? Not too hard to imagine, because you can walk to the ledge over Grand Hill and look down at the river, the bluffs, the bridges and trees and wonder if they look back. The park has been all kinds of tore up for some time as they installed a GIANT statue of an eagle killing a snake, some grand gesture of Americaness or some such that was salvaged from some razed building in St. Paul then moved to a parking garage and then moved to the park for us to enjoy. There will be seating wall, a "plaza" and a drinking fountain, and hopefully coming this spring....GRASS.