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!

I brought my family to this park for their annual triathlon and the whole place is just incredible…read more Second tri ever for me, and the park offers so much for kids and families. Beautiful lake, ample parking, AWESOME playground for the littles. I only live half an hour away and I'd never been here before, but I'll be back! Always great to find a new place.

This park is a total gem! Lots of slides and things for the kiddos to climb. My 5 and 12 year old…read moreboth had fun finding the hidden animals throughout the playground. Looking forward to coming back again in the Spring!

A nice little park in front of Twin Lakes...and happens to just be in my neighborhood... I can just…read morewalk there from my patio! I love the paths and enjoy walks around the lake on a weekday evening. The area is safe, quiet, lovely and serene. I feel blessed to have this in my neighborhood.

We really liked the beach at Fish Lake! The swimming area is a decent size, not too deep, and no…read moreseaweed! We brought our own paddle board and it was a perfect lake for paddle boarding and kayaking. You can rent equipment at the beach or bring your own. The beach bathrooms are very spacious and clean, which was great to see. We are planning to return soon!

It's the perfect spot to go swimming, fishing and just chilling!…read more Would recommend to friends and fam

We love this pool. My only complaint is when teenager life guards are inconsistent with rules…read more I've seen them put a stop to harmless behavior and do nothing when a special needs child was being harassed/splashed by other children. Onto the positive...the zero entry is great for little ones. Tons of shade so you can get away with applying sunscreen less. Overall will keep going, but wish that life guards had a little better judgment on when to step in and when to let kids play.

LOVE this pool! I wish it stayed open for another week, but we're so glad we only live 1/2 mile…read moreaway - we get season passes every year

I walked the 8 miles around the lake! I started and ended at East Medicine Lake Park. It was a very…read morewell marked path that stayed close to the lake 50-60% of the time! It was fairly well shaded by trees. Approximately 3 bathroom and water opportunities. I saw a lot of new beaches and fishing points on this walk. It took 3 hours with a few stops. Overall 5/5 recommend for novice hikers!

Medicine Lake is such a lovely lake and the perfect spot for a nice stroll. A perfect visit for…read moresolitude and also a nice lake to gather with a company of friends to walk and talk! It is located less than 10 miles from Minneapolis in the suburb of Plymouth, quick getaway from the city. There are lovely parks surrounding the lake, and the paths are nicely paved connecting to Minneapolis, Maple Grove, and Minnetonka. The paths are ideal for biking, running, and a nice stroll. There's lots and lots of parking, Medicine Lake is one of my favorite lakes and I love the walking paths something one can enjoy all year long with the change of seasons, oh the colors and the fragrance! It is one of the reasons I love living in the Twin Cities. The photos below is from my walk on Sunday June 12, 2022 which was a perfect early summer day.

A very lovely, family-friendly place, with lots of activities to do there. It has a very fun and…read morelarge playground for children. The beach is also very clean and fun. You can have barbecues.

Love the free regional parks. Lots of amenities! I was just there for a hike so didn't need much…read more There is lots of parking. The bathrooms are locked in the off season, but there are porta potties. I went for a hike and it didn't disappoint. I found ducks, geese, and deer. The only weird thing is the park is designed so similarly to Hyland that it confused me a bit as far as navigating.

We wanted a spot that offered outdoor fun with a nearby city for lunch, and this park delivered!…read moreIt's huge.... offering hiking, camping, biking, swimming, and even skiing in the winter. There's always something to do no matter the season. Parking is $8, and on busy days you might wait a few minutes, but it's worth it. At the entrance, you'll get a helpful map (also available online) that shows all the trails and recreation options. We parked near the boat launch and took the 1.5-mile loop to the waterfall, a beautiful, family-friendly walk with no complaints from the kids! The waterfall itself is stunning. We kicked off our shoes, dipped our feet in the cool water, and climbed around the rocks above the falls. There are more challenging hikes if you're feeling adventurous, and it's only about 10 minutes to great Hudson riverfront dining afterward. We left smiling and saying, "That was so fun maybe we should get an annual pass!

Wow! We spontaneously stopped by to see the water falls! Cost $16 for MN plates to get in. Parking…read morewas easy! We followed the map and took the shortest walk to the falls from the "Water Falls Parking Lot". The hike there is short (maybe a mile?) but WOW those INCLINES haha. You almost immediately walk downhill at a crazy incline - crazier than I ever have haha. We were dreading the walk back up and it lived up to that dread hahaha. Personally bringing kids this way would be an absolute no go for me. Once we got to the waterfalls it was worth it! Though we were underprepared - I would've brought water, and a swim suite / towel, and shoes that can get wet! Theres so many spots to sit near or in the water! Great photo spots and it didn't feel over crowded too. If you like hikes there were many more paths leading to and from the falls. I would come in a different, longer, less inclined route to the falls from our car next time! But there will be a next time!