Fort Snelling State Park

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Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, this park offers extensive hiking, bike and ski trails that link to Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Canoe on Gun Club Lake, play golf, swim in Snelling Lake, or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers converge. Interpretive exhibits and films on display in the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center give visitors a good background on the history and resources of the park and area. Trails also allow visitors to hike up to the historic Fort Snelling for a view of military life in the 1820s. This is a day-use only park; no camping is available.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.

Visitor Alert!

Construction

The trail on the west side of Snelling Lake (Woodduck trail) will be closed periodically in 2012. Beginning in April and lasting through November, there will be a construction project near the park office to accommodate an airport stormwater project. Please respect the closed signs and construction fences for your safety. See map showing closed and alternate trails .

Check this space, or call the park, for updates.

Park office:612-725-2389

Beach Alert

There will not be lifeguards on duty at the Fort Snelling State Park beach in 2012.

Park Notes

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Activities at the park:

Find all kinds of outdoor fun at this great metro park with these events at the park.

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Fort Snelling State Park.

Park Highlights

Fishing	Hiking
Dakota Memorial	Interpretive Exhibits
Bike Trails/Connections	Cross-Country Skiing

Events

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

05/26/12	Fort Snelling State Park	Birding for Beginners
05/27/12	Fort Snelling State Park	Spring Flower Walk
06/03/12	Fort Snelling State Park	Becoming an Outdoors Woman - Fly-fishing Days
06/08/12	Fort Snelling State Park	I Can Fish - Fishing Fridays!
06/10/12	Fort Snelling State Park	Go-N-Seine
06/15/12	Fort Snelling State Park	I Can Fish - Fishing Fridays!
06/22/12	Fort Snelling State Park	I Can Fish - Fishing Fridays!
06/24/12	Fort Snelling State Park	Upper Post WWII Walking Tours
06/29/12	Fort Snelling State Park	I Can Fish- Fishing Fridays!
07/06/12	Fort Snelling State Park	I Can Fish - Fishing Fridays
07/07/12	Fort Snelling State Park	Summer Flower walk
07/13/12	Fort Snelling State Park	I Can Fish- Fishing Fridays
07/14/12	Minnesota Valley State Trail - Shakopee	Shift Gears Saturdays - Bicycle Program series

Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Daily, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Park is open year-round, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Contact

101 Snelling Lake Road
St. Paul, MN 55111

tel: 612-725-2389 or Visitor Center: 612-725-2724

fax: 612-725-2391

email: fortsnelling.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

Fort Snelling State Park is located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just west of the main terminal exit for the International Airport.