Fort Snelling State Park is located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just west of the main terminal exit for the International Airport.
Get DirectionsAbout
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.
Take time to hike or ski out to Pike Island, the location where the mighty Mississippi and the Minnesota Rivers converge. Canoe rental, as well as a popular beach, are available on Snelling Lake. Be sure to visit the Fort Snelling State Park Visitor Center and hike up to the Historic Fort Snelling strategically located on the bluff overlooking the river valley. 18 mi of hiking trails, 5 mi biking. 24 km of mostly beginner cross-country ski trails.
Located near Mpls/St Paul Airport on Minnesota River at Post Rd and MN Hwy 5. Trail runs through river bottom forest and prairie restoration, and to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.
Hours & Dates
Year-Round
- Monday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
- Tuesday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
- Thursday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
- Sunday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
Rates
Park permits: $35 annual, $26 second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily.
More Information
Attraction Attributes
- Accessible to disabled
- Can accommodate groups of 45 or more
- Native-American heritage
Reviews
Based on 134 reviews
I registered for a dnr "I can paddle: kayaking" course at this location, then picked up my (included) vehicle day pass from the visitor center at the park entrance. I then drove down to the lake...
—
redacted2023,
February 6, 2023
Hard to believe this is nestled in the middle of an urban area. My family and I took the hiking paths out toward the confluence of the Mississippi and the Minnesota Rivers. The trail was easy and...
—
Erica F,
January 21, 2023
Lots of trails and a nice visitor center. Can climb the hill to the Fort. $7/park for the day. Plenty of park in many areas.
—
jwest,
September 25, 2022
I was here yesterday and saw many deer and fawn and racoons. Had several people park up close. Sitting in cars staring at me. Came back today another park patron informed me my tail light was out. I...
—
barneyb141,
July 23, 2022
This was our first visit and we enjoyed seeing the displays. The children and all of us enjoyed the interpreters. I appreciated that there was a Native interpreter in one of the buildings to...
—
IowaSally2012,
June 25, 2022
What's Nearby
Mentioned In
Downtown Faribault is a treasure trove of ornate brick buildings and architecture
Get an up-close view of the middle falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park / Justin Pruden
Hike to a scenic overlook of the St. Croix River at Interstate State Park / Paul Vincent
Snowshoeing along the Cascade River on Minnesota's North Shore
Fat biking in Lake County Demonstration Forest / Lovin' Lake County
Cross-country skiing's elite athletes converged at Theodore Wirth Park for the World Cup in March 2020 / Paul Vincent
Whitetail Woods in Farmington has two camper cabins open year-round / Paul Vincent
Woman hiking with dogs in Lester Park, Duluth / Alyssa Hei
All aboard for a paddle boat ride on the Mississippi River in St. Paul / Paul Vincent
Northern lights over Boulder Lake near Duluth / Jonathan Dyess
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park / Kurt Barclay, GearJunkie