12 Great Twin Cities Parks for Cross-Country Skiing

12 Great Parks Around the Twin Cities

Lebanon Hills Regional Park – Eagan

• Lebanon Hills is one of my favorite Twin Cities parks. It’s huge with tall beautiful trees and sparkling lakes. Parking is free and it’s easy to get away from the crowds and find quiet. Lebanon Hills has nearly 15 miles of trails that dip into the trees and wrap around the lakes. There are several parking lots, so make sure you coordinate where you’re meeting friends. Also, you can rent skis at the visitor center which is at 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. Check out my blog post on hiking at Lebanon Hills.
• Pass Required: Dakota County Cross Country Ski Pass
• Rentals Available: Yes

Hyland Lake Park Reserve – Bloomington

• At the Hyland Park Reserve you’ll find nearly 10 miles of groomed cross country ski trails. I love this park and have been here many times to hike in warmer weather. The trails wind through prairies, heavily wooded sections and around small lakes. They also offer five miles of lit trails for nighttime skiing.
• Pass Required: Three Rivers Park Pass
• Rentals Available: Yes

Elm Creek Park Reserve – Maple Grove

• Elm Creek Park Reserve has more than 11 miles of groomed trails. 3.5 miles are lit for nighttime skiing.
• Pass: Three Rivers Park Pass
• Rentals Available: Yes 

Baker Park Reserve – Maple Plain

• Baker Park Reserve has nine miles of trails that cut through meadows, trees and lakes. The trails wind around and connect to each other so you can determine the distance you’re willing to go.
• Pass required: Three Rivers Park Pass
• Rentals Available: Yes

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve – Savage

• Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve offers 9 miles of groomed trails. This park is for the more advanced skier as there are steep hills and challenging trails.
• Pass Required: Three Rivers Park Pass
• Rentals Available: No

Fort Snelling State Park – St. Paul

• Fort Snelling is just a few miles west of downtown St. Paul. This great park offers 12 miles of groomed trails that run along the Mississippi River. For a beautiful view, ski around Pike Island, where you’ll see the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Read my post on Pike Island here. It’s especially stunning with fall colors in October.
• Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass
• Rentals Available: No

Theodore Wirth Park – Minneapolis

• The Theodore Wirth Park is just two miles from downtown Minneapolis. With over 15 miles of groomed trails you can ski through forests and across frozen lakes. This is a great spot for skiers of all levels because this park has steep hills as well as flat trails.
• Pass: Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Ski Trail Pass
• Rentals Available: Yes

Lake Harriet – Minneapolis

• There are trails that run around sections Lake Harriet. I prefer to ski on the frozen lake because it’s super wide and open and I can take my dog without worrying about passing other people too closely. He loves to say hello and greet others, and if I’m on skis I can’t control him as well.
• Pass: No, parking is free and it’s free to ski on and around the lake.
• Rentals: No

Afton State Park – Hastings

• Afton State Park offers 18 miles of cross country ski trails along the St. Croix River, as well as a great mountain for downhill skiing!
• Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass
• Rentals Available: No

Como Park Ski Center/Golf Course – St. Paul

• The Como Golf Course offers groomed trails for cross country skiers of all levels. Certain sections of the trail are lit as well.
• Pass Required: No
• Rentals Available: Yes

Tamarack Nature Center – White Bear Township

• Tamarack Nature Center offers three miles of cross country ski trails through prairie, marshland and trees.
• Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass
• Rentals Available: No

Bunker Hills Regional Park – Coon Rapids

• Bunker Hills Regional Park offers over 12 miles of slightly hilly terrain trail loops.
• Pass Required: State of Minnesota cross-country ski trail pass
• Rentals Available: Yes