Fort Snelling State Park For hundreds of years before Europeans arrived, generations of Dakota people lived in villages along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers that meet in Fort Snelling State Park. The river confluence was believed to be the place of origin and center of the earth by the bands of Mde-wa-kan-ton-wan Dakota, the "Dwellers by Mystic Lake." By the late 1600s, Europeans had visited the area. In the 1820s, historic Fort Snelling was built on the bluff above the two historic rivers to control the exploration, trade, and settlement on these waterways. The area was established as a state park in 1962. The swimming beach, added in 1970, remains a popular recreation attraction in the park. In 1997, a new visitor center opened to the public.  Fort Snelling State Park offers extensive hiking, bike and ski trails that link to Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can canoe on Gun Club Lake, play golf, swim in Snelling Lake, or hike on Pike Island. 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. The Park sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Minnesota Rivers, and it sits at the convergence of two great cities as well. Surrounded by the skyscrapers and freeways of Minneapolis and St. Paul, this 2,931-acre state park preserves a portion of wild land for recreation and wildlife. Its wide, easy trails wander through a riverine environment of large cottonwood, silver maple, ash, and willow that shelter you-at least temporarily-from the bustle of city life. History buffs should take special note of this area, as the region boasts a unique past that is highlighted throughout the park. Pike Island was created from sediment carried and deposited by the two great rivers. Prone to flooding, no permanent structures have been established on Pike Island. Tucked into the river valley surrounded by cottonwoods, slow-moving water, and high river bluffs, the park is a haven from the city, which sits unseen high above on the top of the bluffs.
State Park - General Information
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Fort Snelling State Park is located near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The entrance is at the junction of Highway 5 and Post Road. (See the Map.)
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| Mailing Address: | 101 Snelling Lake Road,St. Paul, MN 55111 | Map it!  | | Administration Office: | (612) 725-2389, Fax: (612) 725-2391 | | Visitor Center: | (612) 725-2724 |
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Fort Snelling State Park is a day-use park open year-round. The visitor center nature store is open from 8 am to 4 pm, with special hours during the summer months.
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The annual Minnesota State Park permit is valid for a full year from the month of purchase. Own a second car? You can receive a discount on the second vehicle permit. Annual permits can be purchased at Park entrance: $25 Annual vehicle permit, $18 Second vehicle permit, $12 Special permit - available for those with a State of Minnesota handicapped license plate, or $20 Motorcycle permit (This permit fits in a wallet; it is not a windshield sticker).?By purchasing a state park permit you help maintain and improve the natural resources, facilities, education and outreach programs that make Minnesota's state parks among the best in the nation. Thank you for supporting Minnesota State Parks!
State Park - Year Round at the Park
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Naturalist programsare available year-round in the state Park. Snowshoe making, Maple syrup making, learning about frogs, winter tracks, American Indian history, archaeology, and many more programs are offered. They are usually free, but a few have a small fee for materials or equipment. Check our Calendar of Events for announcements of these excellent family programs.
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Geo-caching is always available in the park. Eleven GPS units are available at the Visitor Center.
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Birdwatching is outstanding in the park, particularly during the Spring and Fall migrations. Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Indigo Buntings, and Belted Kingfishers are just a few of the special species that can be spotted in the park. Binoculars and birdwatching kits are available at the Visitor Center. A checklist of bird species can be picked up at the Visitor Center or can be found on the DNR's website (click here).
State Park - Summer in the Park
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Summer at the park means hiking, biking, fishing and canoeing on Gun Club Lake and swimming at the beach. The park also offers excellent birdwatching, year-round naturalist programs, interpretive exhibits at its visitor center, picnic shelters, playgrounds, a nine-hole golf course, and recreation fields. Its trails connect Fort Snelling State Park to Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
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Picnic Areas are located by the Swimming Beach and on Picnic Island. Both locations are suitable for large gatherings and events. Areas include picnic tables and pedestal grills. Two picnic shelters are located on Picnic Island. Picnic Island has a road access for vehicles. Handicapped accessible.
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Picnic Shelters - both open and enclosed - are located on Picnic Island, both have electricity. The enclosed shelter has a fire pit and pedestal grill. Shelters can be reserved by calling (612) 725-2390. Both are handicapped accessible.
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Playgrounds are located by the Swimming Beach and on Picnic Island. Both locations have slides, swings and climbing apparatus.
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Volleyball can be played in the Swimming Beach area. Equipment is available for rent at the park office.
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Self-guided Trail - 1 mile: The trail connects the Historic Fort and the Visitor Center. A brochure is available at the park.
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Hiking Trails - 18 miles: Easy to moderate trails. Trails lead through wooded area and along lakes and rivers. The Pike Island Trail is approximately three miles of circular trail sandwiched between the joining points of the Mississippi River and branches of the Minnesota. Trails also connect the park with nearby historic sites. Excellent birdwatching!
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Paved Bike Trails - 5 miles: The park's centrally located bike trails connect to the 53-mile long Grand Rounds Scenic Bikeway at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis on the west side of the river, and the Dakota County Big Rivers Regional Trail on the east side of the river which also connects to downtown Saint Paul.
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Mountain Bike Trails - 10 miles: Mountain bike trails are located on the Dakota County side of the river. Inquire at park office.
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The park has lakes, wetlands, and extensive shoreline along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.Fishing is available on the rivers, Gun Club Lake, and Snelling Lake.A Fishing Pier on Snelling Lake is handicapped accessible.The Swimming Beach on Snelling Lake is handicapped accessible.Boat Access on the lakes and the Minnesota River is drive-in and carry-in.Boating Restrictions allow electric motors only, on Snelling Lake.
State Park - Winter in the Park
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In winter, outdoor recreational activities at Fort Snelling State Park include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding.
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The park has a warming house in the Thomas Savage Visitor Center. The center has a fireplace, vending machines, and flush toilets.
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Cross Country Skiing - 12 miles: Park has groomed and tracked ski trails and multiple-use packed trails.
Snowshoe Trails - Anywhere except on groomed ski trails: Snowshoers must stay off groomed ski trails.
Other Multi-Use Trails:
6 miles of trail are packed for multiple use in winter.
3 miles of packed walking trails are maintained on Pike Island.
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