Recreation

A 12 target archery range with yard markers and shooting stands is located near the Equestrian Center at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The range is open year round weather permitting.  Archery hunting for deer, turkey, and small game during designated seasons is available at the Long Lake Conservation Area.

Tune up your bike and hit the trails in one of our parks including Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Pine Point Regional Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

Washington County has several motorized boat launches. Access to all boat launches is included with a Washington County Parks vehicle permit. No launching is allowed if there are no current open trailer parking spaces, even to just drop-in. The St. Croix Bluffs Boat Launch is only suited for boats 19 feet or shorter, and is closed in the winter once snowfall occurs due to the steep slope of the hill.

Learn more about Camping.

Washington County offers two beautiful campgrounds for a relaxing getaway, one located within Lake Elmo Park Reserve and the other within St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Find a campsite that suits your needs, from sites with electric and water hook-ups, to group sites, to rustic hike-in sites. Enjoy all the other amenities the parks have to offer, including hiking, fishing, boating, and more.

A canoe/kayak launch access is available at:

• Big Marine Park Reserve.
• Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park.
• Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
• Point Douglas Park.
• Square Lake County Park.
• St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

Park visitors can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from their smartphone or other online device. These rental stations, known as iPaddlePorts, offer a contactless outdoor adventure at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Square Lake County Park. Visit the equipment rentals page for more information and how to reserve.

Cross country skiing is a great way to stay active in the winter months. Washington County grooms ski trails when conditions allow at Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Pine Point Regional Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. 

Skiers must purchase a Washington County ski pass online, at a pay station, or at a park office.

Nordic Rocks Ski rentals (PDF) are also available at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park and Lake Elmo Park Reserve. These introductory level cross country skis come in youth and adult size and are worn over a traditional winter boot. Adjustable poles are included in the rental. Find more information at Equipment Rentals.

Nordic Rocks Skis provided by grant funding through NSSTC.

Foraging means collecting wild resources such as plants, fungi, nuts, and berries. People have been practicing for centuries as a way to get food. Today, foraging remains a valuable practice across cultures to connect with nature and be self-sufficient.

Learn more about foraging in Washington County Parks.

Fishing piers are available at Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Point Douglas Park, and Square Lake County Park. Fishing pole loaners are available through the MN DNR FIN Program at select locations and the park offices.

Visit a geocache app or website to hide and seek caches at specific locations marked by coordinates within the parks. Geocaching is available in all of our parks.

Hiking is a great way to explore the vast nature in our parks. 

Hiking can be done at Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Pine Point Regional Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

Equestrian trails are available to enjoy at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Pine Point Regional Park.

Paved trails provide a perfect surface for walking, running, biking, in-line skating, and more.

Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Pine Point Regional Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park all provide paved trails.

Find downloadable trail maps.

Mountain bike trails are available in Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Pine Point Regional Park.

Orienteering is a great way to explore Lake Elmo Park Reserve. All you will need is a map and a compass. Three different levels of orienteering courses traverse the park and originate at the Eagle Point trailhead parking lot. Maps are available for purchase at the Lake Elmo Park office.

Enjoy a bite to eat while taking in the beautiful scenery of one of our parks. Picnic areas are available at Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Point Douglas Park, Square Lake County Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

Playing free in the outdoors is one of the greatest joys of childhood. Washington County Parks provide play structures at Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve. and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park to keep youngsters moving and intrigued for hours of play.

Grab your furry friend and try out this winter sport at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, or Pine Point Regional Park.

Stay active in the winter months by snowshoeing in one of our scenic parks. Snowshoeing is offered at Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Pine Point Regional Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Rentals are available at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

Learn more about swimming beaches.

Sandy beaches are available at Big Marine Park Reserve, Point Douglas Park, Square Lake County Park, and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

A man-made two-acre swim pond that s chlorinated and filtered is also available at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.