Washington County Parks Quarterly Update

Venture outdoors this winter and enjoy the crisp, cool air in Washington County Parks! There are an abundance of activities and programs coming up this season for you to enjoy. Hit the ski trails, attend a program or event, or rent some snowshoes to explore your favorite trail. There really is something for everyone to try!

Kick off this New Year with a Goal: Enjoy our Local Park Improvements

Late this fall, we Washington County homeowners opened our annual property tax notices for 2026—never anyone’s favorite mail. Tucked inside was an interesting insert: “Facts About Your 2026 County Property Taxes,” which breaks down where your tax dollar goes. In case you missed it, here’s the headline: for every dollar you pay, about 20 cents funds county services, spread across 12 different community programs.

When you calculate 20 percent of your property taxes, it can feel like a lot. But once you get into the weeds—like we do on the Parks and Open Space Commission—you quickly see how most projects are not funded by property taxes alone. Think of it as a 20-year-old Minnesotan piecing together money for her first used car: part hard-earned savings, part opinionated family help, part mysterious envelope from Grandma, and part creative negotiating that the vehicle will indeed start in January.

Here’s what that approach made possible this past year for our Parks and Open Space system:

Lake Elmo Play Structure: $1.75M from state Park Modernization and Legacy funds (funded through the state of Minnesota).
Lake Elmo Contact Station: $250K from the American Rescue Plan Act (funded through the federal government).
St. Croix Bluffs Hilltop Improvements: $2.25M from state Park Modernization and Legacy funds, plus Metropolitan Council bonds and an equity grant (funded through the state of Minnesota).
St. Croix Bluffs River Trail: $129K from Clean Water Funds (funded through state of Minnesota) and Transmission Line Tax funds (local utility tax).
Square Lake Park Improvements: $1.3M from state Park Modernization and Legacy funds, Metropolitan Council bonds, the Transportation Advancement Account, and Clean Water Funds (funded through the state of Minnesota).

The takeaway? The improvements you see in our parks and open spaces are because of smart, resourceful Washington County staff who know how to leverage grants, partnerships, and outside funding to stretch every dollar—and keep taxes in check.

That fiscal discipline is why Washington County is one of just five counties in Minnesota (and 87 nationwide) to earn a triple-A credit rating from two rating agencies, and why our county tax levy remains the third lowest in the state.

So yes, taxes are painful — but in this case, it’s hard not to call it money well spent. To kick off this New Year, make a goal to enjoy our local park improvements. You played a part in making them happen!

Article courtesy of Parks and Open Space Commission Chair, Anne Siess.

Graphic of a camper with text that says 2026 Campground Reservation Changes

Campground Reservation System Updates

Washington County Parks is updating its campground reservation system for the 2026 season to make booking easier, more accommodating, and fairer.

What’s changing:

Instead of opening all reservations on a single day in January, sites will now be available on a rolling basis.
Campsite reservations will open 120 days before the campers’ desired arrival date.

How it works:

Reservations for the first day of the 2026 camping season, April 24, 2026, will open Dec. 26, 2025.
Reservations will continue to open up 120 days before the arrival date. For example, to camp Memorial Day Weekend with an arrival date of Friday, May 22, 2026, reservations will open on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

Why the change:

In past years, all reservations opened on one day in January, which caused heavy website traffic, errors, and frustration for campers. The new rolling system spreads bookings throughout the year, giving campers more flexibility and a better chance to reserve sites as they make their plans. The process of booking the site remains the same and can be done by visiting the reservation site beginning Dec 26, 2025 or by calling one of the park offices beginning January 2, 2026.

Summer Day Camp Registration Opens February 2

Washington County Parks is excited to be offering Summer Day Camps again in 2026 providing a fun, healthy, and safe experience for your child. Two camps will be offered, Outdoor Skills for children entering grades 1-3 and Survivor Camp for children entering grades 4-6. Space is limited, so be sure to register right away!

Someone skiing on a winter trail with text that says "Washington County SKI PASSES are available for purchase online, at pay stations or at park offices."

Washington County Parks Ski Pass

Remember to purchase your Washington County Parks Ski Pass! 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 are also available at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. These introductory level cross country skis come in youth and adult size and are worn over a traditional winter boot. As part of the rental package, standard poles are included.

Snowshoe Rentals

Snowshoe rentals are available at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Regional Park and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. 3-hour rentals are $10/adult, $5/child.

Free Tuesdays

On the first Tuesday (non-holiday) of every month, visit any Washington County Park for FREE. No vehicle permit required. Dates that are free to enter this winter include:

Tuesday, January 6
Tuesday, February 3
Tuesday, March 3

Share the Trails: Winter Trail Etiquette 101

Not all modes of transportation are allowed on all trails, so make sure your allowed to use your chosen activity before heading out. Call the park offices or visit our website to see our winter trail maps.

Guidelines for Cross Country Skiers

Travel in the right direction.
Know who has the right of way.
Fix your divots: Falls happen, but what’s important, aside from you being okay, is fixing any divots or dents you may have left in the snow from your fall. Other skiers rely on those tracks and a missing segment may cause others to crash. Use the loose snow from your fall to fill in the holes and smooth the surface. If the divot is in the tracks, use your skis to press down loose snow.

Guidelines for Snowshoers

Stay out of ski tracks.
Yield the trail: Uphill travelers have the right of way. Make sure to move off the trail when you need a break. If you are on a multi-use trail, make sure to keep an ear open to hear for other users who may be behind you.
Snowshoeing is allowed on multi-use trails but please stay off ski trails.

Guidelines for Fat Tire Bikers

Never ride on ski tracks. If you’re riding on a groomed trail, where fat tire bikes are permitted, stay in the middle of the open groomed run, and never ride across the ski tracks.
If your bike is sinking, call it a day. Groomed trails need time to set, and sometimes the snow is too soft for a decent ride. If you lowered your tire pressure but are still sinking, come back and try another day.
Yield to others. Fat tire bikers yield to all other users on a multiuse trail, like the etiquette that is used for bikers’ other times in the year.
Fat tire biking is allowed on multi-use trails but please stay off ski trails.

Graphic that says Winter Maker's Market in the Ravine.

For more information or to view the full calendar of Parks events, please visit our website.

Friday, January 2 - Full Moon New Years Hike

6 p.m.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Eagle Point Trailhead

Tuesday, January 6 - Free Park Entry Day

Visit any Washington County Park for FREE, no vehicle permit required.

Saturday, January 10 - Bird Hike

9 - 10:30 a.m.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Nordic Center

Saturday, January 17 - Winter Maker's Market in the Ravine

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park - Ravine Landing

Friday, January 23 - Winter Constellations

6:30 - 8 p.m.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Nordic Center, reservations required.

Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24 - Winter Clothing Swap

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Washington County Historic Courthouse

Tuesday, February 3 - Free Park Entry Day

Visit any Washington County Park for FREE, no vehicle permit required.

Saturday, February 14 - Bird Hike

9 - 10:30 a.m.
Pine Point Regional Park - Trailhead Kiosk

Saturday, February 14 - Blizzard Bash

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park

Tuesday, March 3 - Free Park Entry Tuesday

Visit any Washington County Park for FREE, no vehicle permit required.

Saturday, March 14 - Bird Hike

9 - 10:30 a.m.
Big Marine Park Reserve - Playground Parking Lot

To sign up for a volunteer opportunity or to learn more, please fill out a volunteer interest form.

Continuous – Photography Volunteer

We love seeing your photos of our parks. Help us expand our collection of images to be used on social media and other promo materials and get volunteer hours for going out and taking pictures.

Washington County Parks will begin accepting applications for seasonal positions including Lifeguards, Beach Coordinators, and Outdoor Recreation Instructors in mid-January.

Please visit our website to learn more about these positions and apply!

Photo of a staff member helping a member of the public.

Your time, talents, and generosity can help greatly maintain the natural areas, improve trails and amenities, provide valuable education to youth, and so much more! To sign up for a volunteer opportunity or to learn more, please fill out our newly launched volunteer interest form.

Programs, Volunteer, Nature-Based Donations

Donations are used to provide nature-based programs to children or help purchase materials for Eagle Scouts and Silver Award Scout projects. Your suggested $25 donation will help with programming efforts in the parks.

Donations can now be made online or by submitting a tax-deductible donation form.