Hiking with Kids Open
Elm Creek Park Reserve
4.7(4,196)4.7 out of 5 stars, 4196 reviews Minneapolis, MN
About Elm Creek Park Reserve
A massive, year-round nature reserve offering an impressive variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, a giant playground, a swimming hole, and an interactive nature center with a live owl.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking diverse outdoor activities across all four seasonsDog owners looking for hiking trails and a dedicated dog parkToddlers and preschoolers (enjoying the nature center play area and playground)School-age children and teens (perfect for biking, swimming, hiking, and winter sports)
Why families love it
- Giant playground and picnic area with a swim hole
- Extensive trail system with both paved and unpaved options for hiking, biking, and horseback riding
- Dog-friendly areas, including an excellent dog park
- Interactive nature center with live animals
- Giant playground and swimming hole
- Multi-use paved and unpaved trails
Insider tips
- Study the trail maps beforehand as the biking trails can be confusing to navigate
- Bring your own skiing or snowshoeing gear to avoid rental fees
- Check the status of free areas before visiting in the winter, as some unpaid activity zones may be closed
Good to know before you go
- Biking without a map or pre-planned route due to confusing trail markings
- Expecting all winter trail activities to be free of charge
- Confusing bike trail layout with a clover-leaf design that lacks clear start and end directions
- Perceived lack of diversity among staff and visitors, creating an exclusive atmosphere for some
- Unexpected costs for winter activities, including required paid ski passes and equipment rentals when free areas are closed
- Crowds
- Can draw specific demographics and crowds during peak winter sports seasons
- Value
- The park offers great value with free access to hiking trails, the playground, and the nature center, but winter sports like skiing require paid passes and rental fees which can add up.
- Food
- Picnic areas are available, making it easy to bring your own family meals and snacks
- Accessibility
- Paved trails are available, making sections of the park stroller and wheelchair accessible
- Safety
- Paved trails provide a safer, smoother surface for young children walking or riding bikes
What parents say
"Beautiful park for walking, running, biking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and birdwatching! Paved and unpaved trails available. The nature center has a cool live owl you can visit and a special area for kids to enjoy. Many areas of the park are dog friendly, but please pick up after your pets!"
a week ago
"As a wedding photographer, shooting weddings at Elm Creek Park reserve is a treat- There aren't a ton of venues that offer such a vast amount of nature! There are so many beautiful places to photograph in this park!"
a month ago
"I wish the park had better directions for biking. Maybe have a beginning and an end. It’s like a big clover leaf. So it be nice to have them have a beginning and an end to make the most of biking."
6 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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