A kayaker in a red life jacket paddles across a lake on a summer day.

Things To Do

Get the Play of the Land

From swim beaches, boat launches and more, see what's open, what's closed and what requires a pass in Three Rivers.

What's Open in Three Rivers

See what's open before you go

From swim beaches, boat launches and more, see what's open, what's closed and what requires a pass in Three Rivers.

A young person wearing a life jacket crouches on a dock while securing a rope to a red motorized boat tied alongside.

Things To Do

Thirty ways to get outside

Every activity links to its full page — where to go, what to bring, and what requires a pass.

A woman aims a bow and arrow at a target.

Archery

Stationary ranges offer targets at a variety of distances, as well as a shooting tower. You can also test your marksmanship with a walk-through range featuring multiple shooting stations.

Learn more

a woman making pottery on a wheel.

Art Education

Silverwood Park and Gale Woods Farm offer nature-inspired art programs for children and adults.

Learn more

Two women bike over a bridge.

Biking

Biking in Three Rivers is a great way to get the whole family outside. Whether you’re the casual rider or a cyclist in training, you’ll appreciate more than 240 miles of off-roadway bike/hike trails that wind through woodlands and grasslands and rim the shorelines of lakes and ponds at our parks.

Learn more

Two adults fish from a small motor boat on an urban lake. There is lake grass in the background, with an orange buoy sitting amongst the plants.

Boating

Three Rivers offers plenty of boating opportunities with over 30 lakes, rivers and streams. With lake access points and trailer parking sites, it’s easy to get the family out on the water to enjoy the ultimate Minnesota pastime.

Learn more

Camping tent and fire

Camping

Experience the joy of camping close to home with Three Rivers as you spend nights at our traditional campsites, group camping areas, a bike-in site, a horse camp or camper cabins, including ADA accessible options.

Learn more

Two women cross-country ski on a sunny day.

Cross-country Skiing

Three Rivers features 80 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails at various locations. Trails are available for skiers of all skill levels. Don't forget to check trail conditions before you head out.

Learn more

A boy aims a disc at a disc golf golf basket.

Disc Golf

Combine the fun of throwing a flying disc with the challenge of golf, and you get disc golf. This activity is fun for participants of almost any age and ability. Enjoy a day on the course at:

Learn more

A dog without a leash stands in an open area.

Dog Off-leash

Off-leash areas are designated sites where dogs are given the freedom to run and interact with other dogs. Parks at Three Rivers have both fenced and unfenced off-leash areas where you can let your dog run while you enjoy the scenic surroundings and meet other owners.

Learn more

A man walks two dogs on leashes on a paved trail.

Dog Trails

Three Rivers offers abundant scenery for you and your dog to enjoy year round, with paved, turf, regional and skijoring/dog sledding trails that are dog-friendly. Dogs must be on a six-foot non-retractable leash unless in a designated dog off-leash area. Owners must pick-up after their dogs.

Learn more

Skier mule kicking in the air

Downhill & Telemark Skiing

Hyland Hills Ski Area and the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek offer downhill ski areas for all skill levels, from training hills to Olympic-level training jumps. The downhill ski areas feature snowmaking and well-groomed hills for unbeatable winter fun.

Learn more

A young girl waters plants in a greenhouse.

Educational Farming

At Three Rivers, those who might not have an opportunity to see the ins and outs of a real working farm get a chance to learn where their food comes from, meet some animals and explore farm life at Gale Woods.

Learn more

A man and his son fish from the shore of a lake.

Fishing

Throw a line for your own catch of the day. In Three Rivers, you might reel in muskie, northern pike, sunfish, bass or even walleye.

Learn more

View of garden columns

Formal Gardens

Take in the beauty of the colorful blooms. Smell the sweet, fragrant flowers. Breathe in the fresh air. Relax to the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Our formal gardens at Noerenberg are meticulously maintained to offer visitors a spot of breathtaking beauty and serenity.

Learn more

Two girls using a GPS unit

Geocaching

Geocaching is a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure.

Learn more

Golfer taking a swing

Golfing

Three Rivers operates 72 holes of golf with driving ranges across the Twin Cities metro area. With scenic courses designed to challenge all levels of ability, you won't have to drive far to get your fix. Come practice your swing or round up a foursome and play a friendly round at one of our six locations:

Learn more

A turf trail passes by a sign that says

Hiking

One of the best ways to explore year-round is to head out for a hike on the extensive trail system in Three Rivers. Trails wind through the woodland, grassland and wetland habitats of many species of wildlife. You’ll be amazed at what you might see along the way.

Learn more

a yellow brick farmhouse with a memorial boulder in front of it.

History Exploration

Have you ever wondered what life was like for the people who lived here before us? Step back in time and discover their stories through the historic sites of the Grimm Farm, Noerenberg Gardens, the Historic Pierre Bottineau House, and The Landing. Evidence within the parks tells how people have lived, worked and played here for over 12,000 years.

Learn more

a person on a horse

Horseback Riding

If you have a horse and are looking for a place to ride, Three Rivers has miles of scenic horse trails to choose from. Natural woodlands and grasslands provide a beautiful setting for horseback riders.

Learn more

A mountain biker rides on a dirt path through tall grasses.

Mountain Biking

If you’re looking for your own adventure, give mountain biking a try in Three Rivers. There are designated mountain bike trails at Carver, Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca and Murphy-Hanrehan parks and other paved bike/hike trails of varying terrain and difficulty for mountain bikers of any skill level.

Learn more

A naturalist shows a jar of pond water to a young boy.

Nature Education

If you want to get up close and personal or learn a little more, visit Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and Eastman, Lowry or Richardson nature centers. You can hike the trails, interact with seasonal exhibits, observe the unique characteristics of different wildlife species up close, conduct your own science experiment and meet a live animal.

Learn more

Three people kayaking on a lake.

Paddling

Recreate on the water with canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Get exercise and fresh air while you explore the shorelines and bays where motorized boats can’t go. Need a boat? Three Rivers offers canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddleboat and stand-up paddleboard rentals at several parks.

Learn more

multi-generational family at a picnic table

Picnic Areas

Make new memories eating al fresco at a Three Rivers park picnic area in a beautiful, natural setting. All sites have picnic tables, and most sites have other basic amenities including water fountains and permanent grills. Look for a peaceful, serene location or set up just steps from a rip-roaring play area.

Learn more

Colorful play area with slides and climbing strutures

Play Areas

Create new memories at our play areas. Three Rivers has multiple areas designed for varying ages and abilities where toddlers to teens can let their imagination run wild. Monkey business never sounded so fun.

Learn more

Women on skis with dog pulling

Skijoring & Dog Sledding

If you have a dog with some pent-up winter energy, bring it to Three Rivers Parks for fun exercise where we have designated trails for skijoring and dog sledding.

Learn more

girl sledding on her stomach with her arms extended like an airplane

Sledding

It’s easy to feel like a kid again in Three Rivers, where you'll find some of the best sledding hills in town. Just bundle up and grab a sled for hours of exhilarating fun.

Learn more

A snowboarder rides over a pipe feature. Several others snowboarders are behind him.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is just one more way you can enjoy the wintry Minnesota outdoors. From group or private lessons to equipment rental to impeccably groomed hills for every skill level, the Hyland Hills Ski Area and the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek have everything you need to carve up the slopes.

Learn more

Snowmobilers on wooded trail

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is permitted at Three Rivers Park District in order to provide links in state Grants-in-Aid snowmobile trails within Baker, Carver, Crow-Hassan, Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserves.

Learn more

four people snowshoeing on a sunny day.

Snowshoeing

Three Rivers offers trails of varying difficulty for snowshoers of all skill levels. It’s a great way for the entire family to take in the scenes of a Minnesota winter.

Learn more

two girls swimming

Swimming

Swimming beaches in Three Rivers are located near play areas, trails, visitor centers and campgrounds, so you can make a day of it.

Learn more

Children waiting at the top of the tubing hill

Snow Tubing

If you like sledding, you’ll love snow tubing at the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek.

Learn more

New Reservation & Registration System

Rent, register, reserve and purchase — in one place

We have launched a new reservation and registration system to enhance your online experience with a more visual and user-friendly process.

Through our new system, you can continue to:

  • Rent equipment
  • Register for programs
  • Reserve spaces
  • Purchase passes

Learn about the new system, including how to access your account, what happens to previously purchased passes and more.

A prairie field with yellow wildflowers and blue skies in the background.

2026 Summer Camps

Claim your spot before they fill up!

Warm weather is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to start planning for summer fun! Summer camp registration is now open.