Lake Elmo, Minnesota offers quiet lakeside paddling, easy hiking and biking trails, and excellent bird watching. With a large park reserve and seasonal skiing, it’s a great local spot for outdoor fun and family outings.
Lake Elmo, Minnesota offers quiet lakeside paddling, easy hiking and biking trails, and excellent bird watching. With a large park reserve and seasonal skiing, it’s a great local spot for outdoor fun and family outings.
Outdoor Activities at Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Lake Elmo is a charming town in Washington County known for peaceful outdoor recreation centered around its namesake lake and surrounding park reserve. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities suitable for all seasons.
Discover the unique natural wonders, summits, and scenic landmarks that make Lake Elmo, Minnesota special.
6.59 miLake Phalen in St. Paul, Minnesota features an easy 3.1-mile paved loop trail with lakeside views and small waterfalls. Ideal for paddleboarding, hiking, and picnics, it offers family-friendly recreation with playgrounds and boat rentals. Best visited late spring through early fall.
8.59 miExplore Willow River State Park in Hudson, WI. Known for its stunning multi-tiered waterfall, enjoy hiking with family-friendly trails and wildlife viewing. Drive-in access makes it a convenient destination for spring and fall visits. Busy in summer.
7.816 miExplore fly fishing on the Nolichucky River near Knoxville, TN. Offering a peaceful experience with chances to catch brown and rainbow trout, this location is ideal for adventure seekers in spring and fall. Drive-in access keeps it accessible but not overly crowded.
6.818 miLake Hiawatha in Minneapolis offers an easy, family-friendly lake experience with calm waters ideal for paddleboarding, walking trails, and birdwatching. Located just 15 minutes from downtown, it's a peaceful urban spot great for nature lovers and casual outdoor activities.
7.519 miLocated in Minneapolis, Lake Nokomis offers an easy and accessible urban lake experience with swimming, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Popular in summer, the 2.7-mile paved trail circles the lake, making it great for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking relaxation and recreation.
6.519 miLake Nokomis Park in Minneapolis offers an easy, 2.7-mile paved trail around an 800-acre lake ideal for paddleboarding, fishing, running, and swimming. Family-friendly with lifeguards in summer, it provides accessible urban nature just 20 minutes from downtown.
6.821 miLake of the Isles Park in Minneapolis offers an easy and accessible 2.8-mile paved loop great for paddleboarding, biking, and walking. Enjoy peaceful waters, wildlife viewing, and picnic spots in an urban setting. Best visited year-round with busier summer weekends.
6.421 miExplore Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis for easy kayaking, biking, and walking on smooth lake trails. Enjoy calm waters in spring through fall and ice skating festivals in winter. This peaceful urban lake offers accessible outdoor fun with scenic views and local wildlife sightings.
6.821 miLocated in Minneapolis, Lake Harriet South Beach offers an easy, family-friendly lakeside beach with gentle swimming, biking, and walking trails. Ideal during spring through fall, it features calm waters, shaded areas, and scenic views in an accessible urban park setting.
7.221 miBde Maka Ska in Minneapolis offers an easy lakeside escape with activities like sailing, windsurfing, fishing, biking, and walking. Accessible by car, it features calm waters and scenic views with trails around the lake. Popular in summer and valued for its natural and cultural significance.
7.222 miLake Harriet in Minneapolis offers a 2.8-mile easy biking trail, popular fishing spots, two sandy beaches for swimming, and watercraft rentals. This urban lake provides peaceful nature views and family-friendly outdoor recreation within the city.
5.822 miRichfield Lake in Richfield, MN offers flat, easy walking and running paths with wildlife viewing opportunities. Ideal for family outings and casual birdwatching, this small urban lake is accessible by car and best visited in spring or fall for active wildlife and pleasant weather.
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12 bookable experiences
2.98 mi awayStillwater, Minnesota
2.98 mi awayStillwater, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
4.93 mi awayWoodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
4.93 mi awayWoodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
4.93 mi awayWoodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury, Minnesota
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Make the most of your visit to Lake Elmo, Minnesota with these essential planning tips, seasonal events, and protected public lands.
Lake Elmo, Minnesota hosts celebrated events showcasing local heritage, outdoor recreation, and regional community gatherings.
Experience the vibrancy and outdoor culture of Lake Elmo, Minnesota during Lake Elmo Summer Farmers Market. Check local schedules and reserve travel accommodations early.
Experience the vibrancy and outdoor culture of Lake Elmo, Minnesota during Outdoor Concerts at Lake Elmo Community Center. Check local schedules and reserve travel accommodations early.
Experience the vibrancy and outdoor culture of Lake Elmo, Minnesota during Annual Bike Swap and Rides. Check local schedules and reserve travel accommodations early.
Lake Elmo, Minnesota is surrounded by pristine national parks, forests, and wilderness preserves offering backcountry trails and scenic recreation.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve is a vast green space in Washington County, Minnesota, offering diverse outdoor recreation including hiking, camping, horseback riding, and fishing amid forests, prairies, and a 185-acre lake.
Big Marine Park Reserve is a diverse natural area in Washington County, Minnesota, offering forested trails, wetlands, and a serene lake environment for outdoor recreation and wildlife watching.
Washington County Parks offers a diverse array of outdoor recreational opportunities with scenic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and well-maintained trails that attract visitors year-round.
River Woods Park is a serene natural area in Minnesota offering forested trails and river access, ideal for hiking, wildlife watching, and quiet outdoor recreation.
Bring bug spray in warmer months; wetlands attract mosquitoes.
Parking is limited on weekends at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, arrive early.
Trail maps are available at the park visitor center and online.
Winter cross-country ski trails are groomed after fresh snowfall.
Respect wildlife, especially in wetland areas.
Lodging options are primarily in nearby Oakdale or Woodbury.
Always check local regulations, park permits, trail advisories, and weather forecasts before embarking on any adventure around Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Respect wildlife and preserve our shared outdoors with Leave No Trace ethics.