Free to Enter, Full of Adventure

It's always a beautiful time to be outside in Minnesota! To play in the parks, explore new trails and discover everything the great outdoors has to offer. And the best part? It’s all free! 

At Three Rivers, having fun in the Twin Cities doesn't have to cost a thing. Free to park, free to enter, free to play. Find your adventure!

Free Parking

Parking at Three Rivers parks and trails is free for personal vehicles. If you are coming with a group by bus or passenger van, reservations are required and may include fees.

free things to do

Bike Trail

Biking

Two women bike over a bridge.

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.

Dog Trails - On Leash

Dog Trails

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

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.

Fishing / Fishing Pier

Fishing

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

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.

Formal Gardens

Formal Gardens

View of garden columns

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.

Geocaching

Geocaching

Two girls using a GPS unit

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

Hiking

Hiking

A turf trail passes by a sign that says "hiking trail."

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.

Please note: In winter, hiking on cross-country ski trails is not permitted.

History Education

History Exploration

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

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.

Nature Education

Nature Education

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

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. 

Mountain Bike Trail

Mountain Biking

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

If you’re looking for your own adventure, give mountain biking a try in Three Rivers. There are designated mountain bike trails at CarverElm 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.

Sledding

Sledding

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

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.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing

four people snowshoeing on a sunny day.

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. Please note: Snowshoeing is not permitted on cross-country ski trails unless otherwise noted.

New This Season: Snowshoe rentals require advanced reservations. Availability will vary by location.

 

Swimming

Swimming

two girls swimming

Swimming beaches in Three Rivers are located near play areas, trails, visitor centers and campgrounds, so you can make a day of it. Or try the swim ponds at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park and Elm Creek Park Reserve for the perfect mix of pool and lake.

upcoming free events

Ongoing | Multiple Locations
Explore nature through hands-on activities! 

April 20–21 | Multiple Locations
Celebrate Earth Day with Three Rivers! Take a spring hike, search for songbirds, and learn more about our planet and the parks.

Ongoing | Eastman Nature Center
Focus on health and wellness in the outdoors through a low-impact, guided trail walk that includes a wellness or mindfulness technique each week. 

All Free Programs

Look ahead to see all free programs at Three Rivers.

Through social media, we're bringing the outdoors to you! Tune in to explore nature, meet farm animals, try new art projects and more.

Two kids examine a net on the ground.

Rental Equipment Under $5

No gear? No problem! Three Rivers offers a variety of free and low-cost rental equipment, including:

  • GPS units for geocaching: Free
  • Nature exploration kits: Free 
  • Sit-ski cross-country skis: Free
  • Bocce ball: $3/hour
  • Croquet set: $3/hour
  • Disc golf discs: 3 discs/$5
  • Horseshoes: $3/hour
  • Sand toys: $1/hour
  • Snowshoes: $5/day
  • Sleds: $1/day
  • Volleyball net and ball: $3/hour

See where to rent equipment

*Prices do not include sales tax. 

We believe everyone belongs in the parks. To make outdoor opportunities available to all, Three Rivers offers several fee assistance options to help when financial limitations occur.