Discover Ramsey: Trails, Winter and Nature

Ramsey is a destination for anyone who wants to combine active days, nature experiences and cultural discoveries. In Ramsey County, the range extends from regional trails and winter activities to gardens, museums and historic sites. When choosing your vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worth first determining your preferred focus: outdoor activity, winter pursuits, river nature or culture.

Trails for activity in every season

The trails in Ramsey County are suitable for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Ramsey County manages six regional trails within the Metropolitan Council’s Regional Recreation Open Space System. This gives you different options for planning each day without having to commit to a single activity.

A good example is Keller Regional Park. It has paved trails and a boardwalk that leads from the Island area under Highway 36 to Spoon Lake. If you are looking for longer scenic experiences, you can include the Gateway State Trail in your itinerary, with its sections through prairie, woodland and agricultural areas. In summer, the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area also offers fishing, hiking, paddling and cycling along the Mississippi River.

Winter experiences and encounters with nature

Ramsey also offers various opportunities for active outings during the colder season. The Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area features machine-made snow, lighted cross-country ski trails, sledding opportunities, snowshoeing and winter hiking trails. A joint cross-country ski pass for Ramsey County and Saint Paul is valid for more than 50 kilometers of marked and groomed trails with natural snow. The two details can be clearly distinguished when planning: both machine-made snow and natural snow are available here.

The parks in Ramsey County offer snowshoeing, paved hiking trails, sledding, dog parks and ice fishing in winter. At the Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township, you will find a 320-acre protected area. As part of its programs, the Nature Center offers nature walks and up-close encounters with animals. This creates appealing contrasts between active days and quieter wildlife observations.

River, gardens and culture

The Mississippi River Gallery at the Science Museum of Minnesota provides a cultural complement, exploring the origins of the river as well as changes in Minnesota’s environment and weather, while the Ordway Gardens offer another highlight. There, you can visit the bonsai collection and the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden year-round. The Minnesota State Capitol offers free tours covering its history, art and architecture.

Ramsey also has a firm place for historical interests: Fort Snelling is a National Historic Landmark on Dakota land at the confluence of the two rivers known as Bdote. Admission to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free. Together with the trails, parks and river activities, this creates an itinerary in which you can balance nature, history and city visits according to your own interests.

The right accommodation idea for your trip

When looking for accommodation in Ramsey, you can use your preferred daily rhythm as a guide. For a trip focused on hiking, cycling or mountain biking, the regional trails and parks take center stage. In winter, cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing move to the forefront. If you would like to combine different interests, complement these experiences with gardens, museums, historic sites or the Mississippi River.

More local pages for regional orientation: Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Roseville, Mounds View, Scott

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.