Discover Washington: Nature, Water and History

Washington combines expansive natural areas, waterscapes, active experiences and a distinctive piece of history. The Washington County park system includes seven parks, two regional trails and a conservation area. This means the range extends from peaceful scenic impressions to outings by kayak, on horseback, on cross-country skis or on foot.

Landscapes Between Prairie, Forest and River

Nature is particularly varied in the large park areas. Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park covers 515 acres. Hills, densely forested ravines, old fields and prairie give it a diverse landscape character. At Pine Point Regional Park, pine forests, lakes and wetlands come together. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is even larger at 2,165 acres and features gently rolling hills as well as forest and prairie landscapes.

The waterfront areas also have their own distinctive features. St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park covers 685 acres and stretches along 3,800 feet of shoreline on the St. Croix River. Point Douglas Park is located on the St. Croix River, just above its confluence with the Mississippi River. At Big Marine Park Reserve, the St. Croix Valley, a northeastern ground moraine, high-quality upland and a wetland habitat for wildlife are among the notable natural features.

Square Lake Park is designated as a regional „Special Recreation Feature“ because of the outstanding water quality of Square Lake. Anyone who wants to get to know Washington primarily through its landscapes and bodies of water will find a variety of themes here for planning a trip, without having to limit themselves to just one type of outing.

Active Days on the Water and Trails

For an active day, the Gateway State Trail provides a clear point of reference: the paved trail is 18 miles long and designed for multiple types of use. At Lake Elmo Park Reserve, visitors can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards through iPaddlePorts. There are also horseback riding trails there. Pine Point Regional Park also has horseback riding trails.

Additional activities are spread across various natural areas. Point Douglas Park has a launch site for canoes and kayaks. Nordic Rocks cross-country skis can be rented at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park; the same service is available at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. In the Long Lake Conservation Area, bow hunting for deer, turkeys and small game is permitted during the designated hunting seasons. This restriction is part of planning a suitable stay and should be taken into account when choosing your own activities.

Plan for History and the River Area

In addition to nature experiences, Washington offers a historic site to visit. The Washington County Historic Courthouse is the oldest surviving courthouse in the state of Minnesota. It offers daily public guided tours as well as self-guided tours. This allows a stay in the region to be complemented by a cultural activity rather than focusing the trip exclusively on landscapes and physical activity.

The river area also includes the lower St. Croix between Highway 8 and Boom Site Landing in Stillwater, Minnesota, which is designated as a separate section. For planning your trip, you can therefore choose different focuses: nature parks, water activities, trails and horseback riding options, or historical insights. It makes the most sense to choose a vacation rental or vacation home based on the desired character of your days and on which of these themes are most important for your trip.

Places for Further Trip Planning

For regional orientation, you can also visit the location pages for Oakdale, Stillwater, Woodbury, Forest Lake, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo and Afton. Another starting point for your search is Wright County.

For the overarching travel overview: Minnesota.