Lake Elmo: Discover Nature Areas and Trails
Accommodation in Lake Elmo
Lake Elmo offers a range of nature experiences, including protected areas, fishing piers, trails for walking or cycling, and indoor and outdoor activities. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering which of these aspects of the area you’d like to explore.
Nature Areas and Activities by the Water
Lake Elmo Park Reserve covers 2,165 acres; 80% of it is designated for conservation and protection. A fishing pier is located there on the southwest side of Lake Elmo. The reserve’s character therefore includes both a designated focus on conservation and protection and a specific place to fish. If you’re planning your visit around your interests in nature, you can take these aspects into account when choosing what to do.
The reserve also has campsites with electrical and water hookups, group sites, and rustic walk-in sites. These different types of camping are a distinct part of the park’s offerings. They provide another point of reference if you’re interested in the various ways the reserve offers to spend time outdoors.
Sunfish Lake Park also offers a distinctive natural setting: the 284-acre natural area is recognized by the Department of Natural Resources as a “Regionally Significant Ecological Area.” Its trails vary by use. About nine miles of mowed trails are for skiing or walking. Separately, there are about five miles of one-way, singletrack mountain bike trails. They’re maintained and open to fat biking in winter. When planning your day, you can choose between walking or skiing trails and a designated cycling route.
Trails and Activities in the Parks
Goose Lake Park covers 7.10 acres and has walking and cycling trails, a kayak/canoe rack, and a fishing area with a pier. These different ways to spend time outdoors come together in one park. Whether you’re looking for a quiet walk or bike ride, or are interested in fishing, kayaking, or canoeing, you’ll find different options to consider when planning your visit.
The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center offers indoor and outdoor experiences. Nature activities aren’t limited to trails: when planning your visit, you can also consider an indoor or outdoor experience without having to focus on just one type of activity.
In addition, Lake Elmo’s trails and parks include more than 500 acres of municipal parkland and more than 80 miles of trails. The park and trail network offers activities including hiking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. These different activities give you a concrete basis for considering the kind of stay you want: walking, skiing, and horseback riding each offer a different focus.
Other places to explore: Forest Lake, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Oakdale, Afton.
For the broader travel overview: Washington.
