The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Hennepin County

Nice park office with ski rentals in the winter. Big playground. A lake that they run a aerator, so it stays open and a bunch of swans stay in the winter.

Normandale Lake Park in Bloomington, Minnesota, centers on Normandale Lake and the meandering Nine Mile Creek. The lake, created in the late 1970s from a marsh and floodplain, serves both as a scenic retreat and a vital flood-control basin for the area. On the east side of the lake, a cascading waterfall marks the spot where water flows from the lake back into the original channel of Nine Mile Creek. This creek, stretching approximately 15 miles, continues its journey from the lake to the Minnesota River. Visitors enjoy the park not only for its natural beauty—especially at the waterfall, which is particularly striking during the spring melt—but also for its amenities, including picnic areas, a reservable picnic shelter, seasonal restrooms, and access to water activities like canoeing and fishing.

The Hyland Lake Park Reserve Visitor Center is the main location for visitors at Hyland Lake Park in Bloomington, Minnesota. Managed by the Three Rivers Park District, the Visitor Center offers access to park activities and services. Next to the Visitor Center, families can enjoy the Hyland Play Area, known as "Chutes and Ladders.”. The center also has restrooms, serves as a warming shelter, and is close to a concession stand for snacks and drinks. Near the Visitor Center is a small 3-hole disc golf practice course, and during the warmer months, canoes and paddle boats are available for rent on the nearby lake.

Cedar Lake is the centerpiece of a park of the same name. The park has three sandy beaches, a nice picnic area with a grill, a fishing pier, and a great running trail around the lake.

Hyland Park Reserve has around 9 miles of paved paths with light climbs, passing through woods and open areas. It connects to other local trails like Nine Mile Creek and has access points with parking and restrooms, including Richardson Nature Center. Good for a steady ride away from traffic.

You can get great views of the parks wetlands here and maybe even spot some critters along your hike.

Here, you'll come across a beautiful bridge that stretches over Nine Mile Creek, leading to Lake Normandale. It's a stunning sight, particularly amidst the lush surroundings, especially in the summer.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and spans over 1,000 acres with extensive trails for hiking and biking, a large play area known as Chutes and Ladders, the Richardson Nature Center, and the Hyland Hills Ski Area for winter sports. The trails wind through its diverse habitats, which include woodlands, prairies, and wetlands, making it a popular destination, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing from green to hues of yellow, red, and orange.