The best family-friendly hikes and walks around St. Paul

St. Paul offers a fantastic selection for families, with over 50 family-friendly hiking trails. The majority of these, around 40, are rated as easy, making them perfect for all ages and skill levels.

Absolutely! Many trails are designed for easy, circular walks. For a gentle and scenic option, consider the Crosby Farm Upper Lake Loop, which is just under 2 km and offers lovely views of Crosby Lake and wooded bottomlands.

St. Paul's trails are rich in natural beauty. You'll find stunning river bluffs, dense floodplain forests, and diverse ecosystems including oak forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Many trails run along the Mississippi River, offering scenic views and opportunities to spot wildlife. Don't miss the breathtaking Minnehaha Falls, a particularly popular natural monument, or the picturesque waterfall at Hidden Falls Regional Park.

Yes, St. Paul is home to beautiful waterfalls that are accessible via family-friendly trails. The Shadow Falls via Shadow Falls Trail is a great option to experience a picturesque cascade. Hidden Falls Regional Park also boasts a lovely waterfall, creating a serene ambiance for your hike.

For wildlife spotting, Battle Creek Regional Park is an excellent choice. Its 1,840 acres encompass diverse landscapes where you might see hawks, egrets, herons, foxes, chipmunks, and deer. Crosby Farm Regional Park and Hidden Falls Regional Park also offer good opportunities for birding and observing local fauna along the Mississippi River.

Many of St. Paul's parks and trails are well-integrated into the city's infrastructure, making some accessible via public transport. For example, parks along the Mississippi River often have bus stops nearby. It's always a good idea to check local transit routes for specific trailheads before you go.

Yes, many trails in St. Paul are paved or well-maintained with minimal elevation changes, making them ideal for strollers and young children. The 6.7 miles of paved trails at Crosby Farm Regional Park and Hidden Falls Regional Park are great examples. The Lake Phalen loop, a 3.7-mile paved path, is another excellent choice for an easy, accessible walk.

The komoot community highly rates the family-friendly trails in St. Paul, with an average score of 4.34 stars. Reviewers often praise the beautiful river views, the accessibility of the trails, and the diverse natural environments that make each outing an adventure for the whole family.

Many parks and trails in St. Paul are dog-friendly, provided your furry friends are kept on a leash. Always check specific park regulations before your visit, but generally, you'll find plenty of options to bring your dog along for a family hike.

For families looking for a bit more of a challenge, the Snelling Lake, Fort Snelling, Picnic Island Loop is a moderate 8.6 km route that offers varied terrain and scenic views within Fort Snelling State Park. Another good option is the Big Rivers Regional Trail, which is longer but generally flat, following the river for an extended adventure.

Beyond the trails, St. Paul offers several family-friendly attractions. Como Lake, located within Como Regional Park, is a century-old staple that also features the Como Zoo & Conservatory. The Confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers at Fort Snelling State Park is a significant historical and natural site worth visiting. You can also explore the Indian Mounds Park for historical insights and great views.