You can find this 3,700-acre nature oasis just west of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, tucked between the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Mississippi River National River and Recreation Area.

While the park is named for the early 1800s fort on the bluff overlooking the confluence of both rivers, its history goes back thousands of years with native tribes who lived here along the river bottoms and lakes. Check out the visitor center and interpretive exhibits that explain the Dakota history and the fort’s role in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, or pick up a map for a walk uphill to the historic fort, hiking the 18 miles of trails or biking on paved and mountain bike paths.

There is a swimming beach and fishing pier on Snelling Lake, playgrounds at the beach and on Picnic Island, and a nine-hole golf course on the upper bluff. There is no camping at this day-use park, but you can find campgrounds in the Twin Cities’ Three Rivers Park District.

Admission
$5 daily park sticker

Hours
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round