Lake Elmo Park Reserve

At-A-Glance

• Hiking, Biking and Paddling (and more)
• Rustic, wooded, paved and unpaved trails
• Winter and Summer Hiking
• Moderate (hilly)
• Skiing in the winter, with lighted trails and a brand new warming shack
• Fees:  $5.00 day pass or $25 for the year
• Beach, playground, camping etc - great for those with kiddos (in a seperate area from hiking area)

Stick it in the GPS:  1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Review:  10/10

This is one of my favorite hikes, for in the 4-6 miles of trekking it feels like one is walking across the state from Southern MN to Northern MN based on the changing scenery (prairie to tall conifers).   I dare you not to sing The Little House on the Prairie theme song, running down one of the grassy hills.   Opposite of the prairie, one will find tall cedars and other aromatic conifers. With some patience and quiet, one can also spot a ton of wildlife here.  

Guide:

You really can't go wrong here - park in the first parking lot on your left about a half mile after you enter the gate.  The trail is well-marked all along the way, with every single intersection marked with a number and a map.  

Fees: 

If it is before 8 am or after 4 pm, bring CASH and pay by your honor.  The park closes at dusk and opens at dawn even if the gate is not manned.  

Website:  

http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/parks_division/hours_and_fees/lake_elmo_park_reserve/

Summer Hiking Map:   

http://www.co.washington.mn.us/_asset/gsb6qc/PKP-LEPRsummermap.pdf

Enjoy the pictures, but as always, I hope you can get out and see it for yourself soon!

St. Paul's Crosby Farm Regional Park Trail

At-a-Glance

• Paved (rough)
• Easy
• River Views 
• Shady Trails
• 1-6.7 (or more) Miles
• Restroom Facilities (may have to crash a party if pavilion is being rented to use them)
• Fees:  NONE

Website:  http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/Facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=26

Stick it in the GPS:  2595 Crosby Farm Road, Saint Paul, MN 55116

If you don't have a GPS, I recommend getting one.  Since that handy invention, my hiking treks have more than tripled!  Just "drive to the green" - find the green areas on the map and drive towards them to find trails you never knew existed.  

Parking:  Best parking in the last lot on Crosby Farm Road.  Restroom facilities are found in the first lot.

Guide:  From the last parking lot on Crosby Farm Road, the trailhead is easy to spot.  Head out on that and head left at the first fork in the trail.  This will bring you on the Wetlands Trail.  From there you will end up on the boardwalk.  The trail is well-marked with maps and markers, so you will not get lost.  You can follow the trail to the river (go straight after boardwalk) and loop back around for an easy 30 minute stroll, or you can head left after the boardwalk for a long trek around Lake Crosby.  The latter version will also have you walking on Sam Morgan Regional Trail a bit (more urban than natural).  At any case - it's a good idea to print out a map for yourself (even for well-marked trails) so you don't get lost.

You can find a great map here:  http://www.stpaul.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2807

Review: 

I will offer a disclaimer here - if there are trees and water, I am easily impressed.  So, take my reviews with that in mind.  I also tend to enjoy less-people-populated areas.  So the fewer folks I see on a hike, the higher review I will give a place.  

7/10

The highly scientific number I give Crosby Farm Regional Park is 7/10.  

I prefer a natural footing to pavement, but Crosby trail does offer places to veer off the pavement onto dirt and sand.  For those who need or prefer pavement, please note the trail is rough and beat up in many areas.  The pavement is newer towards the river, though.  

The trees are mature offering relief from the midday sun.  Wildlife is abundant even for such an urban setting with many varieties of birds and flowers.  

There are great beach-y areas along the Mississippi for a nice place to rest, have a picnic and enjoy the water and sun.  Bring along a towel or those folding chairs to sit on.  There are some fallen trees that make for nice seating/picnic as well.  (Swimming not recommended, it is the Mississippi River, after all). 

Overall, it's a nice hike.  It's close to home and offers trees, solitude, lake, pond, river, birds and peace!

Enjoy the pics, but be sure to get out and see it for yourself!  

Tell us about your adventure if you care to share.