Battle Creek Regional Park, Saint Paul, MN

Battle Creek Regional Park is close to Downtown Saint Paul and consists of 1,840 acres of nature along with a small creek. The park includes a ballpark, recreational center, playground, mountain biking and is connected to other Saint Paul parks including Mounds Park, Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and the Mississippi Trail system. Below are some pics:

Deer in Battle Creek Regional Park

Battle Creek Regional Park

Bees on Flower in Battle Creek Regional Park

Close Up Bee in Battle Creek Regional Park

Deer in Battle Creek Regional Park

Deer in Battle Creek Regional Park

Battle Creek Regional Park

Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, MN

Lake Nokomis is part of the Minneapolis chain of lakes and is 204 acres. It features 2 beaches, sailing and a diamond ball field. A walk around Lake Nokomis is around 2.4 miles. It is part of the Minneapolis ground rounds which includes Minnihaha park and falls, and the downtown riverfront. Below are pictures of the lake in the morning:

Lake Nokomis Sail Boats

Lake Nokomis

Lake Nokomis

Lake Nokomis

Lake Nokomis Geese

Willow River State Park, Hudson, WI

Willow River State Park is around 30 minutes from Saint Paul and features a Dam, River, Lake with a very nice beach, Camping and 3,000 acres of nature. The park costs around $7-10 for a 1 day pass or $25-35 for a year pass depending on whether you live in Wisconsin. Unlike the Minnesota State passes which last 1 year from the date of purchase, the Wisconsin passes only last from January - December.

Here are some pics of the state park. The highlight of the park is the waterfall which is massive. People can often be seen swimming in all parks of the falls.

Little Falls Lake

Little Falls Dam

Little Falls Dam

Little Falls Lake

Willow River Waterfall

Willow River Waterfall

Fort Snelling State Park, Twin Cities

Fort Snelling State Park is a massive 3,711 acres. It features miles of trails and the historic Fort Snelling built in the 1820's. The Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers converge in this park and trails go through a handful of lakes. Vehicles require park permits which cost only $25 a year or $5 a day. Within the first hour of being at the park I saw 6-7 deer. Here are some pics:

Fort Snelling Tower

Fort Snelling State Park Fields

Fort Snelling Fishing Pier

Fort Snelling Clear Water in Fishing Lakes

Fort Snelling Trails

Fort Snelling Picnic Area At Mendota Bridge

Grass By Beach

Fort Snelling Tower

Fort Snelling Beach

Deer in Fort Snelling

Fort Snelling Boat Launch

Mississippi Regional Park Trail, Hastings, MN

Starting out in Jaycee Park and walking along Mississippi River Regional Park Trail all the way down to the Mississippi Lock And Dam 2 is very scenic. The total distance from Jaycee Park to the Dam and back is about 3.5 miles.

Mississippi River in Hastings, MN

New Hastings, MN Bridge

New Hastings Bridge Span

Bridge Span From Scenic Overlook

Bridge Span Close-Up

Mississippi Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings, MN

Mississippi River Regional Trail in Hastings, MN

Mississippi River Regional View

Mississippi River Regional Trail At Night

Mississippi River Regional Trail At Night 2

Lake Rebecca

Lake Rebecca

Lake Rebecca

Lake Rebecca

Union Depot, Downtown Saint Paul, MN

Photos of the Central Corridor Union Depot station Downtown Saint Paul expected to be completed in 2014.

Union Depot Street View

Union Depot Street View

Union Depot Train Boarding

Union Depot Building

Harriet Island Regional Park, Saint Paul, MN

Harriet Island sits across the Mississippi River from downtown Saint Paul. It is no longer an island (was at some point) however alongside it is Raspberry Island Regional Park which is a small island containing the Minnesota Boat Club, a concert pavilion, and a stairway up to the Wabasha Bridge to cross the river.

Harriet Island offers miles of biking paths thru the Mississippi River Trail as well as wonderful walking paths that are usually empty. Here is a pdf map of the Lillydale Park Trail that takes you to Fort Snelling.

Raspberry Island, Saint Paul, MN

Downtown Saint Paul at Dawn

Harriet Island Docks

Harriet Island