Reviews of Lake Elmo Park Reserve. (Campground) in Minneapolis (Minnesota).

Lake Elmo Park Reserve

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381 Comments

Campground

Park

1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042, United States

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Information of Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Campground in Minneapolis (Minnesota)

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Open hours of Lake Elmo Park Reserve

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Reviews of Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Lindsay Bird

Great trail system. I recommend downloading a trail map/tracker as it’s easy to get lost on the various trails that intertwine. Paid $7/day, and then went back and paid $30/year as I see myself spending lots of time there in the future! Update: It’s June 26 and still loving this park system! Trail hikes, over hikes, two campgrounds, swimming area and fishing, too!

V H

We really enjoyed our weekend camping stay here. Our modern site was spacious and semi-private. We had electric and water. Bathroom and showers were nice. Playground nearby was great. Another huge playground was a short walk/bike away near the man-made swimming pond. Lots of places to take a walk and enjoy the beauty. Hope to stay again next season.

Megan McBride

Great place for a nice long day ride. Wide and soft trails. I learned bikers pass on left so ensure you understand where bikers pass while on horseback. Everyone was very polite.

Brenda P

Came here to see my daughter participate in a dryland dog race. The course they set up seemed better planned out and safer than other races we've been at. NICE JOB!! If this becomes an annual event, we'll be back!

Jim Kreilich

Spacious lots! Tremendous walking,running, & biking paths. Clean restrooms with showers. Unique filtered swimming pon with clear water and sand. Close to Woodbury shopping. Check out the huge fishing pier on Lake Elmo. Will return

Bob Horsnell

Great trails. Clean parking lot. If you arrive early, no one is around. Winter ski and sled tails. Used to take the dogs here for walks. So close to everything and yet so peaceful.

Grizz Erickson

Great park with fun things to do. The Lake Elmo Swimming Pond was a great place to take the kids on a hot summer day. It’s not too deep (about chest deep for adults), it’s clean (minus all of the kid pee), and it has a nice sandy bottom and beach. Haven’t had the opportunity to explore the other parts of the park yet, but definitely look forward to doing so. Requires Washington County Parks pass - $7 for the day or $30 for the season (could be $35… I forgot). State Park pass or license plates don’t work.

Charles Nguyen

Really nice park. The trails are well maintained and very long. It's great for kids to run around and be free. Some trails are shorter than others or you can just turn around. The picnic benches are nice as well.on the day we went, they had bike races and the police presence was good to help control traffic. It is a Washington county park so you will need to get a parking permit.

Stephanie Reynolds

Huge park. We bring a blanket and snacks and find a quiet place to picnic with our 2 little kids. We bring the dog, and keep him on a leash. Great place to get outside with the family, for walking or picnicking!

Mike Greenwell

Lake Elmo has been around since I was a kid and it's only gotten better with age. I bring my kids here now and we go on hikes and play at the parks! There's a little bit of everything for everybody here!

Pat Leahy

Lake Elmo Park Reserve has great compacted snow trails for hiking! Large park that is spread out and plenty of parking. Also separate trails for cross country skiing. Beautiful park!!

Terri Buttleman

Nice County Park. Site are nicely spaced in the Rustic section. We enjoyed our site. Easy dump station. We sat and watched something chance the pheasant in the field below. So many dear, some gophers, many songbirWhile watching the pheasant being chased we could hear the trains go by.ds.

Luke Wiley

The trails are nice and there's even people on horseback. There's really great camping options and a ridiculously huge playground. There's a man-made sand beach pond with chlorinated water. Easily the best park around for everything!

Cathy Martin

Beautiful sprawling park with something for everyone. We stayed here in our 40' motorhome with electric only. Dump station and potable water are available at the entrance to the Modern Campground. Restrooms were spacious and clean, garbage and recycling receptacles are located conveniently around gathering spaces. There are several lakes and ponds and walking trails for miles. Lots of wildlife visible here with daily sightings of deer, rabbits, wild tukeys, and a variety of other birds. Conveniently located near St. Paul/Minneapolis so it was easy for us to drive into the city to explore. Only downside is that there is a shooting range nearby, but we only heard activity there for a short time on one day. We would definitely stay here again.

GRAMS

Such a great place for a picnic. Sandi 4 foot deep beach with plenty of room to stretch and play. Has a great playground right across from the swim area. Life jackets available for borrow. $7 no contact pass required

Hue

Beautiful park, grove of aspen with snow was delightful. Well groomed multi-use trails. The bird hike guide Shelly was very knowledgeable. Will have to come back for birding in the spring and summer.

Steven Joines

We hike here every week. It's been interesting to watch the oak savanna and prairie restoration projects. Today we saw a pair of swans and their babies. Beautiful.

Michelle Hannah

We visited 9/14/19 and rode our bikes on the paved trail. The park is beautiful and very well maintained. It’s relatively quite but please note there is a gun range close, so don’t be alarmed!

Jonathan Yang

This used to be THE spot to swim. Since a few incidents have happened here, they made the pool shallow, and you can no longer grill near the lake, it’s not as popular. It’s still a decent place to camp with your family. It’s a good spot to swim for cheap.

Ally Utecht

Beautiful park, lots of playgrounds for kiddos, great swim pond that's clean. Great trails for walking or riding bikes. Campgrounds are nice and bathrooms are well maintained. Would recommend!

Amanda Dodd

There's plenty to do and see for all ages and abilities. It's very easy to find and close to there city. Be prepared for mosquitos if you're camping or hiking. The swimming area and playground are top notch. It's a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or for a camping trip.

Tyler Mason

Went here for the first time today and loved it. It had the feel of a state park. We just did one trail but will be back to try others. The swim pond looked awesome, too.

Kellie Kamm

Absolutely in love with this park reserve- I only wish I would have ventured here sooner.

Anthony Buccanero

Nice spot for some hiking/walking. Great views with privacy! Plenty of camping seems to be available in the area. Good location to resources.

James Dishon

The campground was nice sized and we went to the swimming pond a d it was absolutely beautiful, the water is crystal clear and the sand feels amazing, it doesn't seem to get deep, the water felt super nice though pitcher of the walking/skiing trail

Brian Fitch

Great scenery, ample parking. Rides for those who could not walk the distance. Folk Festival was well attended. Maybe few more food trucks ( long lines)

Isaac Johnson

Local county park. Plenty of rules. Clean water and power in modern campground. Swim pond closed early this year which lowered the value of camping with kids. Staff makes rescheduling easy.

Jeanne Hager

Great camping trip with my family and friends. This is the fourth summer trip that we have been coming here. Great swim pond for the kids. Lots of great bike and hiking trails.

Bryan Corbett

Wonderful park. So many parking lots and pavilions for different hiking and biking trails. Great man made swimming pond with life guards on duty. Super clean and safe. Absolutely worth the year pass. Huge playground with multiple levels.

Beth Barnes

Manmade pool has treated water and a lifeguard every 30 meters or so. There is a concession stand at poolside. We did tent camping. There was a central main bathroom building surrounded by a huge green and some wildflowers. Playground adjacent. Perfect place to have your kids go-to while you spend a little extra time in the showers. The bathroom shares room with showers. I think there were 6 shower stalls? It was enough and it was fantastic. No waiting. Can get really humid in there! But it was kept clean. Fishing pier is alongside a trail. Nice to have shade close by to retreat to.

phyllis hunter

Lake Elmo park is our favorite place to hike. Beautiful scenery and good paths.

Mary Abresch

Up north feel in town! Nice campsites with a semi private feel. Restrooms and showers, several playgrounds, great bike/walk trails, lrg man-made swimming area

Kim Cairns

Excellent trail system for hiking! Check out the 4 mile trail around Eagle Point Lake. It's also a great place to canoe or kayak in the spring (weeds are too high in the summer). Lit trails for winter cross country skiing. Outdoor swim pond and huge play structure makes it a top destination for families in the summer. Boating access on Lake Elmo. Modern campsite with bathrooms. Lots of picnic shelters and paved walking paths. They also have a horse riders camp site and horse trails. Something for everyone!

Jessie

Lovely park, large playground, guarded beach pool with large umbrellas. Great place to take kids.

Kathryn Amos

Lots of parking, well maintained, and a nice place to walk, ride your bike, and bird watch. :)

Gabrielle Gaetz

Beautiful park! Tons of trails and camping areas. Would love to come back and have a picnic there this summer! 😊 …

Matthew Schumi

Love going here, have been since a kid. Great park for nature and camping and many other things. I also have great luck fishing here. But still have not caught my elusive muskie

Julia Jones

Only 11 minutes from Downtown St. Paul. Clean RV campsites with some privacy foliage between sites. Nice bathroom and shower facilities. Perfect place to stay after a day of exploring the Twin Cities.

David P

This park is great for all sorts of outdoor activities such as camping, skiing, hiking, biking and other fun things. I spend a lot of time here because the park is very beautiful.

Mike Madison

This place is a hidden GEM. Just north of the ever sprawling suburban expansion of Woodbury and Lake Elmo is a ton on land filled with trails for both on and offroad bikes, equestrian trails, a swimming pond, and multiple playgrounds. Camping is also an option, and you're missing out on a low cost activity to really get out into nature.

Samantha Kvilhaug

We love camping at Lake Elmo! Great family oriented campground. Swim pond with in walking distance, nice sites, nice-new playground, bathrooms always kept clean. Awesome hiking trails right out from the campground. It's beautiful

Stephanie Clausen

A nice little family area for camping, kids and swimming. Theres a playground down a path from the swimming pond area that looks fun for kids. The swim area is man made. I think this park area is maintained well. My friends and i were near the volleyball area near sunset time and caught a beautiful view.

Steven Ketchum

Went snowshoeing, and fell through some ice, but I suppose that was our fault. Just be safe.

Lou Lou Lou

A really nice place to hike, walk, go to the park, camp have a picnic, go swimming. Beautiful.

Karly H (Exploring the lakes!)

Really cool trail system!! Didn’t have enough time to do a lot but want to come back in the winter.

t aurand

Great park to ride bicycles or just walk on the various paths. Paths are designated for walking or biking with a few mixed use paths.

Lauren Ashley

Love the park, easy to navigate and tons of great hiking trails and skiing trails in the winter!

La Kprue Paw

I like to take my kids to Lake Elmo playground as it's big and comfortable. Also the surrounding is so beautiful.

Lisa H

This park has great trails they keep in good condition year round. Spring/Summer/Fall we trail run and enjoy the distance you can get in on these trails. Perimeter trail and doing some loops can get 15+ miles or more. There are some trails that have horses on, which always scares me a bit. We rented cross country skis in Feb and went out on the groomed trail. I am a beginner (just took lessons) and felt good during the lessons on the REI equipment, but the rental skis at this park were pretty bad. they strap over your boot and snow kept getting under your boot which made your boot slide around. the snow was sticky which didn't help (not the fault of the park), but I would not rent skis again. Otherwise, we like the park with ample parking, bathrooms, water and wide open space.

Michael Shaw

Nice trails and well kept. Mixed use trails (hike, bike and horse) can get busy.

Jason Anderson

Great place to go walking, or biking. Not a lot of people. Great experience.

David Anderson

It's a big ol park, lots of trees and paths and stuff. Not too far from the cities but you'll feel like you are in the middle of nowhere because you are.

Ron Fisher

HUGE park! Lots of well maintained trails, several playgrounds, and a swimming pond. Great if you have kids. Plus its only a short drive into st paul or minneapolis, great for out of towners to go to concerts or whatever and have a place to stay for cheaper than a hotel.

Donald Hankins

We went cross country skiing there today. It was 15 degrees and snowing, This provided nearly ideal snow conditions. It was a beautiful day to be out in the woods on a ski trail.

Kevin Spiess

Great clean nice place with nice little pond for the kidos to swim. Great price for camping. Most of the sites are kind of private which is really nice feature.

Nick Ellingson

Drove in around the construction, parked, went for a lovely hike with the doggo. A great afternoon on the trails around the lake.

melissa casey

Nature and more nature, paved trails and easy walking grassy trails. Great for variety of distances.

Robin Magnuson-Harkness

It's a clean park with great lifeguards. My family loves to swim here!

Chris C

Beautiful get away in the cities area. Wonderful area lots to do. Pool was nice.

Angela Smith

Absolutely gorgeous park and campsite. Camping is divided into sections like Modern, Rustic, Group. Playgrounds abound, plenty of clean restrooms and showers. Beautiful wheelchair accessible trails. Even an equestrian section!! There is a sand bottom swimming pond during the summer and plenty of picnic spaces throughout.

Jonathan

I liked this park. Large swimming, but totally packed with kids, so don't expect to actually swim! Boost launch is free with annual pass. Small lake though. Camped there once with the kids. Was nice. Want to try their cross country groomed paths sometime. It's lighted. Lots of picnic areas, can also reserve large spaces for parties and events.

Kimberly Leipold

The constant gunfire from the range close by takes away from the nature/camping experience. (Every 10 seconds, not kidding) Cement fire pits aren't great for letting a fire breathe. Staff were amazing, campsites are big and spread out and the park/reserve is beautiful. Great place for families and kids.

Krystal Harvey

An overall great experience! We brought the kids there to play for awhile at the playground, which is like 5 or 6 playgrounds in 1! Enjoyed a picnic, and wore the kids out completely. For a $7 entry fee per vehicle, totally worth spending a day here or visiting one of the campsites. The only and I stress only issue I had is the lack of lighting in the restroom.

chad gilmour

We stayed in the modern campground, and absolutely loved it!! Every site has at least a 20/30 electric hook up. Not every site has water, but about every 3 or 4 sites has an awesome water station right on the edge if the lot, with gravel drainage, that any one passing by can use. Each site is surrounded by trees, they have great fire pits, above ground with cooking grates. It tends to be more families with kids and is pretty quite. The swimming area is awesome, there is a great fishing pier, there are multiple parks, with a massive playground by the swimming area. Lots of things to keep the kids busy. Everything was very clean and very well maintained. We will be coming back many more times!

Cora and Don Hankins

Nice place to hike on natural trails year round. The trails can also be used by bicyclists and horses. Dogs are allowed on leash. In the winter, cross country ski trails are groomed, and also lighted at night. Several improvements have been made recently to remove buckthorn in order to restore oak savannah. Also ope field areas are being restored to.natural prairie.

Ping Wang

I was impressed with the design, care and thoughtfulness put into this place! It's a sheer paradise, and so close to the twin cities. perfect for camping! and other things, like rowing regatta.

Jeff Lambert

One of my favorite parks we are so blessed to have. Awesome job Washington County!

R R

This place is amazing. Only down side is no grilling near the swimming or play grounds. But is understandable with little humans running around everywhere. You just have to go aways away for grilling. Other than that this place is pretty perfect. Camping, trails, swimming, playground, and a nice boat launch. Has everything you need for a day trip or a week stay.

D P

The staff are friendly. Lots of trails to explore. We're actually currently camping here. We leave tomorrow afternoon but the experience was peaceful and much needed.

FlyinHiGuy (Sully)

Awesome park with a great swimming pond and huge playground. Also, access to lots of Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails.

Summer Bornhoft

Beautiful area. Nice man made lake pool with bathrooms and snack bar. I liked they take the safety of all at the pool, but the safety break every hour even for adults was kind of annoying. I get it though. I did not like there is not really anywhere deeper than 5 foot, that you can't have any floaties or pool noodles, but I do understand it is for the safety of all on the premises so will not dock any points for that. Fun day out.

Alane Stickan

The park was absolutely beautiful! It was super clean and we'll maintained. We stayed for 2 nights, biked and walked many trails, played with our grandchildren at the large park and also at the newly renovated park near the bathrooms in the camping area. Everything was super clean and so fun for the kids. We also spent some time fishing at the fishing dock where we saw a lot of small fish but didn't catch any. Both my husband and I noticed how thorough one of the camp host was on cleaning the campsite next to ours. He wiped down the electric box and water hook up and surface areas where the next campers would probably touch. Our site was pretty large and somewhat private and very well maintained. We totally enjoyed our stay and will be back. Thank you for providing such a wonderful place to get away with our grandchildren!

Kris Quade

Beautiful park. Great trails for hiking and biking. Clean, family friendly. Level sites.

James Krolnik

I met with a hiking group at this site and we did a short hike. It was a nice place that I will visit again and it was cool that they had goats in the forest for some additional interest. The dogs in our group were fascinated by the goats. I will go back at some point to check out more of the park. However it is important to note that there is a fee to enter the park which I didn't know at first.

Mark Hamill

It’s a great park with beautiful views just bring insect repellent during tick season, they seem to grow on the trees.

Melinda VanDerSchaegen (Mindy)

This is a awesome place for kids! My grandson had the best time there! Fishing,swimming and playgrounds! Everything you need to keep the kids entertained!

Michael Tomars

A great place to take the family swimming and for a walk!

Jesse Krulich

Such a nice campground and overall experience! Love it 😀 So relaxing …

James Kasal

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is a fantastic place to have on the east side of the cities. Great walking trails, great biking trails, boat access, a fishing dock, 4 playgrounds, and a chlorinated swimming hole. The only knock on the place is that there is a designated grilling area that is detached from the beach area - it would be very nice if they had an area that was closer to the beach so that families could set up shop for the day.

Sarah Linder

Enjoyed the Bluegrass Festival today!

Michelle Cappellin

My daughter had a game day at one of the picnic areas. I only drove through to drop her off and pick her up. The signs are clear, so its very easy to find your way. The area had a portable restroom. The tables were clean and the tree cover meant it was cooler for the game. The mosquitos came out about 7p or 8p though, but I can't hold that against the park. Just make sure you're prepared for nature. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is beautiful and definitely a site worth seeing. Next time I want to join them and maybe use the boat launch too

Chris Freeman

Great park with a lot of amenities a very short drive from the Cities, especially St. Paul. Miles of wide, easy hiking trails, with scenic views of a lot of water features such as lakes and ponds. Quite a variety of wildlife with a diversity of birds, waterfowl and animals. Also a great place to picnic with several pavilions and picnic tables as well as of course Lake Elmo which gives the park its name. There are equestrian trails, mountain bike trails and snowmobile trails as well.

Johanna Marie

This park has it all going on. Just visited late afternoon for a Lil dip at the little chlorinated pond with my husband and it was like a lukewarm bath but still refreshing. (It was BRUTALLY hot out!) Not very deep (about 4.5 feet at the deepest) or freezing at all so it's great for the littles learning to swim. The reserve seems to have plenty to do for a day of relaxation. Grills, big lawns, shrouded in trees. A get away without having to really get away. A great after-work wind down. Will be back to walk the trails and BBQ ( MAYBE EVEN NAP 🤣)!

Sovalon Torres

Lake Elmo Park is a smaller park but has a ton of different options like a modern campground with power, or a old campground made for tents with no power. Both are kept up really nice. There is access to Lake Elmo and a boat launch, as well as a multitude of trails, archery range, equestrian space, a playground and more. We spent a few hours here recently doing geocaching which the kids loved!!

Adam Sullivan

Love the archery range. We go there as a family, also take my dog

chris kleinschmidt

This place has a very nice park and overall facility. I go camping here regularly with my children and they love the place. The only thing that I see that could use a little improvement is cleaning of the bathrooms in the camp ground twice per day on the weekends as it gets used heavily during these days.

Mike Holden

A great park for riding bike, walking, kids, picnics, shelter rentals, and just about anything else with it's large open fields, various paths, and multiple playgrounds.

Daniel McWethy

Sites are semi private, shower clean. Reservation fee and County park fee make it more expensive Landscaping between sites

Julie Jansa

The multi-purpose trails were in great shape. Trail system was well marked. I look forward to going back.

Soleil

Beautiful park with lots of friendly families and couples going for walks. I was disappointed to find only porta potties at most locations around the park. The toilet I used was not well ventilated and had urine on the seat. A very unpleasant cleaning experience to be able to go to the bathroom. Almost makes you want to go in the woods instead. Besides the bathroom experience I would definitely return to explore the trails. There were many paved sidewalks which is excellent for me as a wheelchair user. I had a very nice stroll with my husband, after the bathroom debacle.

Carrie Wilmot

Fantastic park with lots of great walking trails and wildlife. Favorite trails are around Eagle Point Lake and the Browns Pond loop. Just discovered the small Inwood Ave car park that enables loops through the prairie / oak savannah and the North end of Eagle Point Lake. I always come to the park at dawn when fewer people are around. Pure bliss.

Chris

Nice park. My husband and I walk quite a bit and went on free Tuesday which they have the first of every month. We were a little turned around following the trail with a paper map and ended up using Google maps to get back on track. The trail we walked was grassy. We parked by a building that had indoor bathrooms. When we looked online at the walking map it looked like there were only a few toilets on one end of the park that we were not going to. However when we got to the park there were porta potties in the first two parking lots we came to and restroons in the building.

Mike Wolfgram

Very nice, expansive park. Great for camping, archery, and swimming. There are very nice playgrounds for kids. The cross country ski trails are lighted and generally well maintained. Parking is expensive, though--$7 a day or $30 for the season. You can get in free if you walk or hike (or skydive in if you have a friend with a plane).

Roseann Frank

This place is absolutely lovely. Great campground , with water and electric. Great trails and the people who staff here are awesome 😊. I only give my rating a 4 because of all the rules. Our sons family cannot come here because they have a dog. Don't bring any wine or cocktails. No alcohol allowed. The most difficult for me is no outdoor mats on the grass. It means you will be dragging in dirt. Still it's worth the hassle for a short stay. So pretty and clean.

Justin G

Cool place very big and swimming hole was awesome and it's treated beautiful place.

Kim Letexier

This is one of THE COOLEST PLACES I've seen in a while. The playground looks like a little village. The swimming pond is huge. Beautiful scenery everywhere. Tons of wildlife in different birds you hear chirping and see as well as chipmunks running around super cute.

Pete C

One of our favorite parks in the area. There are many activities for our family. Paved trails for biking or walking, a large jungle gym, and a swimming pond, which is our favorite. It's got lots of wonderful beach sand, but no weeds. The water is shallow and there are lifeguards on duty, so it's a really safe place for kids of all ages. Get there early if you want a spot under one of the giant umbrellas.

Mandy Schwemmer

The swimming pond is fantastic for families. $7 per car for the day is a total deal! Plenty of parking and bathrooms right at the beach. One of our favorite summer spots to beat the heat!

Jonathan Kasch

Awesome park/camping experience. Trails and Campsites were nicely mowed. First day of swim pond had excellent weather. I would suggest going right when it opens at 9 to avoid the crowds.

Yosmary Mejias

Great place to Snowshoeing ! I love it !

S G

Beautiful park. Lots of wonderful paved trails and more rustic hiking trails. The annual fee is so reasonable! This is the perfect spot for biking, hiking, picnicking, and for family fun. They have a wonderful water area for the kids too. Can't wait to take my grandkids there.

Jessica Anderson

Great camping experiences! Our stay at the modern campground would have been perfect except for a camper with a noisy generator parked next to our tent. We spent most of the day at the swim pond, made friends at the playground, and the kids were never bored. Our last stay at the rustic campground had beautiful views of the fields, but we preferred the shade that the modern campground provided.

Kylie

A very nice campground with beautiful spots! A great running/biking trail goes around the park. The shower house was clean and the stalls were big and private. Lots of playgrounds for the kids. We stayed an extra night because it was so nice. It was a little expensive but I would stay again regardless.

Lydia

Correction for review! I had a restaurant review on here initially. For the Park Review. .. Though Lake Elmo had a lot of people, there are enough trails to go exploring, including hiking, trail running, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. The benefits are also that the paths are lit at night. Beautiful scenery and fun for all ages.

Michelle Chaput

So my niece was invited to a kids birthday cookout here and I had never been there before and was thoroughly surprised! What an amazing place. Besides having a boat launch, horse trails, hiking and biking trails, they had what was called the swim pond. I had no idea what to expect and was amazed at what we found. It did cost us money to get into the reserve and park: $7.00 but really I look at it as the cost of keeping places like this clean and update in order for people to visit. I consider the cost minor compared to what you get in return. The place was huge! When we passed all the other roads for various paths etc., we reached the "swim pond". Personally I would name it something else as pond is definitely not the right word. It is however man-made but crystal clear water and sand all the way around and in the middle. The water goes from shallow on one side for younger children up to I believe 4.5 feet on the other. There is filtration system that keeps the water extremely clean and a handicap accessible ramp on side which is amazing in itself! A snack bar on one side and green grass on the other with many picnic tables and additional parking along with a playground too! Both the swim area and the playground have bathroom facilities. The only drawback was that every single hour they made you get out of the water for five minutes to be sure you account for everyone who is with you. I do understand and appreciate the safety on this rule, but believe every other hour would be just as effective and less disruptive. I wish I had better.pictures of the swim area and the playground but my phone loss battery. However I will return and be sure to take photos to add to my review!

Fern Springs

The park is quite large and well maintained. Camping spaces are not crowded together. There are lots of trees for shade. There are biking, hiking, and equestrian trails, swimming, boating, and fishing areas.

Elgin Cavelier

A great park to visit, the day pass cost seven dollars to visit this Minnesota state park. Worth every dollar spent, many trails to take with plenty of scenary to pick and choose from. The decision process of choosing the trail you want to explore can take a moment but not because the trail head marker maps are tough to read, in fact the contrary is true. The trail maps found near the parking lot are very easy to understand with very detailed descriptions of distance, viewing areas and resting spots to take a break or have a picnic. I highly recommend visiting this establishment.

Michael Hemming

A beautiful peace of nature in the middle of the suburbs. There are beautiful hiking trails, well maintained camp sites and clean bathrooms. The swimming pond is very pleasant, sandy and refreshing and the big playground was really a hit with our kids. Fishing and boating, archery and horse back riding are available as well. It was a great relaxing weekend for me and the family and so close to the city made it very convenient. My only gripe is they don't allow pets in the camping area but that is standard for most county parks.

Dina Blummer

I took a bird identification class here at the park. Classes are offered at a different park each month. The trails are well kept and our class leader was very personable. Great class for the adults but families are welcome, too.

Benjamin Meyer

There is always so much to do. Camping, paved and grassed trails, swim pond, lake and boat launch, lighted ski trails in winter and a great Nordic center.

Jordan Graen

I want to like this park more. It's a beautiful park from the natural side, but the trails and playgrounds need work. There are 3 playgrounds, and at least 2 of them need an overhaul. Dated/faded equipment, broken pieces, etc. I found a wasp nest in one of the playgrounds, for instance. The trails need resurfacing. Fine for walking, but very bumpy/uneven for any type of wheeled activity (bicycle, rollerblade, skateboard, rollerski, etc.) Also, the vast majority of the paved trails are right next to the main road. Why? The park is huge, why aren't there trails that highlight the natural beauty of the space? I go to park reserves to see the natural beauty, not walk next to a busy road. Take a look at elm creek park reserve in maple grove and then compare to lake Elmo. Elm creek is free to get into, but the amenities are far superior.

Craig MTRGoose

The people here are great. We are camping, in the rustic camp ground. The spaces aren't bad. Not as level as I would have liked. Nice open space. Close enough to home to just run out for a few nights under the open sky. It is close to the drive in theater. We are going to try that tomorrow night.

Shawn Davis

Fun archery range.

Holland Atkinson

Great park for exploring trails and seeing wildlife. Horseback riding and bird watching are highlights.

Mee

One daily parking permit is $7. The pond is very shallow now. I believe the deepest is 3 feet. It's not where you can go and chill with friends like it was anymore. It's more family friendly. No grilling where the pond is anymore which sucks a ton. Loved it back then when the pond was deep, the grilling was near and everyone was happy.

Charger Forme

Really like this place. Very beautiful. Love to see the horses too as horses are allowed here, but my puppy was interested in eating their poop. I'll know better to walk the no horses trail next time :-)

Ashley Cunningham

We got a group camp site this weekend and had a blast. Men's and women's bathrooms right on site and they were clean. We had plenty of space to set up 8 tents of various sizes. There are two fire pits and one large pavilion. For 15 of us it was perfect.

Mel Adams

Awesome place for a walk. Fresh air, and plenty of nature to see!

David Doren

I loved the whole experience. I rented a site in their modern campground for a little over a month. Most of these sites have 30 watt power hookups, their own fire pits and picnic tables and for the most part isolated from each other for a private but safe camping experience. There is a shower facility that was kept very clean and sanitary and a dump station with fresh and potable water to dump and fill your RV. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is well managed and well taken care of. The trees and foliage were beautiful rain or shine and there were about 14 four leaf clovers found throughout my stay which i thought to be very impressive. A very nice and clean swimming hole with filtered water was very nice on the hot days. A little packed for my taste at times, but some people go for that. The employees were all very respectful and enjoyable to be around and the wildlife was incredible to say the least. One evening around dusk i saw over 15 deer from multiple fauns to the does and stags that protected them. I only had one problem with one of the new policies I was told that was implemented just this year about having to leave the park for a day every 15 days if you are staying for more than that like in my case i had to pack up and go to a hotel for a day. Although i did get to experience the Reserve from 4 different perspectives, it made for an unwanted hastle that i believe was unnecessary. I think if we must change sites so they can keep the Campground up, clean and mowed, at least let us move to a different site. Not completely leave the park. I don't agree with this policy but it is what it is and i give this place a five star rating for going above in every other aspect.

Matt

There are some nice size pike and large mouth bass in the lake, the trails throughout the park are great for walking your dog and the swim pond is a nice place to take the kids.

Kevin Kelley

Really beautiful park. I wish they would accept a state park pass instead of needing a county pass, but what can you do. I come here often, the trails are beautiful with very diverse terrain.

eugene glaraton

It is very nice. Swimming, camping, fishing 🎏. Lots to do for everyone and very well maintained. …

Travis Brock

Trails were well marked and it was a beautiful quick hike.

Jon Nelson

Nice campground on lake Bylesby, boat launch. And awesome parks. My favorite park of the two has a huge swimming beach,a splash pad for the kids and big playground. All free!

Ann Bailey

Beautiful park with lots of trails. I got a little turned around for a short time. I started off and meant to hike the Bluestem trail but ended up on a different trail. Still a beautiful hike & twice for a brief time I shared the trail with horseback riders. clean outhouses along the trail.

George Boehmer

Great boat launch, Nice fishing dock. The whole park is great. Update: Took our bikes out here on the trails and had a great time. Somewhat flat except for some small short hills, except the unpaved trail that goes around the lake has a couple short killer hills. Perfect trails for a short little run.

meggieschill

Such a gorgeous park!! We went camping here this summer and had a good time. Even though it rained! We loved their man made pond, just wish they had more umbrellas. Can’t wait to go again!

John Klosner

It looks like winter has finally ceased...come out and enjoy!

Eddie Chamberlain

This is the park that I grew up in as a adolescent. I feel like I have walked every mile of the trail system. Great trails, great geocaching, great artificial beach that over the years has gotten much more sanitary and enjoyable! Highly recommend

Joseph McCauley

Fantastic regional park. It is easy to get to from the highway but does not feel crowded. There is an artificial swimming pond and a lot of trails. Some of the unpaved trails even have lights added to them in recent years for use with cross country skiing. It does require a pass to use either a day pass on site or the Washington County park annual pass.

Amanda Grimm

Beautiful park. Star off because 1. Trail we hiked (Eagle) was covered in horse poop. It stunk and was annoying to walk around (especially with our dog), 2. There is a gun range nearby and I just can’t relax with nonstop gun shots around me. Hiked with our dog and cat. Arrived about 730 and it wasn’t too crowded. Not a lot of trash around. Signage on trail was ok. Not too intrusive but we had to consult map at a few spots to stay on course (bc no signage). Eagle trail was mostly exposed to sun so it was great in a cool morning, we’d probably not use it when it gets hot out. No camping at the time so I could imagine the trail gets pretty packed when the campgrounds we passes are open.

peter grasse

Great place for trail riding. Nothing technical or narrow. Construction of new paved path through park is currently underway.

Polly Throntveit

Love the pool there. It's not a natural pool but it's the perfect place for my 2.5 year old toddler. Kiddo loves playing in the sand! It has a small snack bar for hot dogs and drinks. Not very crowded and ample of parking.

Gary (gtt)

This is a great place to take children camping. There are many children making new friends biking around the park, swimming and enjoying the play areas. The swimming area is a man made pond surrounded by a very well maintained beach. The beach rules require a responsible adult to be within arms reach of a child.

Explorer Mike

Lake Elmo Park is without question the most manicured county park and campground I have ever seen anywhere. The county obviously takes great pride in this park as they should. The park includes a man-made swimming "pond", but it is actually a cleansed, groomed large sanded swimming area and not a murky "pond". It includes large permanent beach umbrellas for shade. The park has extensive well maintained paved and unpaved hiking/bicycling trails. There are three types of campgrounds here: Modern, rustic, and walk-in. The modern campgrounds are clean with immaculate running water toilets and a HUGE playground. All the modern campsites have electric hook-up and are reasonably spaced apart and there is greenery, trees, shade, etc. The walk-in campgrounds are nice and shaded and secluded, but you must walk about one city block distance from the parking lot to the sites. non-flush toilets, but the very nice running water toilets at the beautiful Nordic Center is accessible in a nearby walk. The rustic sites are a disappointment as they are a tightly spaced, unshaded group of sites placed on a parched mound/hill in the middle of a field. Certainly dreadfully hot during summer days and frightfully exposed and windy during storms. NOTE: Pets and alcohol are not allowed in the campgrounds which may be an inconvenience for some guests, but probably eliminates 90% of the problems most other campgrounds have. The one very serious deterrent is the gun shooting range located near the park. Starting from just before 8:00 AM Sunday morning was a non-stop loud POW, POW, BANG, POW at least every 7 to 10 seconds that continued for many hours. It woke my wife and me up. We left at 11:00 AM and the shooting was still going on. So, despite the nice park, we will not be going there again due to the "war zone" atmosphere.

bill white

Great place to walk and enjoy nature. Mosquitoes were a bit annoying even with bug repellent on. However, with all the rain and relatively no breeze, it was to be expected. Pleased to support it and other parks with our yearly pass.

D Cales

Mostly quiet areas during weekdays with a nice walking trail, horse area, fishing lake, playground and pool during the summer plus more. The portable toilets and trashcans take away from the aesthetics of the park and I personally wish they would open the restrooms and get rid of the portable toilets. Its still a nice park and I would recommend.There is a daily fee of 7.00.

Kristina Dahlblom

Peace of mind field trip. Kids had a great time!!

zohre nemati

This is a big Park Reserve with 2 big lakes and a few smaller. There is also a popular swim pond with even lifeguard during the summer. Several options for camping, a nice paved trail, and a few long hiking trails, together with boat ramps, equestrian area, etc makes this park a nice and enjoyable experience for everyone. 7$ pet vehicle to enter if you don't have an annual pass.

Will Bryan

Great, surprisingly large park on the edge of the metro. Boat launch, fishing pier, various types of camping and an equestrian area... admittedly I haven't done the horse thing here. But this isn't about what I might like, because I don't search my own reviews to make decisions. Man made lake with a full sand beach surrounding is a family favorite.

Mitch Quade

Very nice campground maintained by the County, big camping spots and nice bathrooms and shower. Bring your bikes, there are awesome paved bike trails and mowed hiking trails. They don't allow pets and there is no drinking. Very quiet and family oriented, they also had a large jungle gym for kids to play on.

Sarah Espinoza

Caveat: I have only hiked and skied at Lake Elmo--no camping or swimming. That said... I've debated writing a review on Lake Elmo Park Reserve for a few years. It is a beautiful, often quiet sanctuary just outside of Saint Paul, and I love it just the way it is. The park staff are immeasurably helpful, the prices for an annual parking pass are reasonable, and it is a treat to go to Lake Elmo for the day at any time of year. I try to go earlier in the day on weekdays or catch quiet hours on the weekends: you can see deer, birds, snakes, and small mammals. The trails are great for summer or winter use. The Nordic Center is clean and comfortable. Only criticism/warning is that in the winter the ski traffic picks up on weekday afternoons when school gets out. If you're a slowpoke like me, it can be a little jarring when tens of screaming and singing high schoolers whiz by you.

walter

I have been skiing Lake Elmo Reserve Park for many years. With growth of Woodbury and Lake Elmo, the number of visitors has increased significantly. However, the place is big enough to mitigate the traffic. Generally well maintained, it's no longer primarily a park for skiing in the winter. The varied uses are a challenge to accommodate.

Donna Ryan (D)

Everyone enjoys this park in the summer but my favorite is in the winter-it’s quiet, peaceful and so pretty. The paths are plowed and no one to enjoy nature in the city!

Michael Bloom

Huge wilderness space with miles of lovely and well maintained trails. Different options of difficulty levels and tons of choice "lookout" spots that make the journey adventure-like. Great spot for hikers. This reserve has so much to offer, from boating, beach bumming, camping. Get outside and get some fresh air 😁 …

TheBaconBrotato

First time here. Great little park.

Justin Prokop

First time camping here and it was fun! It was 90 degrees this weekend and the swim pond was perfect for that type of heat. Campgrounds were nice and bathrooms clean. Fishing pier was a great spot for some sunnies.

Jenni Davis

Very clean man made pool and fun for the family! They have 10 big umbrellas for shade and tons of trees. There are also normal bathrooms. Spend the $30 for an annual park pass (that sticks to your windshield)... Otherwise you pay $5 per day.

Christine Keller

We camped in our RV at Lake Elmo Park Reserve the last weekend in June. We are from out of state and had reserved our site 6 months ahead to be here for a family reunion. Sadly, Covid-19 meant no reunion. We decided to come and camp anyway and are so glad we did. This park is a gem. We biked on the paved trails and hiked some of the multi use trails. Some reviewers have noted that the trails aren’t well marked. We took our map and had no problem at all. The location is great. Close to all the cities have to offer if that is of interest and close to Stillwater. We biked the St.Croix scenic loop as well as the Brown’s creek trail in Stillwater. The park is clean and well maintained. We used the restroom facilities and shower facilities in the center of the modern campground. They were very clean and the showers were warm. We also appreciated the friendliness of all the staff here. Very welcoming. We will definitely come back.

Marina Tingblad

I stayed in the rustic camp area and stayed Monday to Wednesday. There were very few other people around the campground. There are a number of porta-potties which were quite clean and relatively pleasent (all things considered). Despite there not being showers at the rustic camp there modern camp is a very short drive away. The showers are nice. The showers and bathrooms are spacious and I got warm water for my shower. Very pleasent for camp facilities. The hiking trails appear to be very well maintained and the decent number of paved trails is a huge bonus! The pavilions and playground appear to be in good shape and well maintained. I saw a number of different songbirds and waterfowl around the campground and on the hiking trails. I also saw rabbits, mice, deer, frogs, fish, and turtles. Overall Lake Elmo Park is a very well maintained and beautiful park. Great place for families!

Scott Walmsley

Nice preserve park. Killer playground for the kiddo. Fishing pier a cool spot with come good fish activity on an ok day. Nice natural areas intermixed with farmland and ponds and marshes. Very nice staffers at the entry station.

Francine Ekstam

Beautiful, clean, and quiet park. Great access to city and river activities. Reasonable price. Just missing water hookups at site, but it works well. Campsites are larger than most and private. Clean, comfortable bathroom and shower sites throughout.

Vickie Lee-Her

Great hiking/biking trails. Campsites are nice and clean. There's a great playground and man-made pool for the kids. Concessions are often closed so come prepared with snacks/food & drinks for your group.

Xavier Salverda

Amazing walking paths and huge playground.

Kirsten Welge

Met up at Lake Elmo park reserve for skiing, games, and snacks. The trails are beautiful, winding through forest and prairie, and well groomed, particularly with the recent snowfall. Skiing after dark was a lovely treat, as their trails are well lit from waist high lamps - good trail illumination that doesn't blind the skiier. Nordic center is clean, large, and comfortable. Great place to visit and kick back with friends!

Raychel

Very clean park and friendly staff. We had a great time! Book in advance for camping, it fills up fast on the weekends! We almost didn't get in but I'm so thankful we did! Thank you Lake Elmo park reserve! 😘 …

Richard Bourn

First-time visitor a few days to go for a bluegrass festival. The park was very nice with small rolling hills, paved bike paths and many open spaces. I will definitely go there again in the future.

Corey Knighton

I love Lake Elmo park preserve as a year round place. In summer I run the trails, hike with my family and geocache. In the fall they have a wonderful bluegrass festival that is free with admission and in the winter they have lighted cross country trails. I am not an ad, those are my experiences and I use the park often year round.

Redfox12 g

Beautiful spot to hike. Not a lot of city noise . My only complaint is that there are not enough markers on the trail to help you through. I wish there were markers when you came to a split in the trail so you know which way is the way you want to go.

Bob Ryan

I was there for a Nordic Ski meet. While I didn't get to see much of the park, I was able to see that the staff was extremely well organized for such a large event.

Chad Pettis

Clean/well maintained, spacious, semi private campsites. The real downside is that they don't allow pets (also paying for vehicles, to me that should be included in camping fee). They have a nice dining area for kids, trails, and accessible boat ramp. Facilities are clean.

Heu Pao Moua

Great park. Water is still a little on the chilly side for swimming. Great fishing at the pier. Open to camp which the weather is awesone at this time of the year, means no mosquitoes in the evenings and nice during the day!

Jovan Knutson

I love this park! It's a hidden gem of a park and rivals many state parks in amenities and scenery.

frank austin

Very good park.quiet, very clean and so is the shower house..Top Notch! Cant say about the fishing but it is an option nice bike and walking trails. Nice playground for the kids and the swimming hole is super swanky complete with life guards.priced just right!

Dustin Olson

The swim pond at Lake Elmo is like a big swimming pool with sand. The water is filtered and chlorinated.

Matt V.

Plenty of space to find something new with each visit.

Matt Horning

This place is great! Man-made swimming area with sand, and life guards on duty. A nice great big playground for kids. Tons of outdoor activities, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, camping. Fun place and affordable,I think the yearly pass is about $30.

John Gustafson

Spacious, private sites

Glenn E. Burns

Great multi use trails!!!

Lorie M

This a large park reserve with a play ground, covered picnic areas, a swimming pond, camping, a boat dock, and miles of trails that you can walk, run, or bike. In these trails you could easily get lost in your thoughts and the beauty of nature without seeing another person for an hour or more.

John McKeague

One of the best parks in or around the cities. Lots of paths and hiking trails. Multiple playgrounds for the kids. 3 separate campgrounds depending on your preferred style. Picnic areas for families and groups. Boat launch access to Lake Elmo and a man made beach and swimming area the was just redone. This place has something for everyone.

Claus Stacy

Great parks for the kids to enjoy ! Their swim hole is refreshing in the summertime ! Camping is fanominal ! Rest areas are clean with hot water to wash the campfire smell and swimhole off ! Great nature walk for you and the whole family enjoyment and many more fun and relaxing things to do and see !! 5 stars all the way for me !!!!

MN Murph

Nice patch of wilderness, out on the trails. Three big playgrounds throughout the park. Two lakes: one with trails, and one for boats. Archery range is sweet. The rustic campground is kinda like camping in a farm field. Spring and fall are best because of bugs; otherwise there's so much water and woods, the bugs get bad in summer; this includes ticks. The swim area, it's big sand beach and picnic area is nice during summer, and it's fun for kids to bike around on the sidewalks even if it's closed.

Anya B

Very nice park with lots of trails. Has permanent course for orienteering. Can purchase laminated map at the office for $4.

laura cloud

This place has over 2300 acres dedicated to conservation. It has wonderfully wide hiking trails which can, and do in some cases, overlap with snowmobile trails and equestrian trails. Rolling hills add another level of exertion for riders, hikers and skiers. Located not far from 694, this Washington county park boasts campsites and a swim pond. The latter has a sandy bottom and is chlorinated yet resembles its name, rather than a swimming pool, which, of itself, would be entirely out of place amidst its Lake Elmo setting.

Christopher McMahon

This is an absolutely beautiful place with plenty of trails for hiking and exploring. There's much more you can do though so I would recommend looking through the Q&A and on the website for more details. It's just an overall good place to visit if you want to get outside and do something.

Leah Charlsen

Always a great place to go for a hike!

Robin Heil

I came here looking for dirt trails to ride my bicycle on, and wasn't disappointed. While some parts of the trail were heavily potholed, in general I could make it by on 35mm tires. But the three other cyclists I saw were all on fatter tires. I rode parts of the Red, Blue, and Purple trails. The Purple trail seemed slightly rougher than the others. There were some flooded spots but I could always get around them. I can't tell you anything else about the parks amenities, but if you're looking to do some cyclocross or light MTB, this is the place.

Sarah Vlasak

My favorite local park, during all points of the year! Trails are well maintained, staff is friendly, and it’s always clean. I enjoy the variety of trails and that many of them are multi-purpose, which is why it’s my go-to park for many activities.

Mike Littler

Fantastic place. Lots of great paved walks around the lakes. The ski center (available year round) is brilliant. Nice place to warm up and get some hot chocolate or coffee (vending machine).

kate day

I love taking the kiddos to all of the park reserves! This one is a little bit of a drive for us, but so worth it! The park is very well taken care of! Can't wait to go again!!

Emily Song

Beautiful, sizable park with lots of hiking trails! They are well-lit for cross country skiing in the winter. The facilities are very nice and are nicer than some state parks.

Joshua Snow

Got here at 8:15am and went to the man made pond we were the first ones there. There was quit a bit of garbage on the beach wich we picked up some of it. The bathrooms were closed?? Seems to me that if the park and swimming area are open then maybe the restrooms should be to. Would have stayed longer but had to go to the bathroom and took a pass on the port a potty. Other than that water was clear and the kids had a good time. Maybe next time the park will pay a little more attention to the details.

MN King1399

Great place to take the family out for a walk. Great trails to go on, you can spend several hours out on the trails. So much things to do out here. We love coming out for the day and spend some time in nature.

Tina Carstens

Camped here and thought it was a great campground. The sites are nice and wooded with space between. Access to the walking trails was lovely. A nice relaxing weekend.

Wendy Fillion

The beach was clean, the staff present and doing their job. Concession food was reasonable. The water in the swimming hole had a lot of trash in it though. Nothing like a cig. butt or bandage floating up to your face.

Matthew Klun

Beautiful park with well marked and maintained trails. The playgrounds are huge and offer a lot of fun places for kids to play and explore. So much adventure, just off of 94

Marc Silverman

This is a beautiful park for a camping experience very close to the twin cities of Mpls and St Paul. The staff here on the otherhand were very unaccomadating for our public service nonprofit organization. They were insistent that we pay $150 just to spend a couple of hours to temporarily set up camp to shoot promotional pictures. The park itself was extremely quiet on this blustery day we were doing this. My question is, why would a County Park paid for by our Tax dollars insist on a new start-up nonprofit organization with limited funding insist on charging a reputabley backed group for trying to improve the homeless situation here in their own county.

Joe Girard

Been a Washington county member for 5 years now. Archery range I use all the time- fishing pier and launch(Awesome fishing) trails- camping- firewood available. So.much fun here I always will go back.

mlinda ek

My son and I went for a walk on one of their many trails. Good conversation with wildlife popping up all around us.

Corey Popp

Great place to walk with dogs. West side of reserve has mixed use trails where LEASHED dogs are welcome. Nice wide paths for social distancing.

Isaac L

Good for casual walks and outdoor pursuits. If you're looking for a park that's nice for a daytrip and offers things to do this is the place for you. If you're looking for a rugged, wild spot to find adventure, there are better spots, even in the local area.

Alyssa Maki

Lots of camping options, feels remote despite being right in the cities.

Megan Wilson

Amazing playground. Fun swimming hole at the man-made pond. Lifeguards present but water gets deep in unexpected places. Use caution and bring more than one adult with a group of kids.

Cindy G

I've always loved lake Elmo. I love they changed the depth of the pond so you can walk from side to side. But I wish they would have kept some picnic tables so we could've had a place to sit and have our picnic lunch. I recommend tbis place to everyone.

Andy Cosgrove

This is a great park for day use (hiking, swimming, biking). The campground is very nice, but I'm puzzled why they don't allow dogs. I do a LOT of camping and have never been to a campground that doesn't allow dogs. Seems a bit pretentious of Washington County to me. We don't ever camp here anymore.

Tiffany York-Kruchten

Staff very unwelcoming to guests... some would say pushy

Rebecca Seppanen

I loved this area! I would definitely go again. There are a lot of trails to walk around. It's a large regional Park with a lot to do. There are cross country trails too. I hiked the south east part of the park when I went.

Holly Anderson

I love coming here with my kids. Its always super clean. This visit was surprisingly empty for how nice it was - so it was even better!

Christian Wilkie

Very attractive natural environment, yet also very accessible to those with disabilities. The lake was very clear when we went and the wildlife was bustling. Features a clean swimming area and ample dining grounds.

Ben Biddle

Campground was quieter than we're used to. It was nice!

Paul K

Nice spacious park, plenty of room do do recreational activities

dustin Nystel

This park is amazing, but their website is almost impossible to use for reservations. State parks allow you to pick specific spots and most offer panoramic pictures of each site. Good luck even navigating to a spot to reserve a spot at this park. If you want a group site your completely out of luck.

Holly Colemer

Clean park and playground is huge for kids to play on. The swimming pond is great and has lifeguards and hourly checks for safety. Picnic tables and lots of rooms for blankets too.

mastiff2921

This place is good. I like camping here, not a lot of privacy between sites but so close to home that it great. We bring the boat and fish Lake Elmo in the morning before the crazy tubers start up at 1200. It would be nice to see more of a presence from the WashCo Sherri

Lance Johnson

Love this place. Very clean park. Trails are easy to maneuver. Maps and arrows everywhere helping out. Clean trails easy to run on.

Joe O'Brien

Lighted Nordic Ski Trail, very nice. Easy Parking close to the trail. Clean park building with public restrooms. Very Nice location. Great for walks when there is no snow.

Mike Graf

Awesome place to get outside and do some walking, fishing, cross country skiing and other outdoor activities. Great trail system to take advantage. There is an entry fee but once you get in there, you'll quickly see it is worth it.

Cathy Haden

One of the best parks in the twin cities! Trails that's are paved and grass. Clean and gorgeous! One of the top 10 playgrounds in town too. Go here alone or with the whole family!

Kimberly Danneker

Beautiful area....great for family fun

Ross Diller

I have every trail and permanent landmark in Lake Elmo Park Reserve memorized. I first used the existing Nordic skiing trail system in the winter of 1993, when the only available shelter with any form of heat was the snowshoe building adjacent to the parking of the Eagle Point ( red loop ) trail. Signs posted at the modern Nordic center detail how funding for the lighted trail system ( building, parking lot, etc. ) was attained. I cannot stress the following enough: please adhere to the posted rules when using the *groomed* cross-country ski trails. This means, if there is any white stuff on the ground at all ( especially if it's groomed with a very expensive machine from Sweden that I helped to lobby for very in a very small way while employed with Washington County Parks ), you are not to travel the aforementioned surface with anything other than a ski. I watched several "I'm a taxpayer that thinks I'm somehow special and my stubborn political stance affords me to act in an unethical manner when I deem it appropriate" law-infracting patrons saunter out onto gleaming white corduroy with multiple large, unleashed dogs and heavy boots which immediately damaged the skiing surface for at least 40+ skiers on that particular night. Remember that ticket that showed up in the mail, cupcake? That was because I care about my community, and I'll not have you disobey a state law, seeing as I, by myself, or with the help of others, spent 6 months of my existence maintaining these trails, specifically. Washington County law enforcement will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have while you're trying to convince them that you're special, to the point where you believe that vandalism of a State park is not punishable by law. Do not mess with Lake Elmo Park Reserve. If you find my review ( and subsequent ultimatum ) to be too scathing, you would not want to converse with me in person. If you have any sincere questions about the park, and you happen to meet me in passing, I'll be happy to answer your inquiries.

Kelsey Dunlevy

The park reserve offers a lot of family-friendly activities--the giant playground, the swimming pond, fishing on the lake, trails, camping, etc. Opt for the yearly pass instead of the daily pass because 1. You'll be back and 2. It's worth it!

Richard Narjes

Nice park. Swimming hole has filtration and large playground. Camping area doesn't allow pets

Matt Prom

I never realized how large this park is!! There are also so many activities for kids (ie., man made lake for swimming, huge playground, and easy access to the open lakes for fishing/activities). There are also lots of trails for running/biking/walking.

Nicola Zeien (UK to USA to UK mum)

The best place to laze about in summer by the most beautifully maintained swimming pond. Many playgrounds for the kids, beautiful trails and winter activities like snow shoeing and cross country skiing!

Joe C

Great place to get out and walk for exercise. There's miles of trails to choose from. Just watch out for occasional horse dookie landmines and bring water - cause you sure don't want to have to sip from the poisonous chemical Lake Elmo water system !

Terry Knight

RV camping sites are level, gravel, 30 amp use of central waste dump station required. Quiet and safe.

Rochelle Lindow

Awesome hiking, easy to moderate trails..Had a good 7 mile workout on a beautiful day.

John Barnett

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is a must see go-to location to see fall colors. The variety of trees makes the scenery amazing any time of the year. Go and watch the growing season evolve.

Jolene Cady

Very nice swimming "pond" very shallow which is great for little ones. Every 30 minute safety check is kinda a double edged sword.

Britany Benoit

The showers are great, the bathrooms are clean, the campsites are well maintained. They are highly "policed" by the staff to reduce riff raff which can be good or bad. If i had to camp in the area again, i would do it here.

Yung Yip

Hidden gem on the east side. Rarely busy, well maintained and staffed. Besides the boat launch and water play ground, there are miles of mixed use hiking/biking trails. Lots of egrets and cranes.

Guiding Mike

We camped. Nice park and clean, but, early Sunday morning 8:00 AM (earlier?) the nearby gun club started shooting. POW POW POW BANG POW. Every 7 seconds or so loud shooting non-stop. It lasted for hours. We finally left. Not going back.

Betanya Tefera

It was fun. It have a swimming pond. A playground. A area u can sit,talk and eat. It was the best. The best place in that area or half of Minnesota. If anyone is reading this u should go there. Or have a family reunion there.

Aishya Blackwell

I only gave it a four-star because I wish we could BBQ closer to the water like it used to be but other than that I love the place. They should at least allow small grills by the swim area

Jodie Knuteson

Sandy Beach surrounds man-made pond filled with filtered water. Large playground area. Ample green space for picnics and play. Pond is 4' deep in the middle.

Janel Ben

It was my first time Camping & I had a great time!!

Bryan Wilhelm

Lots to do swim Play Camp Fish. Hike walk Ride horses

heidi b

We saw so many random brids and animals ovef the week here ! The place is super clean and the staff are very kind and helpful. The kids love that the campground trails are paved so they can bike well !

DC Musgrove

Great regional park. The Nordic Business Center looked pretty new and offered excellent wifi. The prices in the park for RV camping were good, but you should expect electric only (30A) with good dump site close in the modern camping section and fill your tanks for fresh water as none of the sites offer water. The park is really the reason to come here. It's gorgeous and pretty much an oasis near downtown Minneapolis-St. Paul. It's just outside Woodbury, which is a really cool and upscale community. Good dining opps everywhere and big brand shopping. Then back to nature at Lake Elmo so you feel like you're in a nature retreat. Will definitely come here again when we next pass through the Twin Cities area.

Gay Boden

It's a really nice county "park!" Walking/biking path, playground area, lake for fishing/boating, wildlife, "modern" campsites, "primitive" campsites, peaceful, quiet -- it's great!!

annie

this is a really cool park w/ tons of trails to walk on, a swimming hole, and a massive playground. great place for kids :)

Genny Grilli

Just as good as I remember when I was a kid! Our only (minor) complaint was the cost of fire wood. $6/bundle is a little high. Otherwise it was great! Looking forward to coming again.

schlick mick

Very nice modern campground. Clean restrooms and showers. Walking trails, biking trails, swim area, boat ramp on Lake Elmo. Well worth a visit. You'll need a daily or annual permit.

Kim Cairns

Another great park! Extensive trails, new swim pond, lots of play structures, lit cross country ski trails in the winter, fishing, kayaking, camping, horseback riding. They offer so much to everyone!

Kelly Anderson

Not only is the park beautiful but they maintain the trail so there is no ice or snow on it and that makes it a wonderful place to walk during the winter :-)

Matt Sauer

Awesome park! We used the playground area and walking trails. Will definitely go back for the fishing pier and bike trails

Anne Ulrich

Pretty nice! Cost $7 and sometime trail markings were unclear, but farm scenery made up for it. Really enjoyed my walk here!

Brandy Picking

This is Are ZEN place we love it here it's amazing our dog's love it our mom grandma kids ect so beautiful....

Jon Robbins

Awesome escape within the twin cities. We do not live very far from the park and we do a yearly camp trip here. Lots of family friendly actives and well maintained campground.

w

Great beach! Multiple nice playgrounds. Sprawling.

SAINTPAULPAUL

Best kept secret until Covid, now everybody knows about it. Oh well, I visit at low-volume times as I only live 5 minutes away.

Tim Dunbar

Has some nice ski trails that are good for skate skiing when there is good natural snow. Some rather flat sections that are good for practicing technique and some small hills to keep things interesting.

Tracey Dickinson

Great park. Went camping here. Big private sites. Nice bath house with hot showers. Will camp here again!

jeremy stonemark

A great place to go hiking and mountain biking. Plenty of paved trails and off road trails. The visitor center is extremely nice and has clean modern bathrooms.

Sharon Edell

Beautiful County Park with trails, boat dock, play structures for kids. Camping areas include full hookups sites as well as what is called "rustic camping."

Hannah Wethern

Clean place and friendly people. Its a good place to walk your dogs or just explore also has a many other things. Only downside is that there is not a place to bring your dogs swimming to cool off.

Yoli Haltenhof

It’s beautiful only I wasn’t expecting horses on the hiking trail. You must hike watching where you step. This takes away a lot of enjoyment. This particular trail will never do again.

Steve Eckerman

Great swimming area for young kids with changing rooms and outdoor showers at the pond. Also lifeguards and a concession stand for certain hours. Large playground across the parking lot from the swimming pond

Kim MacDonald

The preserve has a very extensive trail system, great for hiking. During the winter the trails are used for skiing. On the preserve is a very nice campground with facilities.

Will P

Beautiful place to enjoy the natural beauty this area has to offer.

Daniel Harris

A Very Nice park...good value and pretty convenient to St. Paul. Big CV campsites, so does not feel crowded even if the park is full. Loses a star for no WiFi

Jeffrey Scott

the grounds are fantastic. swimming, playgrounds, walking paths...we even had our wedding reception at one of the shelters. top notch all around.

Joel Mueller

This is a great place to swim if you like chlorinated, outdoor man made lakes. There is also a large playground with multiple climbing structures available

Seeking “The” Truth

Beautiful parklands in this Reserve. If you are looking for a campground that feels secure this place is great. Close to the Twin Cities of St Paul & Minneapolis.

Dave Locke

Wow what a nice campground. Clean, well manicured, sites are well spaced. A bit too expensive, but they've invested the fees into a nice "retreat."

amos smith

Great lake that doesn't get to busy due to enforcement of capacity boat trailer parking. Also has some great camp sites for those wanting to escape the city without going very far.

Manuel Dominguez

Very nice park, great center for hosting events as well.

Siri Ruecker

Amazing paths that are very well kept! I take my dog here all the time and he loves it!

rochelle love

Beautiful quiet location with miles of trails and varied landscape. Archery range, swimming pond, fishing, playground and camping are some of the amenities offered.

Annette Pines

Nice park, but expensive. I was surprised at the price. My app told me that camping was $29.00. I did not expect to have to pay an additional $7.00 to enter the park. For that price I could have gone to a park with full hookups.

Samantha Schäfer

Very beautiful place to spend the day or a few hours !

Lizabeth Kyser

We always recommend Lake Elmo for a beginning camping experience in the twin cities. Nice biking paths, fun swim pond, and fun playgrounds. It's a gem!

Debbie S

Great hiking trails!

Mohamad Khouli

Great place for grilling, swimming and hiking!!

Dylan Scherer

Love this park! Lots of wildlife, varied terrain, and extremely well kept. Miles and miles of great trails and dog friendly.

Derrick Lundberg

Check in before closing to get a gate card, non-electric sites are $23/night and $7/vehicle. Haven't actually been there yet, but just called for information and customer service was spectacular!

Jo Leritz

Awesome sites, family friendly, camp hosts were friendly, kids enjoyed the Saturday night event. However, we were not pleased with the no pet policy since we saw many dogs and they were NOT service dogs!

Sue Aguirre

My very favorite park to visit. I enjoy the walking trails and appreciate the man-made swim pond. A great place for a family outing.

Alison H

Heavenly on a nice summer day. We went on a weekday and were able to find quiet places to enjoy as a family throughout the park.

Nate Fredericks

Well maintained walking trails, wonderful playground areas, open pavilions and more. Overall a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.

liz biagi

Large green space with paved bike + walking trails, pavilions, picnic tables, fishing pier, play structures, camping facilities, swimming pond ( currently closed). Need permit for entrance. Close to city.

Margot Schwamb

A lovely park with ample space for a picnic and to kick a ball around. Plenty of picnic tables and grills; trails to walk, bike or horse ride; and fish. It has it all.

John Burrell

Nice place for a trail run. If I lived closer, I would definitely get a year pass.

Eric Gottfried

Their synthetic lake/pool is the best use of the parking pass for the year ever! My kids and I love it so much!

Lexi LeVasseur

Kinda muddy, but it was a fun experience. I guess that was to be expected when going in the springtime. lol

Rebecca Tschida

Love this place. Never been here before. Clean and friendly. It definately could use more umbrellas as shade is fought over

A L

There were not a lot of places to sit because it was crowded. It has a nice playground and a lot of lifeguards on duty.

Sarah Knorn-Rivard

Great place to hike and run. Watch out for poo, as your sharing trails with horses and dogs! Swim area for kids, and camping/picnic areas available.

Mustafa Kemal Ozturk

We had a very short visit. We will come back!

S Kersten

Great green space and park in metro area with walking trails in summer and nordic skiing in winter, amongst many other options.

Steve Kummer

Nice facilities! They have a campground, trails, playground, swimming hole, etc. All around nice park and well maintained.

Natasha Aune

Beautifully lit and maintained trails after a few days of snowfall!

Jordan Bevic

Bike trail mostly scenic and fun, but lots of cracks. Fairly short, but an OK hour.

Drew Loeffler

This is an amazing park. The grass is always short on the trails, the fishing pier has a nice view of the lake, and the campsites are well maintained.

Laura Kohn

So many trails and walks! Can't wait to come in the summer and use the park more!

Jason Hedlund

Incredible and beautiful park with lots of ski trails (classic and skate). This is what I primarily use the park for, but I've gone birding and running here as well.

Stephen Smith

Very well maintained preserve. Paths are vehicle wide and can become a bit muddy. Trails are well marked

Bobby Cerza

It is a beautiful park with some gorgeous scenery although the only downside is you do have to pay a small fee to enter.

Teresa Bee

Well groomed trails while still maintaining a real outdoors experience. Nicely kept restrooms and clean picnic areas.

Niki Anderson

This park is great. We camp here, we go to the swimming pond as well as winter trails and activities. Kids love it!

Jeremy Peterson

A great park, even when the parking areas seem busy, the trails are quiet. The swimming area can get crowded but is a pretty cool spot.

WHITEHOUSE REPORT

Scenic and calm lake good for RV camping, fishing and relaxing. Only electric hook up. Damping and water refilling is in other station. Need to move your RV.

Nicholas C-M

Nice park, great scenery, and good trails. 4 out of 5, it is a very good park.

Nazar Ibrahim

Best experience ever

patrick K

Bring some water, hit the trails. Enjoy the park, archery range, boat launch and many miles of trails.

Richard McCulloch

$7/day or $30/yearly pass. Go 5 times in a year and you made your moneys worth. Amazing trails, great scenery, and nice helpful staff

Chad Schrandt

Gorgeous landscapes, great hikes, great playground, lake accessible, exciting campsites, what else do you want?

Jbright Adofoli

It’s always nice coming out here. Lots n lots of fun. Camping, fishing and swimming at the pond with kids. My kids always have a blast coming out here.

Tatiana Williams

Been coming here since a kid now I'm taking my kids

Andrea Ennis

A bit of wilderness right outside the cities. Camping, hiking, swimming. Run by Washington County, it's not quite state park-level outdoor recreation, but it's probably the closest camping to Saint Paul.

Mathias Baden

The family heads here for events at the Nordic Center, the playground, and the beach & lake! Great upgrade a couple years back. We will return again and again.

Lauren Yeager

Great place to hike with lots of trails. Has lighted cross country ski trails at night

Catrina Chamberlin

I am going to be camping there at the end of the month and I can't wait to see how much fun it will be and I can just enjoy all of the peace and quiet for four wonderful day and three days of looking at the 🌟 and enjoying the weather …

Osama SALEM

Great park for the whole family

Christina Wahlberg

Always love this park. Trails and paved paths available year round, large, lots of wildlife, picnic areas, fishing, swimming hole...

Eileen Cortez

Is so beautiful the nature.

Hugh Murphy

What an amazing place. Kayaking is our thing, which we do from the boat launch area, but the trails and kids play areas are also amazing.

stephanie johnson

Always delightful setting to get out into nature. Kind patrons. Multiple trails and paths to offer something for everyone.

Ajdin Kahric

Big park, many beautiful trails that vary in difficulties marked by different colors. Its got a camping area, grilling area, and even a swimming area!

Nicholas Walter (Nick)

I enjoyed the nice pond they have there. It was great to swim in and there were life guards to ensure people stay safe.

John Balza

This is a great country park. We camp here when we visit family north of St. Paul. Trails, bike paths, swimming are all available.

Carol L

Very nice campground. Camping spots are spacious and private. Felt safe. Easily accessible to the highway.

Quentin Ikuta

Absolutely wonderful year-round recreation. I’ve skied, hiked, biked, shot archery, and camped at LEPR. An absolute gem of a park.

Gaile Sinn

This is an excellent location to go hiking, running, walking and just spend time in nature! There are lakes and you can even camp here as well.

Stephanie Allen

Beautiful space to RV camp and can’t beat the price. Newly remodeled playground and tons of bike trails.

Jenn Kilmurray

A great park with a super nice play area. Pack a picnic. :)

Nai Vasha H

Nice little get away $5 to park.

Lukas Johnson

Great park with plenty to do with the whole family or just yourself. Doesn't matter if it is winter, spring, summer or fall!

Princstress P

Great place for families, especially with young kids. Water only gets as deep as 5 ft. Lifeguards are on duty.

adah lindquist

I love the park, it's close to where we live. The trails are nice and its dog friendly.

Angela Sadat

So much wildlife to see here! An excellent spot for birding, camping, biking, hiking... you name it!

Trish B

Clean facilities and quiet camp ground! Trails are very well maintained.

Stephen Rosenmeier

The Washington County Park system is an outstanding resource for the community. This and the St Croix Regional Park are my own favorite destinations.

Chris Grubb

Very nice campground, big spaces and lots of play areas

christina noren

Lots of space, very well kept, good trails, camping, rv, lakes ,boat launches, bird watching, playground and pavillions

Dan Cunningham

Good camping. Really enjoyed the time there and the trails are nice as well

Rae S

Great beach for the kiddos! Safe and clean. Our favorite beach!

Jacob Seaton

Such a clean and well kept campground with at least a little walk between each site

J Meyer

First time from the new parking lot, great little hike, good terrain, well groomed trail.

George Cave

Some lady stopped so lecture us about dogs chasing deer and disrupting nature as snowmobiles blazed on by? Not sure how that works but love park not some of the liberal big mouths i encounter there from time to time

Mark Angerhofer

Great Washington county park, clean, good people, Good lake for kayaking ect. The trails are good and always wildlife.

The Learned Idiot

This place has something for everyone. The amount of effort staff and patrons alike, put into making this reserve a nice place to be is amazing.

Blanca Ojeda

This is one of my favorite places to go because they offer many things to do if you like outdoors. Biking, walking, hiking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, campaign and many more things you can do.......

Heather Hampton

The beach is great for the summer along with biking & hiking. Cross country skiing in the winter with lighted trails.

Matthew Thompson

So many different things to do at this park you would think it's a state park. The beach pool alone is worth the price of admission.

Travis Noll

Cute rolling hills on the green hiking trail out of the nordic center. No bugs on a brisk October afternoon.

Kathryn Hauser

Fun events happen here and the layout is really large and open. So much to do! The man-made lake park is awesome!

Michelle Louisa

This is an amazing park, with a great beach/ lake, good archery range, grill area, and more;

Jeffrey Fortuna

Clear water, nice public launch. Lillypad flowers were out while we were there and saw a few nice size bass!

M. W. (Maggie)

Always beautiful, clean and well groomed! Great place for walks, fishing, swimming and exploring.

Natalie Jones

Great place to go for a family fun day outside. Nice swimming pond, park and trails.

Kay Ru Htoo

Very big space to visit and explore. I went more time then I can count but still have not explore all side of the park.

not used

Lovely place to commune with nature, walk, hike, bike, ski, boat, swim. $7 day pass $30 annual

Tina Burke

Perfect place for our 2, 4, and 6 year old. Easy parking and nice to have a kiosk to get snacks and ice cream.

mary palmer

Amazing place to go hiking. So many trails..

Kristin S

It's a nature treasure buried just outside brick city. A great place to escape the busy hustle of every day.

Chuck Magnuson

Nice and pleasant park we had it to our selves that day. Very nice

Caela Carlstedt

Great place to walk the dog. Lots of scenic trails that offer quiet places.

Carolyn Epling

The camping is great here! Beautiful spots to stay and the bathrooms are pretty conveniently located.

Bob Melson

This is a very nice park. Not crowded, bathrooms are available, shelters, camping, rustic or improved.Not crowded during the week. Not sure about weekends

Sheenah

Great Minnesota destination for camping and fishing. Not for swimming, theres a fake lake! Only minutes away from the city.

Marcy Beard

Enjoyed our stay at the rustic campground; also running on the trails and trying out their orienteering course

Adam Dixon

Brought the kids to the swim pond and decided to get an annual pass on the way out. Will be going there every chance possible!

Dan Zugschwert

A wonderful place with lots of trails, boating camping, swimming and parks.

Amir Almog

Great trails for horse riding. Easy parking for the trailer

Rebecca Sorensen

Clean place, beautiful scenery, great family activities. Definitely going to camp there again.

Jennifer Storkamp (Jennifer)

Lovely, well lit hiking trails all year round.

Bruce Frericks

One of the best camping areas. Well maintained, clean with everything you will need!

Peter Kim

Check out the swimming pond -- great place for a picnic/get together. Awesome place to bring your kids.

Nicole Hessler

Love this place cool park n swimming hole! They have lifeguards you can buy a day pass or yr for cheap!!

BBOSCH WEST SIDE

This is a true hidden gem. Cranes. Bluegrass. Bonfire's

Panra Moua

Very small man made pool. Has gotten smaller over the years; probably because there has been so many incidents happening the past few years. Always very crowded.

Dhanarajan Sugumar

Nice park.. kids enjoy pond lake .. you can enjoy great 4 trails

brandon larsen

Best park too hike around on the east side of the cities, tons of open land

Diane Zuspann

Great place to watch nature. Watch out for the deer, especially at dawn and dusk.

Adam Lemke

Beautiful park with a nicd, man made pool. Great grilling area for all families.

Summer Xiong

Great camp sites and love the beach area.

Amber Lamb

It's fun and nice but people dig random holes in the water and kids can almost drown.

Alexandra Graen

We love this park! Always very clean and well-maintained.

Nick Lane

Great trails and the kids loved the playgrounds (so many playgrounds!)

Adam Reinke

Lots of hiking trials, can get busy on nice days

Tom N

Very cool place to visit and the staff are very helpful and friendly

Izzie (Izzie)

Great for families with kids. A variety of campgrounds for different camping types.

Benjamin Nugent

A great place to take the kids and awesome camping just minutes from the city.

MJ S

This park has a lot of unique amenities, including an archery range and horse riding area.

Valarie Miller

Love what they've done to the Beach. Also like the paths and all of the seating along the paths love it!!

Anthony Levine

Beautiful park. Always fun to visit.

Brian Dall

We had a group of Scouts out doing some of the Orienteering course. The facilities and trails were in great shape.

Shawn Reynolds

Beautiful park. Only complaint would be that my dog can't camp with us!

Rachel McDonald

Sandhill Cranes, nice bike trails, archery, clean playgrounds, lots of open green space, AND a lake!

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