About Elm Creek Park Reserve
Address: 12400 James Deane Parkway, Maple Grove, MN 55369
If there’s one thing Minnesotans are known for, it is weathering the weather, whatever the weather may be. Throughout our long, seemingly endless winters, we take advantage of the snow and ice with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And when the spring thaw begins, we continue to enjoy the outdoors by paddling and canoeing our famed 10,000 lakes, hiking and biking our fabulous parks, and soaking up the sunshine on leisurely walks. Elm Creek Park Reserve is one of the most popular in the Three Rivers Park District because it is a place you can enjoy year-round, regardless of the season or the temperature outside.
Something for everyone
Elm Creek Park Reserve’s Instagram bio dubs it “5,000 acres of fun,” and they aren’t lying. Elm Creek is the largest in the Three Rivers Park District, and it has the activities and attractions to match its size. It is well-known for its offerings throughout the winter, like tubing and downhill and cross-country skiing.
When the weather turns warmer, their swim pond opens up. It has all the amenities families need, such as a lifeguard station, concessions, and bathroom/changing areas. The swim pond is also chlorinated and filtered.
If you prefer to spend the day on dry land, Elm Creek claims to have one of the largest play areas in the state and offers a 30-acre archery range that is open year-round. Elm Creek also has several camper cabins and group campsites that can be reserved in advance. On top of all that, there’s disc golf, an area for mountain biking, a designated trail for horseback riding, AND a chalet where you can host a wedding. This place truly has it all.
Nature Education
The Eastman Nature Center is stunningly beautiful from the outside, located right in the middle of a maple forest. But what happens in and around the nature center is truly special. Eastman has a team of dedicated naturalists and hosts a wide array of nature-themed events tailored for families, including story hours and puppet shows.
The Nature Center hosts Free Family Funday Sunday programs each week. A recent event focused on the park’s beavers, so kids stopped in the Nature Center to learn about the animal, before heading outside to try and spot the elusive rodent. No registration is needed for the Funday Sunday events, and families can drop in anytime from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastman Nature Center also offers outdoor education programs for preschool to school-aged kids.
Elm Creek Park Reserve Highlights
- 4,900-acre park reserve featuring hiking and biking trails, a nature center, a swimming pond, play areas, and a wide array of wildlife
- Cost: Entry to the park reserve is free, but rentals, lessons, and specific activities come with a fee
- Variety of weekly events, including guided hikes and story hours
- Free Family Funday Sunday programs each week from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Related Article: I can camp! programs through Minnesota DNR
Know Before You Go
- Website
- Hours: Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Programs and events updated here: https://www.threeriversparks.org/programs#elmcreek
- Follow their social media sites for special events and updates on attractions.
Mary McGuire is a mother of two young girls and freelance journalist based in the Twin Cities. Her current interests include searching for lost pacifiers, cleaning up crushed Cheerios, and sharing everything our great state has to offer with other families. Born and raised in Edina, Mary has worked in broadcast television for more than a decade at TV stations across the country.
