Explore the Wild Beauty of Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Address: 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123
About Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Clocking in at nearly 2,000 acres, Lebanon Hills is the largest park in Dakota County and one of its most beloved for its endless, year-round recreation opportunities. Although it is technically located within the Twin Cities Metro, you genuinely feel like you are a world away at this park with all its vast and wild beauty. There are miles upon miles of trails to hike and bike, and numerous lakes to either jump into or skate through, depending on the season. The park also hosts several events throughout the year, enticing visitors to get out and explore nature, whatever the weather may be.
Hiking, Biking, and Water Fun
In sunshine or in snow, Lebanon Hills is a fantastic place to get outside and explore. The park consists of many trails through its grasslands, wetlands, forests, lakes, and ponds. Whether you only have time for a quick walk or can stay for a longer hike, there’s always something new to discover. If one of your family members uses a wheelchair, Lebanon Hills is one metro park that offers all-terrain track chairs to rent for free. It’s also one of the few parks in the area that allows horseback riding!
Throughout the summer, it’s a popular place to camp, kayak, canoe, or picnic, and it has kids’ playgrounds. When there’s snow on the ground, cross-country skiers, kick-sledders, and snowshoers flock to the park to take advantage of their trails. Ice skating and ice fishing are also allowed on some of the park’s lakes if the conditions are right on Schulze Lake.
A great place to start or end your visit is at the park’s visitor center, where you can rent equipment, find maps and information, use the restroom, and find the family-friendly sledding hill.
Sledding Hill
Lebanon Hills is known for its sledding hill, which was designed with younger children in mind. It’s not super steep, so it lets kids and families of all ages enjoy the fun of sledding. The 150-foot-long hill is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the winter when at least 2-3 inches of snow is on the ground.
Special Events
One magical tradition at Lebanon Hills is their Trails By Lantern Light event, where you can bundle up and enjoy a winter stroll through the park by lantern light. The lanterns will be on daily from December 21st through January 4th at the Schulze Lake Loop.
The park is host an annual Family New Year’s Eve Party, where the ball will drop in celebration at 7:59 p.m. The event features bonfires, skating, sledding, food trucks, delicious s’mores, and hot cocoa—tickets at $8 per person, with kids ages 5 and under getting in for free.
Lebanon Regional Park Highlights
- 2,000-acre park offering year-round recreation, miles of trails, numerous lakes, and opportunities for environmental educations
- Cross-country skiing and sledding hill
- Ice skating and ice fishing
- Hiking trails
- Calendar of events
- Cross-country ski, snowshoe, and kick sled rentals available
Know Before You Go
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park Website
- Hours: Open Daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Admission and parking are free
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. She was born and raised in Edina, Mary has worked in broadcast television for more than a decade at TV stations across the country.
