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Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Admission Fee

Vehicle permits are required on all vehicles entering the park.

Documents

Lake Elmo Park Reserve Winter Trails Map (PDF)

Lake Elmo Park Reserve Summer Trails Map (PDF)

Lake Elmo Park Reserve Winter Trail East Side Map (PDF)

Lake Elmo Park Reserve Summer Trails East Side Map (PDF)

Lake Elmo Park Reserve Campground Maps

Other Link Learn more about Washington County Parks.

Features

  1. Archery
  2. Bicycling
  3. Camping
  4. Canoe/Kayak Launch
  5. Cross Country Ski Trails
  6. Equestrian Trails
  7. Fishing Pier
  8. Grilling Area
  9. Hiking Trails
  10. Motorized Boat Launch
  11. Mountain Bike/Fat Tire Biking
  12. Orienteering
  13. Paved Trails
  14. Pavilion
  15. Picnic Kits
  16. Playground
  17. Snowmobile Trails
  18. Snowshoe/Ski Rentals
  19. Swim Pond

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is 2,165 acres (3 ½ square miles) with 80 percent of its acreage set aside for preservation and protection. This portion will eventually resemble the land as it was prior to the arrival of the settlers in the mid-1800s. This park reserve offers gently rolling hills with a variety of landscape types, including forest and prairie. Watch for pheasants, weasels, red fox, woodpeckers, cardinals, cottontail rabbits, squirrels and white-tailed deer.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve has a fishing pier on the southwest side of Lake Elmo. There is also a motorized boat launch with 20 trailer spaces available if you are looking to launch a boat. The launch is open to winter access and has open speed from noon to sunset. Boat launch hours are 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.

There are several play areas located throughout Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The largest "destination" play area is actually four separate play areas installed in one general location. There are slides, swings, tunnels, and more. Each of the two reservation picnic areas also has a play area. The campground has one play area, too.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve also features a beautiful campground. Find a campsite that suits your needs, from sites with electric and water hook-ups, to group sites, and rustic hike-in sites.

Notice: Park remains open when the Park Office Building is closed in observance of a holiday. 

Park Office Building will be closed in 2023:

  • January 16  - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • February 20 - Presidents Day
  • April 9 - Easter
  • September 4 - Labor Day
  • November 11 - Veterans Day
  • November 12 - day after Veterans Day
  • November 23 - Thanksgiving
  • November 24 - day after Thanksgiving
  • December 25 - Christmas
  • January 1, 2024 - New Year's Day

Equestrian Trails

Currently open, but the trails close when the park shifts into winter trail operations.

Swim Pond

Closed now until Summer of 2024.

Subfacilities

  1. Nordic Center

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