Way back when our family had first started camping together and just started our passport, one of the first parks we set our sights at was Fort Snelling. This is a day use only park that has an extensive yet cozy visitor center, two picnic areas with amazing views, and a quick and fun Hiking Club Trail. If you have the time and are willing to pay an additional fee, you can also visit the historical site of Fort Snelling that is right next to the park and run by the Minnesota Historical Society, but we did not get a chance to do this on our visit. We had an amazing time at Fort Snelling and it really energized us as we began our State Park Passport journey.
The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center
Upon entering the state park, we started our exploration at the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center. I love this style of visitor center and it gives me vibes from exploring state parks as a kid. We watched the video that was currently on display at the time and learned more about the park from the permanent displays as well. You can see from the image above that they also had a temporary art competition display that the kiddos really enjoyed looking at. There is also a small nature store with all the usual items and indoor bathrooms. I would highly recommend stopping here first as it gives you an historical context for the park as a whole and is really cool to explore.
Stop for A Bite to Eat
We had no idea going in how beautiful the picnic areas would be. We still talk about the view and how nice this picnic space was compared to other parks we are visiting. There is ample parking and the individual areas are well spread out to allow kiddos space to run while things get prepped back at the table. As this was a day trip for us, we went a bit fancier for our meal than we normally would because we could leave everything in the car before heading out on the hike. Honestly, even if you just need a place to sit and eat lunch in the cities, go here! There are two different options to pick from, so if one area is full, you can always check the other area.
Hiking the Pike Island Trail
For such a small park without out camping Fort Snelling actually has quite a few options for hiking. We only did the hiking club trail here but loved every second of it. By doing the longest version of the Pike Island trail, we got to visit the convergence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers and observe the shore line of both rivers from many perspectives. If this trail is any indication of the quality of the other available trails, you will not be disappointed. The hike was fairly level and easy to hike with fun overlook areas to stop at for a break here and there. You do need to be aware of river levels and any trail closures due to flooding, but you can keep track of it on the park’s main page. If you do the Pike Island Trail, make sure to take a moment to examine the flood stick (pictured below) and marvel at just how high the rivers have gone in flood years.
A Hidden Gem Within the Twin Cities
Fort Snelling is truly a hidden gem, it is worth every second of your time and I do not often say that! We had a blast exploring this park and I am sure you will enjoy it as well. The amenities are fantastic and set against beautiful backdrops and the trails are a great way to dip your toe into the hiking trails offered by the state park system. If you are not local to the area, this park is worth a day trip to see such a beautiful location hidden within The Cities. I would recommend packing a lunch and heading over for a quiet and beautiful day in nature. Let me know in the comments below if you have made the trip and what you thought!
