5 Minnesota Dams to Explore with Kids

Small girl marveling over Coon Rapids Dam at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park

If you are looking for something a little different to do with your kids this week, if you are in the mood to learn about energy and the environment and science, or if you just need an outing idea, what about visiting nearby Minnesota dams?

Usually there isn’t a cost to visit and some of them you can see up close or even walk across. Bring the fun home by creating your own dams in your backyard or try some of these other dam fun activities from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials.

Because dams are often built on or near natural waterfalls, you’ll find some crossover between our two lists.

Minnesota Dams Near the Twin Cities

Coon Rapids Dam

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, 9750 Egret Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, 10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444

Fun Facts:

  • The dam was completed in 1914 .
  • There is an old power house on the east shore.  It contains a pump, a live-in space for the superintendent, and a garage.

Family Fun at Coon Rapids Dam

  • If you are visiting from the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park side, you will find observation areas and a playground for kids. Anoka County requires a vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/year).
  • If you visit from the Mississippi Gateway Regional Park side you will find a visitor center and nature playground. There is no vehicle fee.
  • Both parks offer hiking opportunities.
Small girl marveling over Coon Rapids Dam at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
Coon Rapids Dam

Lock and Dam 1

 5000 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Fun Facts:

  • This Lock and Dam was completed in 1917, reconstructed and rehabilitated several times.

Family Fun at Lock and Dam 1:

  • The visitor center is open to the public daily from 9am-5pm.
  • You may see pelicans, bald eagles and peregrine falcons while viewing the Mississippi River during your visit.
  • Look for FREE walking tours of the lock and dam, where rangers will explain the history of the river, milling, and other dam-related topics.
  • Kids participating in the National Park Service Passport Program, can get their passports stamped during the visit.
  •  Families can get a hands-on perspective of a working lock and dam during self-guided exploration of the visitor center.
  • More Nearby Family Fun: Wabun Picnic Area & Wading Pool in Minnehaha Falls Park, Minneapolis.

St. Anthony Falls Upper Dam

1 Portland Avenue Minneapolis

Fun Facts:

  • The flour milling industry exploded along the Mississippi River (both figuratively and literally — with a big explosion in the Washburn A Mill Explosion on May 2, 1878)
  • According the the National Park Service, The St. Anthony Falls Hydroelectric Project was the first commercial hydroelectric generation station in the United States and generates 14 megawatts of electricity.

Family Fun at St. Anthony Falls Upper Dam:

  • The visitor center is open to the public daily from 10am-4pm Memorial Day through late September. Closed in the winter months.
  • FREE! Admission and Tours (11 am and 2 pm and limited to 10 people)
  • More Family Fun: 10 Things for Kids: Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.

Lock and Dam on MIssissippi River

St. Anthony Falls Lower Dam

1875 West River Parkway, Minneapolis MN 55454-1027

Fun Facts:

  • This dam was constructed in 1956

Family Fun at St. Anthony Falls Lower Dam:

  • A bike ride between the upper and lower St. Anthony Dams takes about 3 minutes and runs between the beautiful Mill Ruins Park and Gold Medal Park.

St. Croix Falls Dam

401 North Hamilton Street St. Croix Falls, WI 54024

  • The ONLY dam on the St. Croix River was completed in 1909 and is also know as Nevers Dam.
  • The dam stretches from Minnesota to Wisconsin and you can’t go wrong with beautiful scenery on either bank of the river.

Did we miss any?

Leave us a message and we’ll share your favorite local dam with the community.

 

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