Whether archery is your passion or just something you would like to try, several Twin Cities parks have archery ranges to match your needs. Some offer programs that provide everything you need to try out the sport. The DNR even offers free archery programs in some State Park
If you are interested in learning archery as a family, you may want to start with the Minnesota State Archery Association’s article on Starting Kids in Archery. It has tips for getting the right equipment and finding mentors.
Note that Minneapolis Parks that offer archery provide the space and the hay bales, the rest is the responsibility of the guest. However, they do offer Archery in the Parks program at neighborhood parks throughout the City. Information on this can be found on the Minneapolis Park’s website by searching keyword “archery”). There are many Three Rivers archery programs for families throughout the year that provide all the equipment, basics and safety training during a two-hour class. If you just want to dabble in the sport, this may be a good place to start.
Most of the local ranges below welcome all ages but require adult supervision of anyone under age 16. Archery in the parks is definitely a family activity. Range rules vary and we recommend you read them before visiting, but they tend to be commonsense safety requirements (ie. everyone must be behind the shooting line before you shoot the arrow.) Use of broadheads and crossbows is often not allowed at these outdoor ranges.
Minneapolis Parks with Archery Ranges
This is a quick list of all the Minneapolis parks that offer archery ranges. Scroll down for more details about the practice ranges at these parks.
Columbia Park
800 Columbia Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55418
The range is not reservable. Bring your own equipment and paper targets, hay bales are provided. You will find these ranges on the south end of the park just off Central Avenue, across St. Anthony Boulevard from the golf course and main park area.
Ed Solomon Park
1301 E 58th St., Minneapolis, MN 55417
This is an undeveloped park at 58th St and 13th Ave. Hay bales provided. Bonus fun, watch for the park’s resident eagle.
Bde Maka Ska/Lake Calhoun Park
Calhoun Outdoor Public Archery Range, 3763 Richfield Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Non-reservable range. Equipment and targets are not provided, but hay bales are on site.
Theodore Wirth Park
Theodore Wirth Archery Range, Golden Valley, MN 55422
The range is not reservable. Bring your own equipment and targets. Hay bales are provided. You can find the archery range across from the parking lot at Plymouth Avenue and Theodore Wirth Parkway.
St. Paul Archery Ranges
Pig’s Eye Regional Park
1200 Warner Rd, St Paul, MN 55106
Located at 1200 Warner Rd and open sunrise to sunset during the spring through fall. The range has six targets, and one paved, ADA accessible lane with turn-around pads at 10 and 20 yards. There is no cost to use the range, but bring your own equipment. Reservations can be made.
LAUDERDALE
Lauderdale Community Park
1885 Fulham St., Roseville, MN 55113
Is it St. Paul? Is it Lauderdale? Is it Roseville? It is a small archery range with has two target bales.
North Metro Parks with Archery Ranges
ANDOVER
Bunker Hills Regional Park
1255 133rd Ave NW, Andover, MN 55304
Bunker Hills has several different types of ranges and costs only $5/pp. Bring your own equipment. Closed during cross country ski season because we don’t want inadvertent human targets.
ARDEN HILLS
Marsden Archery Range
5101 Lexington Avenue, Arden Hills, MN 55126
An 8-acre range near Lexington Avenue and managed by Ramsey County Parks.
BROOKLYN PARK
Environmental Nature Area
10201 W River Rd., Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
The city’s archery range is available for use during between 6am and 10pm. It offers six stations with targets at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50-yd distances. Nearby Mississippi Gateway Regional Park sometimes offers family archery programs with equipment provided.
MAPLE GROVE
Elm Creek Park Reserve
129th Ave N., Dayton, MN 55327
30-acre archery range with multiple shooting stations is on the northwest side of the park. Daily pass required $6/adult; kids free or annual pass $35.
OTSEGO
Prairie Park
13355 90th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
Find the archery course just west of the baseball fields. It has three 20-yard targets, and one each at 30, 40, 50 & 60 yards.
East Metro Parks with Archery Ranges
LAKE ELMO
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
A year-round seven target archery range with yard markers and stands. This the only range in Washington County parks. Open during park hours. A $7 vehicle fee is required.
MAPLEWOOD
Keller Regional Park
2010 Maplewood Drive, Maplewood, MN 55109
The archery course has 12 lanes and is free to use during park hours; bring your own equipment.
OAKDALE
Northdale Park
5099 Granada Ave N., Oakdale, MN 55128
Facilities include four year-round practice targets.
South St. Paul
Archery Range
405 Kaposia BlvdSouth St Paul, MN 55075
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources this seasonal range has 6 targets of varying lengths. It is open dawn to dusk seven days a week during the season. bring your own equipment. Arrows with target tips only are allowed. This is not a park, but there is a nearby picnic table.
South Metro Parks with Archery Ranges
APPLE VALLEY
Scott Park
14125 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124
This park is mainly an archery site, with four bales set up throughout the year.
BELLE PLAINE
Belle Plaine Archery Park
A park dedicated to the sport of archery. Use of the park is free; bring your own equipment.
- Image courtesy City of Belle Plaine
BLOOMINGTON
Marsh Lake Archery Range
9401 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
Bloomington’s archery range offers both Olympic and gaming targets at distances from 10 yards to 70 meters. It has 18 stations open from sunrise to sunset. Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring or rent equipment. Free.
BURNSVILLE
Burnsville Archery Site
12701 Zenith Avenue S., Burnsville, MN 55337
Located off Zenith Avenue. Open year round featuring 11 targets at various lengths designed for recreational archers. Kids under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own equipment.
CARVER
Riverside Park
300 Main Street East, Carver, MN 55315
Open sunrise to sunset. Note that this park is subject to flooding and will be closed when water levels are high.
CHASKA
Veterans Park
619 Creek Rd, Chaska, MN 55318
The City’s archery range is found at Veterans Park though others sometimes offer lessons in conjunction with Three Rivers Parks.
COTTAGE GROVE
Pine Tree Pond Park
8300 Isleton Court S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Follow the path heading northeast from 81st Street.
EAGAN
Walnut Hill Park
999 Wilderness Run Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
In 2019, all 8 lanes were updated to make them accessible with improved features. The lanes range between 10 and 50 yards.
LAKEVILLE
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Pkwy Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044
Youth archery lessons are traditionally offered during the summer. There is an archery range and archery building on the “SouthForty”. The range is usually open from the end of April through October, weather permitting.
LONSDALE
Rezac Nature Preserve
Pond View Dr SE, Lonsdale, MN 55046
The archery course includes six stationary targets, two portable targets, and concrete pads where archers can stand and aim. Bring your own equipment. Each target can accommodate up to 2 archers. It is free to use and open during park hours.
NEW PRAGUE
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park
25875 Juniper Avenue, New Prague, MN 56071
No permanent range, but sometimes offers family archery programs. These programs allow families to learn archery basics together. You’ll learn to aim at targets and play games. Equipment provided, $10/pp (discount for 4+).
PRIOR LAKE
Cleary Lake Regional Park
18106 Texas Avenue, Prior Lake, MN 55372
No permanent range, but sometimes offers family archery programs. These programs allow families to learn archery basics together. You’ll learn to aim at targets and play games. Equipment provided, $10/pp (discount for 4+).
ROSEMOUNT
Spring Lake Park Reserve
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve, 13690 Pine Bend Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068
This is more than just an archery range; it is a state-of-the-art archery trail with 34 stations. Seasonal range is open April through November, conditions permitting. Passes are required: $6/day or $30/season.
SAVAGE
Hidden Valley Park
5000 132nd St. Savage, MN 55378
The park occasionally hosts outreach programs from Three Rivers Park District. If you are coming on your own, the course is 100 yards long with 2 targets. Bring your own equipment.
SHAKOPEE
Archery Range/Boat Launch Site
551 County Highway 101 N., Shakopee, MN 55379
The park has 10 targets or you an bring your own. Open sunrise to sunset. Free.
West Metro Parks with Archery Ranges
EDEN PRAIRIE
Staring Lake Park
13600 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Features 12 stations at ranges from 10 to 40 yards on the East side (see a map in our directory). The range is free and open for use during park hours (6 a.m.–10 p.m.), unless it is being used for a Park & Rec program. Bring your own equipment.
Hopkins
Valley Park
700 8th Street S., Hopkins, MN 55343
Follow the nature trail to the southwest corner of the park to find the archery range.
MAPLE LAKE
Hasty – Silver Creek Sportsmen’s Club
10917 Duffield Ave. NW, Maple Lake, MN 55358
The range offers 10 practice targets and is open a half hour after sunrise to a half hour before sunset daily during the warmer months (usually May 1 through September 30). Children should be accompanied by an adult.
MAPLE PLAIN
Baker Park Reserve
2309 Baker Park Rd, Maple Plain, MN 55359
No permanent range, but sometimes offers family archery programs. These programs allow families to learn archery basics together. You’ll learn to aim for targets and play games. Equipment provided, $10/pp (discount for 4+).
VICTORIA
Carver Park Reserve
Archery Range, 6920 Springview Drive, Waconia, MN 55387
Stationary archery range open year-round; walk-through course is open April 1 to mid-November. Daily pass required $6/adult; kids free or annual pass $35.
Twin Cities Archery Parks
Bunker Hills Regional Park, Stables, Beach & Water Park, Andover
Walnut Hill Park and Archery Range, Eagan
Rezac Nature Preserve, Lonsdale
Hidden Valley Park, Savage
Prairie Park, Otsego
Chain of Lakes Regional Park, Minneapolis
Bde Maka Ska Park (f/k/a Lake Calhoun) and Beaches, Minneapolis
Base Camp, Boy Scouts of America Northern Star Council
Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Beach
Theodore Wirth Regional Park, Minneapolis
Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove
Archery Park, Belle Plaine
Environmental Nature Area and Dog Park, Brooklyn Park
Carver Lake Park and Beach, Woodbury
Keller Regional Park, Maplewood
Great River Passage – St. Paul Riverfront
Spring Lake Park Reserve, Hastings
Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain
Columbia Park, Minneapolis
Edward C. Solomon Park, Minneapolis
Carver Park Reserve, Victoria
Staring Lake Park, Eden Prairie
Pig’s Eye Regional Park, Saint Paul
Ritter Farm Park, Lakeville
Where to Start With Archery?
Many of the park archery ranges, including Minneapolis, require you to bring your own bow, arrows and other equipment. A search for a “beginner set” on Amazon left me a bit overwhelmed. Do I buy the rubber-tipped beginner sets? Will they work with a standard archery range? The sets without rubber tips tend to be for people taller than me and definitely taller than my kids. The example above is one I found with really good reviews. (Note that if you shop through this link, FFTC receives a small commission on sales). I am leaning toward starting with a Family Archery program through Three Rivers Park District. At $10 per person, the price of this class for a family adds up quickly, but it may beat purchasing a starter kit and getting it wrong. Three Rivers also offers private lessons for those who want to learn more. Find upcoming events and passes here.
*Amazon links are affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate Family Fun Twin Cities earns from qualified purchases.
This content was most-recently updated November 17, 2021.
Thanks for the nice summary of ranges around the Twin Cities.
Note that the Saint Paul Archery Club listed above is in St. Paul, Alberta Canada not here in Minnesota.
Thank you for letting us know, Mick. That explains why it was so hard to find it on a map. I’ve removed that listing.