10 Best Parks in Bloomington, Minnesota

Today, we’ve pulled together some family fun south of Minneapolis & St Paul to find the best parks in Bloomington, Minnesota, to visit with kids.

For more of the best things to do in Bloomington with kids, including parks, best attractions and dining, jump over to our Bloomington family fun page.

Can’t beat the giant playground at Hyland Lake Park Reserve

10145 E Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Hyland Play Area (or “Chutes & Ladders” as the original park was known in my generation) is right up top in the running for Minnesota’s largest playground. There are myriad climbing and sliding opportunities for all ages here plus sand to dig in and a small spray zone. Be prepared for crowds when school is out; this is a ridiculously easy park to lose track of little ones in.

Reminder: Three Rivers Park Systems closes its playgrounds during the winter months and does not reopen until the ground is fully thawed and they have had a chance to perform an annual safety inspection. Find more information here.

In addition to the playground, Hyland Lake is home to the RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER, which is stuffed with kid-friendly exhibits, live raptors, a nature play area and very deserving of your time. Make plans for your visit there with 10 Things for Kids: Richardson Nature Center & Hyland Lake Park.

Learn more about family fun at HYLAND LAKE PARK RESERVE, one of the largest parks in Bloomington, Minnesota.

It’s not always winter at Hyland Hills Ski Area

8800 Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
So technically Hyland Hills is included within Hyland Lake Park Reserve, but there’s so much going on there we felt its own entry was warranted. During the winter months, the hills are a premiere family skiing and snowboarding destination. But think outside snow season – after the spring melt, the Hyland Hills Disc Golf Course opens. Summer brings free live music, lawn games and movies on a natural outdoor amphitheater. And when fall colors are at peak, take a chairlift ride to admire them. You can get the complete event calendar on the Hyland Hills website.

Learn more about the year-round activities at HYLAND HILLS SKI AREA in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Three Rivers Park System — Hyland Park in fall, courtesy Three Rivers Parks

Catch some rays at Bush Lake Beach

9140 E Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Know before you pack your beach bag: Bloomington’s Bush Lake Beach is located on the EAST side of the lake, so don’t head to West Bush Lake Park hoping to swim unless you don’t mind hiking about a mile around the lake to reach the beach. We rate this beach one of the best in the Twin Cities. Besides swimming, families can canoe, play sand volleyball, picnic and explore the trails.

Learn more about BUSH LAKE BEACH, one of the best beaches in Bloomington.

Best summer entertainment at Normandale Lake Park

West 84th Street & Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN 55437
The bandshell at Normandale Lake Park comes alive during summer evenings with the Thursday Night Blockbuster Series. Bring a lawn chair and your picnic dinner; the music starts at 7pm. For something more up the kids’ alley, Moir Park (see separate entry below for more) hosts the Monday Morning Kids Series weekly at 10am, June through August. The family entertainment is part of Bloomington’s Arts in the Parks series. Please see the city’s website for the most up to date schedule.

Learn more about NORMANDALE LAKE PARK.

Get zen at the Normandale Japanese Garden

1900 France Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55431
The kids probably won’t let you meditate, but what else is new? You still might find some balance among the tranquil paths, pond, bridges and waterfall. The best times to visit the park with kids are in the spring for the cherry blossoms or in the fall for the annual Japanese Garden Festival. Pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the park shelter. Note that as the garden – one of the few public Japanese gardens in the Twin Cities – is located on the grounds of Normandale Community College, it is not a city-operated park. Admission is free.

Learn more about the Normandale Japanese Garden.

History comes alive at Pond Dakota Mission Park

401 E 104th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420
Don’t bill your visit Pond Dakota Mission Park as a history lesson. Tell the kids you’re taking them to play at the Pond House – and if they happen to learn something along the way, that’s just icing. The park encompasses a former mission site and interprets life for settlers and native people during the mid-nineteenth century. Sunday Open Houses at the Pond House are super family-friendly – just ask my daughter (below) who got to dress up Civil War-era style. Each week features a new activity or theme. Admission is a suggested $2/pp; it is free to visit the park and take a self-guided tour.

Learn more about living history at Pond Dakota Mission Park & Gideon Pond House.

Nature backpacks at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN, 55425
The huge wildlife refuge hugs almost 70 miles of Mississippi shoreline. Take just a bite out of all that nature at the Bloomington Education & Visitor Center. My kids got excited about borrowing free “Let’s Go Outside” backpacks to explore; these come stocked with tools like binoculars and bug jars (if you’re into creepy-crawlies). They also found it pretty cool to complete activity booklets and earn Jr. Refuge Manager badges. Other things to check out: a bird observatory with a great view (below) and lots of interactive indoor exhibits.

Learn more about the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington.

Splashy fun at Cedarcrest Park

8700 Bloomington Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55425
Hidden behind a Bloomington church and school (and a massive parking lot) is pocket-sized Cedarcrest Park. It’s easy to miss, but parents with tots not yet ready to swim will want to keep this one on the radar. The park is home to the city’s only splash pad – and this one has unique rubber tile flooring to keep the little ones safer. The splash pad is open daily, 8am-8pm. There’s also a small playground with a separate tot lot.

Learn more about Cedarcrest Park and find more Twin Cities splash pads.

Discover a hidden creek at Moir & Central Parks

10320 Morgan Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55431
Nine Mile Creek burbles into Bloomington from the northwest corner and makes its merry way through many of the city’s parks. You can get a sizeable sample of the creek on a largely hidden path through Moir Park, up through the Harrison Picnic Grounds and down into Central Park. This would make for a manageable hike with sturdy kids (a bit less than two miles one-way). There are other things to do nearby in the parks such as a free disc golf course and the kid-centric summer Monday Morning Kids Series.

Learn more about what you can find in Moir Park and Central Park.

Play all day at Valley View Park

401 West 90th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420
Aside from the multiple ballfields that dot the park, Valley View may be best known as the home of the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center. Fun features include a zero-depth entry pool, climbing wall, water slides, diving boards, and a concession stand. If a day at the pool doesn’t wear your kids out, Valley View also has a playground and a skate park.

Learn more about the Bloomington Aquatic Center and Valley View Playfield.

Keep exploring! More of the best parks in the Twin Cities:

Kim

March 2, 2024 at 2:15 am

Is shoots and ladders/Hyland park in Bloomington is open?

Joy Peters
March 8, 2024 at 9:38 am

Hi Kim. Unfortunately, No. Three Rivers Park System states that the ground has to dry out thoroughly before they do their annual safety inspection prior to the opening of any of their large playgrounds. Learn more about these parks here.