Lebanon Hills Regional Park

The Visitor Center is open daily, 9am-5pm. The first Friday of the month a free family program is hosted at 7pm and meets at the center. During the summer, Friday hours are extended through 8pm. Park guests can also pick up trail information here, rent equipment, and warm up at the fire on cold days. There is a small kids learning nook and other interactive displays. The building is open many holidays as well, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Schulze Lake Beach

Schulze Lake’s sandy beach and clear water make it great for a family swim and an entry on our Top 20 Twin Cities Beaches. It is open daily, 10am-8pm, Memorial Weekend thru Labor Day. There is no charge to swim or to park in the lot. Beach facilities include a bath house, picnic area with grills, access to hiking trails and rentals for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. The beach is conveniently located next to the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. There are no lifeguards on duty; please swim within the designated buoyed area.

10 Ideas for summer family fun at Lebanon Hills Regional Park

• Canoe, kayak or paddleboard​ Rentals are available during the summer season.
• Hike The park offers over 14 miles of trails. Feel free to bring your leashed dog.
• Dine outside with a picnic from home.
• GofFishing The Minnesota DNR lists Holland and McDonough as “FiN”(Fishing in the Neighborhood) lakes – ideal for beginning fisherman.
• Try geocaching The visitor’s center loans free equipment.
• Let the kids run on the playground (near the Jensen Lake Trailhead), while you stretch out on your hammock with a lemonade and a good book. Many Twin Cities parks, including Lebanon Hills, allow the use of personal hammocks.
• Bring your off-road bikes to ride the mountain bike trails.
• Attend a nature education program Anne recommends the Forever Wild Family Friday events held on first Fridays.
• Swim at the unguarded beach.
• ​Camp nearby Get the whole camping experience without leaving the Twin Cities.

Winter family fun at Lebanon Hills Regional Park

• Ice skating – more information in Skate the Twin Cities: Where To Find Free Outdoor Ice Rinks
• Ice fishing – Schultz lake is recommended for ice fishing.
• Kicksledding – Rent by the hour from the visitor center.
• Skiing – A Dakota county ski pass is required. Skis, boots & poles are available to rent by the hour.
• ​Sledding – The small hill near the Visitor Center Trailhead is ideal for smaller kids. Find more of the best sledding hills in the Twin Cities.
• ​Snowshoeing – Rentable by the hour.

Summer camps at Dakota County Parks

Kids between the ages of 4 and 14, can attend outdoor, sports and nature-themed summer camp at Dakota County Parks. Camps include archery, mountain biking, wilderness survival and nature themes. Find more camps like this: Twin Cities Summer Camps: Nature & Outdoor Adventure Camps.

More information

• Register: Events and programs at Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Map it: Directions to Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Book it: Campsites can be booked here.
• Learn more: “FiN” lakes
• Print a map of Lebanon Hills trails
• Summer equipment rentals
• Winter Rentals of skis, snowshoes and kicksleds