Three Rivers Parks

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Address: Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN, 55441
Upcoming Events: Jump to Three Rivers Parks Events

Currently, Three Rivers manages the following parks. Follow the links to learn more about each park.

Ten fun things to do with kids at Three Rivers Parks

  • Visit the destination playgrounds at Elm Creek Park, French Regional Park and Hyland Lake Park Reserve for some creative play opportunities
  • Get messy at one of the many nature playgrounds offered through Three Rivers.
  • Go cross-country skiing on groomed trails in the winter or in-line skating on paved trails in the summer months.
  • Explore the extensive trails for wildlife and natural habitats.
  • Take advantage of equipment rentals to try new outdoor sports – like canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, biking or kicksledding.
  • Camp close to home.
  • Investigate a nature center for indoor learning experiences.
  • Swim at one of the park system’s beaches or chlorinated swim ponds.
  • Pack a picnic and just hang out.
  • Check out the Treetop Trail

About Three Rivers Parks

The Three Rivers Park System is the regional parks system that replaced the Hennepin County’s program sites. While much of its region is still Hennepin County, it now manages some parks in other metro counties. It’s mission is to “promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system. It encompasses over 27,000 acres of parks and trails and serves millions of visitors annually.”  It achieves this by providing outdoor recreation opportunities throughout its acres of park reserves, regional trails and natural areas.

Cedar Lake Farm
Cedar Lake Farm — Image Courtesy Three Rivers Park District

Named for the three big rivers that converge on the Twin Cities metro area – The Mississippi River, The Minnesota River and the Crow River, the combined acreage of the Three Rivers Parks is almost 27,000 acres*. These parks offer everything from winter activities like downhill skiing & snowboarding, to farm education, to horseback riding trails, to the largest playgrounds in Minnesota, and so much more.

Girl helping to band and release a songbird during a Lowry Nature Center bird banding event.
Bird Banding at Lowry Nature Center. Courtesy of Three Rivers.

The parks managed by Three Rivers change from time to time. Three Rivers continues to acquire new parks and sometimes it helps manage parks in collaboration with other park districts for short times. For instance North Mississippi Regional Park used to be jointly managed by Three Rivers and Minneapolis, but eventually Minneapolis Parks took complete responsibility for that park. It currently works with the City of Robbinsdale to provide programming at Sochacki Park.

Farm Camp at Gale Woods Farm in Minnesota
Farm Camp at Gale Woods Farm

Recently, the Hennepin County Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park changed its name to Mississippi Gateway Regional Park to avoid confusion with the Anoka County park on the other side of the river with the same name.

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

Three Rivers Playgrounds

Kids playing on playground in Elm Creek Park in Maple Grove, Minnesota

Three Rivers Parks have some of the best play areas in the Twin Cities. Parks with playgrounds include:

  • Baker Park Reserve
  • Bryant Lake Regional Park
  • Carver Park Reserve
  • Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park
  • Cleary Lake Regional Park
  • Elm Creek Park Reserve
  • French Regional Park
  • Hyland Lake Park Reserve
  • Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
  • Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

Most of these playgrounds close during the snow and ice season. Each spring park staff complete a thorough inspection prior to reopening each playground. We recommend checking the Open/Closed info on the Three Rivers site (link at the bottom of this page) if you are in doubt – especially in early spring and late fall. The playground pictures below link descriptions of each park:

Three Rivers Nature Centers

  • Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove
  • Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
  • Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
  • Three Rivers Park System Fees

Parking & activity fees

Parking is free at most Three Rivers Parks. It does require fees or passes for some activities, but scholarships are available.

Find Twin Cities Beaches in FFTC's Directory
Bryant Lake Regional Park (image courtesy Three Rivers Parks)

Summer camps at Three Rivers Parks

Many of the parks in the Three Rivers System offer summer camps from June through August. Camps can be searched and signed up for through their registration link below. Find more summer camp ideas in our annual summer camp guide.

Girl with a butterfly net in a field. Image courtesy of Three Rivers Park System Summer Camp Programs
Image courtesy of Three Rivers Park System Summer Camp Programs

More information

Related content

Share Your Experience/Tips:

We would love to hear your thoughts and parental tips. Share your experiences and any information you think other parents would find useful. Leave us a comment below.

Upcoming Family-Friendly Events


Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again

Events TBA


Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.

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