Coldwater Spring National Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota

August 28, 2022 12:24 am

By Joy Peters

Coldwater Spring

Coldwater Spring, 5601 Minnehaha Park Drive South, Saint Paul, MN 55111

(651) 293-0200

Admission: $0.00
Hours of Operation:

Mon. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Tue. 06:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Wed. 06:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Thu. 06:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Fri. 06:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Sat. 06:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Sun. 06:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Nestled between Fort Snelling State Park and Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, Coldwater Spring is an historically significant natural spring. It holds cultural significance to both Dakota and Ojibway as well as being part of the Fort Snelling National Historic Landmark. The park is managed by the National Park Service as part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and has restored prairie, wetland and oak savanna areas. You can see a video of the spring below.

Related Articles:

The Best Minneapolis Bike Trails for Families

Meet the 6 National Parks of Minnesota – Coldwater Spring is part of the Mississippi River and National Recreation Area and managed by the NPS

Coldwater time lapse from Douglas Feltman on Vimeo.

Family Fun at Coldwater Spring

The park has a stroller-accessible trail to the spring. Additionally, there are many opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography through native prairies and wildflowers. The national park service recommends bird and nature watching and suggests you may see turkey, deer and possibly coyotes. You can even listen to these mobile ranger tours on your phone as you walk.

Things to Remember When Visiting Coldwater Spring

Dogs are allowed at this park, but like any park, they need to be leashed and picked up after.

Collecting rocks or artifacts, picking flowers and other forms of “specimen collecting” without a permit are not allowed at National Parks, including this park.

However, it is acceptable to pick berries, mushrooms and other edible foods for personal consumption.

It is okay to collect water from the spring, but the water quality is not at a level where it is advisable to drink the spring water.

Picnics are only allowed in designated areas – mostly that means don’t picnic in areas that are posted as closed or specifically say “no picnicking”.

As with all National Parks, this park has a carry in/carry out policy. Make sure you take your garbage with you (that includes anything your dog leaves behind).

There is no swimming in the Coldwater Spring reservoir.

Useful Links:

You can read more about the park from NPS here.

Listen to mobile ranger tours on your phone while you explore

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