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Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve is a mostly undeveloped park. The terrain features glacial ridges, hills and an extensive, lush forest. This park offers more challenging cross-country ski and bike trails. Because it lacks playgrounds, beaches and other crowd generators, this is a good park for quiet bird-watching.

Wildlife at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Trumpeter Swans

This park is one of several in the Three Rivers Park District where Trumpeter Swans build nests. The Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction Project was begun 50 years ago, starting with a single pair and has grown to over 12,000 birds. The Trumpeter Swan Society was formed in 1968 to help support the project. Nesting swans can be currently found throughout Hennepin, Wright, Carver, and Ramsey counties, including this park. Three Rivers requests that observers remember to obey park ordinances, remain on designated trails, not approach too closely, and never try to feed the swans or their cygnets.

Three Rivers suggests Murphy Lake as the best place to spot beavers in this park.  The best times to spot these nocturnal rodents are early mornings or late evenings while sitting quietly on a dock or trail near the lake. Learn more here.

Watch for Lake Marion Greenway Regional Trail at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

The Lake Marion Greenway Regional Trail is in the early stages of planning and development, but will ultimately end a Murphy-Hanrehan, linking the park to Burnsville.