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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.

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Ten Fun Things to Do With Kids at Three Rivers Parks

1. Visit the destination playgrounds at Elm Creek Park, French Regional Park and Hyland Lake Park Reserve for some creative play opportunities
2. Get messy at one of the many Nature Playgrounds offered through Three Rivers.
3. Go Cross-Country Skiing on groomed trails in the winter or in-line skating on paved trails in the summer months.
4. Explore the extensive trails for wildlife and natural habitats.
5. Take advantage of equipment rentals to try new outdoor sports – like canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, biking or kicksledding.
6. Camp close to home.
7. Investigate a Nature Center for indoor learning experiences.
8. Swim at one of the park system’s beaches or chlorinated swim ponds.
9. Pack a Picnic and just hang out.
10. Check out the Treetop Trail expected to be built at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park in 2023. (We are very excited about the updates coming to this park!)

Three Rivers Playgrounds – What’s Open, What’s Not

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

Unfortunately, most are closed for 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:

List of Three Rivers Parks & Nature Centers

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.

Use our Park & Playground Search to find parks by amenities and programs offered.

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.

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 Parks

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

1. Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain
2. Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie
3. Carver Park Reserve, Victoria
4. Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, New Prague
5. Cleary Lake Regional Park, Prior Lake
6. Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, Hanover
7. Eagle Lake Regional Park, Plymouth
8. Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove
9. Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove
10. Clifton E. French Regional Park, Plymouth
11. Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
12. Glen Lake Golf and Practice Center, Minnetonka
13. Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington
14. Kingswood Park, Minnetrista
15. The Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee
16. Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Minnetrista
17. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Rockford
18. Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, Brooklyn Park
19. Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, Savage
20. Noerenberg Memorial Gardens, Wayzata
21. Silverwood Park, St. Anthony
22. Spring Lake Regional Park, Prior Lake

Three Rivers Nature Centers

• Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove
• Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
• Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington

Three Rivers Park System Fees

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

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.

Useful Links:

• Play Areas Open/Closed Information
• Register for Activities and Events Here.
• Find more information on the camps being offered and register here or call 763-559-6700.
• *Learn more about Three Rivers Park district and its mission here.
• Upcoming construction projects and master plans
• Equipment available to rent to use in the parks
• Camp at Three Rivers Parks
• Swimming at Three Rivers Parks