Hiking is a wonderful way to get some fresh air, exercise, and explore the local countryside. From walking trails with vast views to challenging hikes that will get your heart pumping, enjoy exploring the best hiking trails near Lakeville, Minnesota that our team at Jeff Belzer Dodge Ram Lakeville put together for you.
Whitetail Woods Regional Park
For some of the best hiking in the Lakeville area, you can’t beat Whitetail Woods Regional Park. This stunning 456-acre regional park has over 10 miles of trails that you can hike in the summer and cross-country ski across in the winter. You’ll see lots of birds and wildlife as you hike the Empire Lake Loop, Whitetail Woods Southern Loop, or Whitetails Woods Shirt trail as this park borders the Vermillion River Wildlife and Aquatic Management Area, and Empire Lake.
One highlight of this park is the short boardwalk trail that crosses one of the wetlands. As you stroll along the boardwalk, watch for wildlife like beavers, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, and deer. During the warmer months, you may even spot a turtle or two basking on a log or a great blue heron building a nest. If you come to Whitetail Woods Regional Park when the snow falls, you’ll have over five miles of snowshoeing trails to explore.
Location: 17100 Station Trail in Farmington
Ritter Farm Park
You don’t have to travel far from Lakeville to go hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing because you can hop over to Ritter Farm Park. This 340-acre park has over 8.6 miles of hiking and equestrian trails through peaceful grasslands, open prairies, and tall woodlands that provide a sense of Lakeville’s unique natural environment. Winter activity enthusiasts will appreciate the 5.7-miles of groomed ski touring trails. As you hike or swoosh your way through the trail system, you’ll be enchanted by the park’s transformation into a quiet winter wonderland after it snows. Ritter Farm Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for your outdoor entertainment.
Location: 19300 Ritter Parkway Trail in Lakeville
Terrace Oaks West Park
In Spring, summer, fall, and winter, you can enjoy the trails at Terrace Oaks West Park in Burnsville. In this 230-acre park, you can enjoy the stunning 3-mile Terrace Oaks Trail that takes you around a small lake with lots of shade trees. During the winter months, the staff at Terrace Oaks West Park close the trail to hikers and open it up strictly for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. On the weekends, after a day of snow hiking and cross-country skiing, you can warm yourself up at the Terrace Oaks Ski Chalet and enjoy a hot beverage before hitting the trails once again. Friendly, well-behaved, and leashed dogs are also welcome on the trails at Terrace Oaks West Park.
Location: 12700-12750 Co Road 11 in Burnsville
Cleary Lake Regional Park
Cleary Lake Regional Park is one of Scott County’s most popular parks because of its diverse range of recreational opportunities, including hiking and cross-country skiing. During the warm months, you can explore the nearly six miles of hiking trails that loop around the scenic Clearly Lake and connect with the Big Woods Regional Trail. During the fall, the staff at Cleary Lake Regional Park hang lights on the trees that line the Clearly Lake Loop Trail so you can stroll during the evening hours in a cozy glow.
Come winter, the hiking trails are closed for hiking but open for cross-country skiing. In addition, the summer golf course turns into a snowshoeing area, and you can enjoy Skijoring (where you cross-country ski with a single dog or team of dogs) and dog sledding with your furry friend on the 1.5 miles of trails. Cleary Lake Regional Park also has 5.3 miles of trails where you can hike, jog, or run with your leashed dog. These dog-friendly trails are paved or on turf, and make for a great way to exercise with your pups.
Location: 18106 Texas Ave. in Prior Lake
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Head over to the largest park in the Dakota County park system to enjoy miles of hiking trails at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Even if you’re not in the mood to hike you can enjoy other amenities like a public beach, campground, and equestrian trails.
After a stop at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center to learn more about the area and pick up a trail map, you can then decide which of the trails to take. Many of the trailheads have access to the same summer and winter hiking trails, but they have different access points and offer differing amenities.
For easy access to Lebanon Hills Regional Park’s hiking opportunities, explore the Visitor Center Trailhead. Here, you have 14 miles of trails, 12 miles of ski trails, a nature interpretive trail, and in the summer, access to the lake for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
The Holland Lake Trailhead has over 14 miles of summer hiking trails and over 12 miles of ski touring trails. Over at the Jensen Lake Trailhead, you also get 14 miles of beautiful wooded hiking trails, seven miles of winter hiking and snowshoeing trails, and 12 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails.
If you want to try your hand at mountain biking, the West Trailhead has 12 miles of single-track that takes you through rolling wooded hills and open grasslands with views of the lake and surrounding countryside. This part of the regional park also has 2 miles of moderate hiking trails.
Location: 860 Cliff Road in Eagan
Are you ready to pack up your day pack and lace up your hiking boots and hit these exceptional hiking trails near Lakeville, Minnesota? Are there other cool trails that you know about that we missed here? If so, let us know as our team at Jeff Belzer Dodge Ram Lakeville is always interested in learning about great hiking spots around our town.
Empire Lake – Whitetail Woods Regional Park, Dakota County, Minnesota by Tony Webster is licensed by CC BY 2.0
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