Cedar Knoll Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cedar Knoll Park is located in the state of Minnesota and offers visitors a variety of activities to enjoy.


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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit the park, including the opportunity to hike, fish, picnic, and enjoy nature. The park boasts several points of interest, including the Minnesota River, which runs along the park's southern border, and the park's abundant wildlife, which includes several species of birds and mammals.

Visitors to Cedar Knoll Park can also explore the park's historic sites, which include the site of a former sawmill and a Native American village. Additionally, the park features several hiking trails, including the 4-mile long Minnesota River Bottoms Trail, which winds through the park's dense forest and offers stunning views of the river.

Interesting facts about Cedar Knoll Park include the fact that it was once home to a popular swimming beach and that it was the site of a Civil War-era fort. Additionally, the park is known for its extensive birdwatching opportunities, with over 200 species of birds having been spotted in the area.

The best time of year to visit Cedar Knoll Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's many activities are in full swing. However, visitors can also enjoy the park's beauty during the fall, when the leaves change colors and the park takes on a stunning, autumnal glow.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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