Dodd Trail Park
Rate this placeNearby: Fairfield Park Cedar Highlands Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Dodd Trail Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Minnesota that offers visitors a variety of activities and sights to see.
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Summary
The park stretches over 185 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife and ecosystems.
One of the primary reasons to visit Dodd Trail Park is for its stunning natural beauty. The park boasts a number of hiking trails, complete with scenic overlooks and stunning vistas. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the park's wooded areas, or hike through the rolling prairies.
In addition to its natural beauty, Dodd Trail Park is also home to a number of interesting points of interest. The park is home to the historic Dodd House, a 19th-century home that once belonged to the family of Minnesota's first senator, William Dodd. Visitors can explore the home and learn about the history of the area.
Other points of interest in the park include the scenic Cannon River, which winds its way through the park and offers visitors the chance to fish or canoe. The park also has several picnic areas and a campground, making it an ideal destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
One interesting fact about Dodd Trail Park is that it was once home to a large population of bison. While the bison are no longer present, signs of their presence can still be seen in the park today.
The best time of year to visit Dodd Trail Park depends on the visitor's interests. Spring and summer are ideal for those looking to hike or enjoy the park's natural beauty, while fall offers stunning foliage and wildlife viewing opportunities. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Dodd Trail Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience Minnesota's natural beauty and history.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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