Fort Snelling State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Cedar Pond Park Cedarbridge Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Snelling State Park is a popular destination located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in the state of Minnesota.
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Summary
The park offers a variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, camping, fishing, bird watching, and more.
One of the major attractions in Fort Snelling State Park is the historic Fort Snelling, which was built in the early 19th century. Visitors can take guided tours of the fort and see exhibits that showcase the fascinating history of the area.
Another notable feature of the park is the extensive network of hiking trails that wind through the woods and along the rivers. These trails offer stunning views of the natural beauty of the area, including waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife.
For those interested in fishing, Fort Snelling State Park has several lakes and streams that are stocked with a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, and walleye. There are also opportunities for canoeing and kayaking on the rivers.
Interesting facts about the area include that Fort Snelling was an important military post during the Civil War and was also used as a training ground for soldiers during World War I and II. The park is also home to several Native American burial mounds that date back over 1,000 years.
The best time to visit Fort Snelling State Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and the wildflowers are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Fort Snelling State Park is a must-see destination in Minnesota for anyone interested in history, outdoor recreation, and natural beauty.
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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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