Hillside City Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

Hillside City Park is a popular destination located in the state of Minnesota.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

This park offers visitors a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

Some good reasons to visit Hillside City Park include its beautiful natural setting, which includes a large pond and plenty of green space for picnicking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. There is also a playground area for children, making it a great spot for families.

One of the main points of interest at Hillside City Park is the large pond, which offers opportunities for fishing and boating. Visitors can also explore the park's extensive trail system, which includes paths for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.

Interesting facts about Hillside City Park include its location near the Minnesota River and its history as a former landfill site that was transformed into a public park. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and other animals.

The best time of year to visit Hillside City Park depends on personal preferences, as the park offers different activities and attractions throughout the year. Summer is a popular time for boating and hiking, while winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring and fall are also great times to visit, as the park's natural beauty is on full display during these seasons.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References