Lebanon Hills Regional Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lebanon Hills Regional Park is a beautiful park located in Dakota County, Minnesota.


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Summary

The park offers many outdoor activities for visitors such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, camping, and more.

One of the main attractions of the park is the expansive trail system that covers over 2,000 acres. The trails are well-maintained and offer a diverse range of terrain for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders to explore. The park also has several lakes, ponds, and streams that are popular spots for fishing and boating.

Another highlight of the park is the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the park's natural and cultural history, as well as a gift shop and rental equipment for outdoor activities. The park also has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and campgrounds for visitors to enjoy.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was created in the 1970s through the efforts of local residents who wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Lebanon Hills Regional Park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, foxes, and many species of birds.

The best time of year to visit Lebanon Hills Regional Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are great for hiking, biking, and water activities. Fall is a beautiful time to visit as the leaves change color, and many visitors come to the park to enjoy the fall foliage. Winter is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as the park has over 12 miles of trails that are groomed for winter activities.

Overall, Lebanon Hills Regional Park is a must-visit destination in Minnesota for anyone who loves the outdoors. With its beautiful scenery, diverse range of activities, and rich history, it is a place that visitors will want to return to time and time again.

       

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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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