Mounds Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mounds Park is a scenic and historic park located in Saint Paul, Minnesota.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its beautiful views of downtown Saint Paul and the Mississippi River. Visitors can also explore the park's prehistoric burial mounds, which date back to the Hopewell Native American culture of 1,500 years ago.

In addition to the burial mounds, Mounds Park also features several other points of interest, including a Victorian-era pavilion, a playground, picnic areas, and a scenic overlook. Visitors can hike along the park's trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the river valley below.

Interesting facts about Mounds Park include its designation as a National Register of Historic Places site, as well as the fact that it was the site of the first-ever baseball game played in Minnesota, back in 1867. The park is also home to several protected plant and animal species, including the red fox and the eastern box turtle.

The best time of year to visit Mounds Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's foliage is in full bloom. However, visitors can also enjoy the park's stunning fall colors and cross-country skiing opportunities during the winter months.

Overall, Mounds Park is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Minnesota's rich history, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

       

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
View more

Featured Parks