Pond-Dakota Mission Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pond-Dakota Mission Park is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and is a historical site that provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the region.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is situated on the Minnesota River and is home to several hiking trails, picnic areas, and historical structures such as the Gideon and Agnes Pond House.
One of the main reasons to visit Pond-Dakota Mission Park is to explore the history of the region. The park is home to several historical buildings, including the Gideon and Agnes Pond House, which was built in 1862 and served as a home to the Pond family. Visitors can also explore the Dakota Memorial, which honors the Dakota people who lived in the area before European settlers arrived.
Other points of interest in the park include the hiking trails, which offer beautiful views of the Minnesota River and surrounding landscape. The park also has several picnic areas, making it a great spot for a family outing or a peaceful lunch break.
Interesting facts about Pond-Dakota Mission Park include that it was once the site of a mission school that was established by the Pond family to educate Dakota children. The school closed in 1862 during the Dakota War, and the Pond family home was used as a military headquarters during the conflict.
The best time of year to visit Pond-Dakota Mission Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the hiking trails and picnic areas are in full swing. However, the park is also open year-round, and visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
|
||
Lebanon Hills Campground
|
||
Cleary Lake Regional Park
|
Parker's Picnic Grounds
Gene C. Kelly PlayFields
Mound Springs Park
Soens Park
Columbus Playlot