NEXT TRAILS

Explore the many trails of Cleary Lake Regional Park

Local residents and visitors can enjoy boating and many more activities at Cleary Lake Regional Park.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEREK J. DICKINSON

BY JACQUELINE DEVINE

The spring season is officially here, which means warmer weather and outdoor activities.

So, if you’re ready to have some fun in the sun, then Cleary Lake Regional Park is where you need to be.

Cleary Lake Regional Park is one of the most popular yearround recreation spots in the south Twin Cities metro, with amenities that include a golf course, campground, picnic area, cross-country ski trails and swimming beach.

The park offers 5.9 miles of trails with rest stops and a water pump. It connects to over 27,000 acres of other parksand trails across the Twin Cities metro.

According to the Three Rivers Park District, the Big Woods Regional Trail connects Cleary Lake Regional Park and Spring Lake Regional Park in Scott County. Approximately 12.4 miles of the trail are open, with another 2.9 miles in the planning stage.

When fully complete, the trail also will connect to Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, the Minnesota Valley State Trail and the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail.

Three Rivers Park is also an excellent location for bird watching. There are 288 bird species currently residing in the district’s reserves for bird enthusiasts to observe.

Cleary Lake Regional Park is also hike-friendly. The Trails at Your Pace features short, gentle trails designed to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to begin a walking program. These trails are especially great for people with arthritis or other health conditions, those just starting a fitness program, parents with small children and employees who want to take a quick lunchtime stroll, according to the Three Rivers Park District.

The park also offers many other fun things to do in the great outdoors such as biking, boating, fishing, geocaching, golfing, swimming and more. Throughout the year, the park has several programs and summer camps for children of all ages.

At Cleary Lake Regional Park, you can learn the basics of archery and learn important survival skills in the wild. Other free programs include weekend bird hikes, family amphibian searches, wild flower walks and photo club opportunities.

Cleary Lake Regional Park also offers campgrounds for extreme hikers.

The park has several campsites ranging in size from small to large, including 20 sites for tents only and two RV sites with full hookups.

Official camping season began April 22 and runs through October 23. Camping areas include Red Pine, which houses five campsites, and Basswood, which houses 15 campsites and two RV sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with pit latrines (wheelchair accessible) and nearby water pump with no showers.

Campsites are walk-in with no electricity. RV sites have full hookups with water, sewer and electric. A shelter is available to all campers staying at the Basswood camping area.

Park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and visitor center hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Campground Info

RESERVE A SITE

Reserve a site online or call 763-559-6700. Campsites can be reserved up to one year in advance of your first night’s stay.

DAILY RATE

$16 per campsite $50 per RV site Prices for group campsites vary. A $7.50 non-refundable reservation fee applies.