Fort Snelling State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(612) 279-3550
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 4
Alert All visitors must have a vehicle permit to enter the park.
Posted by the park 2026-09-20. Official alert
Partial closure Trail updates• The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center will be CLOSED on Mondays from May through October. • The Dakota Memorial, Wokiksuye K'a Woyuonihan, pipestone… (more)
• The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center will be CLOSED on Mondays from May through October. • The Dakota Memorial, Wokiksuye K'a Woyuonihan, pipestone centerpiece is currently on display in the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center in preparation of memorial restoration. • Picnic Island is OPEN. • Pike Island is OPEN. Biking is not allowed on Pike Island. • Minnehaha Trail is OPEN. • The natural surface trail on the east side of the Minnesota River is CLOSED indefinitely.
Posted by the park 2026-09-20. Official alert
Water quality Water recreation• Boat launch docks are IN for the season at Picnic Island, Snelling Lake, and Casperson Landing (Cedar Ave Bridge). • The fishing pier is OPEN. •… (more)
• Boat launch docks are IN for the season at Picnic Island, Snelling Lake, and Casperson Landing (Cedar Ave Bridge). • The fishing pier is OPEN. • Snelling Lake Beach is OPEN. • Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the ranger station during operating hours on a first come, first served basis through October 18th. Rental fees are $15 for half day and $25 for full day; paddles and life vests included. Boats must remain on Snelling Lake. Rentals subject to weather conditions.
Posted by the park 2026-09-20. Official alert
Weather Restrooms• Flush toilets are available at the ranger station, beach and visitor center during posted office hours. • Restrooms on Picnic Island are OPEN for… (more)
• Flush toilets are available at the ranger station, beach and visitor center during posted office hours. • Restrooms on Picnic Island are OPEN for the season. • Portable toilets are available at Shelter B on Picnic Island, visitor center parking lot, and Snelling Lake fishing pier and beach parking lot.
Posted by the park 2026-09-20. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 2,586 acres, Fort Snelling State Park lies in Hennepin County, about 3 miles west of Mendota Heights.
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, historic sites, winter sports, swimming, and boating. The official site lists about 18 miles of trails. Water access includes a swimming beach and a fishing pier. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Mon, Tue | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Wed | 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | — | |
| Sun, Thu | 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | — | |
| Visitor center | Sun, Tue | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Other — Buildings | Daily | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Hours are subject to change due to staffing. 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Thursdays - Sundays
Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays - Sundays
This park does not have a campground. Overnight parking is not permitted.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms are available in the visitor center and in the ranger station during office hours. Restrooms are open seasonally at the beach and Picnic Island. Portable toilets are located at the Fishing Pier, the visitor center, and Picnic Island boat landing. Campgrounds: This park does not have a campground. Overnight parking is not permitted.
Buildings: The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center and the Ranger Station are open daily, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Hours subject to change due to staffing.)
NOTE: There is no electricity at Shelter B on Picnic Island. Drinking water: Drinking water is available at the ranger station and at the visitor center when they are open. Trails: The Sibley Trail along the east bank of the Minnesota River is closed indefinitely. The park has 18 miles of hiking trail, five miles of surfaced bike trail and ten miles of mountain bike trail. Leashed dogs are permitted on all trails except for cross country ski trails in the winter. In winter, the park maintains eight miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and three miles of hiking trails. Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park except on groomed ski trails. Programs: Check out our upcoming naturalist programs and other activities at Fort Snelling State Park.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Leashed dogs are permitted on all trails except for cross country ski trails in the winter.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other No camping in this park — Fort Snelling is a day-use only park. It does not have overnight facilities. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Other — No camping in this park: Fort Snelling is a day-use only park. It does not have overnight facilities.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
FishingHistoric sites and toursHikingBikingWinter sportsCross-country skiingRanger and interpretive programsPicnickingSwimmingBoatingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic (winter) | — | — | 12 groomed miles — The park has groomed and tracked cross-country ski trails. A Minnesota Ski Pass is required for skiers age 16 and up on the groomed trails.Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Anywhere except on groomed trails — Snowshoers must stay off groomed ski trails. Snowshoe rentals are available from the ranger station.Snowshoe |
| Hiking (summer) | 18 mi | — | 18 miles — Easy to moderate trails, mostly with a hard-packed gravel surface.Hiking |
| Paved Bike (summer) | 5 mi | — | Five miles — The park's trails connect to the 51-mile long Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and the Big Rivers Regional Trail.Paved Bike |
| Unpaved Bike (summer) | 10 mi | — | Ten miles — Mountain bike trails are located on the Dakota County side of the river.Unpaved Bike |
Trail descriptions from the park
Winter — Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic — 12 groomed miles: The park has groomed and tracked cross-country ski trails. A Minnesota Ski Pass is required for skiers age 16 and up on the groomed trails.
Winter — Snowshoe — Anywhere except on groomed trails: Snowshoers must stay off groomed ski trails. Snowshoe rentals are available from the ranger station.
Summer — Hiking — 18 miles: Easy to moderate trails, mostly with a hard-packed gravel surface.
Summer — Paved Bike — Five miles: The park's trails connect to the 51-mile long Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and the Big Rivers Regional Trail.
Summer — Unpaved Bike — Ten miles: Mountain bike trails are located on the Dakota County side of the river.
Trail conditions: The Sibley Trail along the east bank of the Minnesota River is closed indefinitely.
The park has 18 miles of hiking trail, five miles of surfaced bike trail and ten miles of mountain bike trail. Leashed dogs are permitted on all trails except for cross country ski trails in the winter.
In winter, the park maintains eight miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and three miles of hiking trails. Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park except on groomed ski trails.
Swimming
Swimming Beach — Accessible beach on Snelling Lake
Boating and paddling
Boat Access — Drive-in and carry-in: On lakes and the Minnesota River.
Boating Restrictions — Snelling Lake allows electric motors only
Boat Docks — Snelling Lake
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing Pier — Accessible pier on Snelling Lake
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
Water
- Swimming beach
- Marina or boat slips
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Visitor Center — Accessible, available year-round: The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center is located two miles from the park entrance, and has interpretive exhibits, meeting rooms, flush toilets and a gift shop. Outside, there is a sheltered area with picnic tables on one end and an amphitheater on the other end of the building.
Flush Toilets: Flush toilets at the park office and the visitor center are available year-round and are accessible. Toilets in the picnic and beach areas are seasonal.
Picnic Area — Two accessible picnic areas: Picnic areas are at the beach and on Picnic Island. Both are suitable for large gatherings and events, and have picnic tables and pedestal grills. Picnic Island has two shelters and road access for vehicles.
Read more from the park
Picnic Shelter — Open shelter and enclosed shelter - both accessible: Both shelters are on Picnic Island and have electricity. The enclosed shelter also has a fire pit and pedestal grill. Call 612-279-3555 to reserve.
Fishing Pier — Accessible pier on Snelling Lake
Swimming Beach — Accessible beach on Snelling Lake
All-Terrain Track Chair: The park has two all-terrain, electric powered chairs that may be used on designated trails within the park.
- Reserve a chair
- Map of designated trails
- Learn more about track chairs
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 101 Snelling Lake Road
St. Paul, MN 55111 - Nearest town
- Mendota Heights — about 3 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.8714, -93.1960
- Phone
- (612) 279-3550
- fortsnelling.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Fort Snelling State Park is located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just east of the main terminal exit for the International Airport.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 20, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Fort Snelling State Park Confluence.jpg — Public domain (released by the author), Bob Wesen
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology