Dakota County Parks Program Guide - Fall/Winter 2026

Your Parks PROGRAMS & EVENTS FALL & WINTER 2026

Parks and greenways for all INSIDE Family activities Preschool programs Ski lessons

Visit dakotacountymn.gov/parks

dakotacountyparks fall / winter 2026 | dakotacountymn.gov |

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Accessibility additions include track chair, greenway expansion Dakota County’s parks and greenways are carefully developed spaces where outdoor exploration, programs and events provide year-round enjoyment.

If you look closely, you’ll see ways we make these opportunities available to as many people as possible.

From wheelchair-friendly fishing piers to paved greenways where anyone can roll, Dakota County Parks is making these spaces more accessible.

Some ways more people can enjoy the parks:

On land • Track chair: An all-terrain wheelchair is reservable for free at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, where trails can be explored all four seasons. A second track chair will be available in the future.

• Greenways: Dakota County offers 57 miles of paved trails with more on the way. All greenways are designed to minimize steep hills.

Our crews work hard to plow the greenways all winter.

57 miles

of paved trails with more on the way.

• Inclusive playgrounds: We offer playgrounds at Thompson County Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park designed to be inclusive to children with physical and developmental disabilities.

• Camper cabins: Fire pits at the Whitetail Woods Regional Park camper cabins are specially designed so people in wheelchairs can better enjoy the experience.

The cabins are also accessible.

• Restroom: The new Fischer Trailhead at Spring Lake Park Reserve includes Parks’ first adult changing table, improving the park experience for people with disabilities.

On the water • Fishing piers: Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Thompson County Park all have lakes with fishing piers featuring lower railings for anglers in wheelchairs.

• Accessible kayak launch: Lebanon Hills Regional Park visitors have access to a kayak launch for people with mobility issues.

Not all residents can physically visit county parks and greenways. Along the Minnesota River Greenway and Mississippi River Greenway, there are Indigenous interpretive signs called

Ded Dakota Makoce. A companion website — featuring Dakota language alongside English — is available for those who can’t visit in person.

Scan this QR code to learn more about Indigenous history along the Minnesota River Greenway and Mississippi River Greenway.

More than mobility We also recognize that accessibility means more than mobility differences. Park visitors can let us know before their visit if they need American Sign Language translation or other accommodations to make our programs accessible.

Big Rivers Trailhead visitors will find interpretive signs about the importance of the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers to the Dakota people. An audio device there plays recorded information — spoken by a tribal elder — for people with vision challenges.

Thompson County Park visitors will also find Dakota-language audio installation along the lake trail —

in addition to a sign with fish information listed in multiple languages. Meanwhile, Lake Byllesby Regional Park includes Braille interpretive signs.

Many accessibility projects were supported with grants and external funds, not county tax dollars.

On the horizon We’ve made progress, but accessibility is an ongoing goal and a work in progress.

We’re planning more accessible features in parks and greenways.

As the Veterans Memorial Greenway continues expanding, look for audio installations where visitors can listen to local veterans’ stories.

We’ll also be connecting two new features at Spring Lake Park Reserve.

A paved, accessible trail will run between Fischer Trailhead and the Mississippi River Landing Area and Access at Bud’s Landing.

Dakota County Parks wants to ensure participation for all. If you have accommodation requests or accessibility needs, please email access@co.dakota.mn.us. Visit dakotacountymn.gov, search accessibility, to learn more.

Major greenway additions The Dakota County Parks greenway system continues to expand

Minnesota River Greenway

Fischer Trailhead

This summer, we completed a new destination along the Mississippi River Greenway at Spring Lake Park Reserve — the Fischer Trailhead.

The trailhead is located between the Mississippi River and the Spring Lake Park Reserve Bison Prairie. Visitors will see a picnic shelter, a paved loop around the bison enclosure, restrooms and parking.

Over the next year, look for additional interpretive signs along the greenway near the Bison Prairie.

This fall, visitors can take the entire Minnesota River Greenway from Burnsville to St. Paul’s Harriet Island, thanks to the opening of the Fort Snelling segment. Crews are completing work on that section — between the Cedar-Nicols and Lone Oak trailheads — which includes a new bridge, a rest area and seating.

One major change greenway visitors will notice as part of the project is the retirement of the Big Rivers Regional Trail name. While the regional trail is absorbed into the full Minnesota River Greenway, its name will continue to be honored through the Big Rivers Trailhead in Mendota Heights.

Follow the Dakota County Parks Facebook page for greenway news.

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Register at dakotacountymn.gov/parks, click Programs & Events, or scan the QR code.

Program registration for fall and winter opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 1 YOUTH KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS

Discover nature with a child through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, art projects, storytime and more.

Age: 3–6 Fee: $10/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001

Squirrel Tales

Learn about squirrels, what they eat and where they live.

• Thu, Oct. 1, 10–11:30 a.m.

• Sat, Oct. 3, 10–11:30 a.m.

Big Birds

Learn about crows, turkeys and eagles, and what makes these big birds special.

• Thu, Nov. 5, 10–11:30 a.m.

• Sat, Nov. 7, 10–11:30 a.m.

Tracks and Signs

Use clues to discover which animals are living in the park.

• Thu, Dec. 3, 10–11:30 a.m.

• Sat, Dec. 5, 10–11:30 a.m.

Winter Hibernators

Focus on hibernating animals — how and where these critters spend the winter.

• Thu, Jan. 7, 10–11:30 a.m.

• Sat, Jan. 9, 10–11:30 a.m.

Oh, Deer!

Discover how whitetail deer live in the forest through the winter.

• Thu, Feb. 4, 10–11:30 a.m.

• Sat, Feb. 6, 10–11:30 a.m.

Terrific Trees

Learn how trees tell stories, how you can talk to a tree and explore the parts of a tree.

• Thu, March 4, 10–11:30 a.m.

• Sat, March 6, 10–11:30 a.m.

HOMESCHOOL LAB

Use the park as your lab for hands-on study and scientific inquiry and experimentation.

Age: 6–12 Fee: $12/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501

Raptor Migration

Explore the world of raptors and their migratory journeys.

• Wed, Oct. 7, 9–11 a.m.

• Wed, Oct. 7, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, Oct. 8, 1–3 p.m.

Oh, Deer!

Leap into deer biology and behavior. See if you can survive as a winter whitetail.

• Wed, Nov. 4, 9–11 a.m.

• Wed, Nov. 4, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, Nov. 5, 1–3 p.m.

Pinecone STEAM

Study several species of pinecone and use them to practice science, engineering, art and math skills.

• Wed, Dec. 2, 9–11 a.m.

• Wed, Dec. 2, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, Dec. 3, 1–3 p.m.

Biology of Owls

Discover the world of these nocturnal predators. Hunt for pellets and signs on the trail.

• Wed, Jan. 6, 9–11 a.m.

• Wed, Jan. 6, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, Jan. 7, 1–3 p.m.

Cross-Country Skiing

Learn the basics of cross-country skiing and hit the trails to practice.

• Wed, Feb. 3, 9–11 a.m.

• Wed, Feb. 3, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, Feb. 4, 1–3 p.m.

Maple Syruping

Practice skills to identify and tap your own maple tree, and learn some syrup history.

• Wed, March 3, 9–11 a.m.

• Wed, March 3, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, March 4, 1–3 p.m.

FAMILY FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAYS

Join us for family fun on the first Friday of every month with outdoor park activities, a bonfire and s'mores.

All ages Free Activity Number: 211001

Forest Play

Play among the trees, meet our resident restoration goats and learn about other animals that live in the forest.

Lebanon Hills Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Fri, Oct. 2, 6–7:30 p.m.

Park After Dark

Learn about the animals that come out after dark and play night games in the park.

Empire Lake Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park • Fri, Nov. 6, 6–7:30 p.m.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Show

Through puppetry and song, enjoy a performance by In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.

Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve • Fri, Dec. 4, 6–7:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Stars

Explore the night sky and learn about stars, comets, meteors and more.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Fri, Jan. 8, 6–7:30 p.m.

Fun on the Ice

Enjoy an evening of family fun on the ice. Try one of our kicksleds for free.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Fri, Feb. 5, 6–7:30 p.m.

Maple Syruping

Experience maple syrup season up close. Learn syrup history, skills to identify maples and how to tap your own tree.

East Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve • Fri, March 5, 6–7:30 p.m.

STORY TRAIL

Take a self-guided walk in the park while reading picture book pages displayed along the trail.

All ages Free Echo Point Lake Byllesby Activity Number: 210902 • Thu–Sun, Oct. 15–18, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL BANDING

Explore the world of one of Minnesota’s littlest owls, the northern saw-whet owl, in this partnership program with Carpenter Nature Center. Staff from Dakota County Parks and Carpenter will band owls and share what makes these creatures unique.

All ages Fee: $12/person Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 211711 • Wed, Oct. 28, 8–9 p.m.

STARWATCH

View the wonders of the night sky close up with Mike Lynch while he provides an introduction into the world of stargazing.

All ages Fee: $10/person Empire Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 211705 • Sat, Nov. 7, 7–9 p.m.

HIKE THE PARKS

Explore the vastness of Dakota County Parks on guided outings with park naturalists.

Age: 5 and older Fee: $7/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211403

Winter Solstice and S'mores Celebrate the first day of winter with a guided hike followed by a warm fire and s'mores.

• Mon, Dec. 21, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Let's Go Owling

Swoop into the world of owls and take a hike for a chance to hear and see these nocturnal hunters at work.

• Tue, Jan. 5, 4:30–6:30 p.m.

CANOEING

Make the most of fall and join a park naturalist on a guided paddle on one of our beautiful lakes.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $21/person Holland Lake Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211901

Women's Fall Color Paddle

FAMILY WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

Learn the basics of wilderness survival including shelter building, fire starting, navigation and emergency preparedness in this hands-on class.

Age: 8 and older Fee: $19/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211707 • Tue, Dec. 29, 9 a.m.–noon

LEARN TO ICE FISH

Join us on Holland Lake to learn the basics of ice fishing, including equipment and technique.

Age: 8 and older Fee: $11/person Holland Lake Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211104 • Sat, Jan. 30, 1–3 p.m.

• Sun, Feb. 7, 1–3 p.m.

FAMILY CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS

Learn the basic skills of classicstyle cross-country skiing in a family-friendly environment.

Age: 5 and older Fee: $19/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210602 • Sun, Feb. 7, 2–4 p.m.

• Sat, Feb. 13, 2–4 p.m.

• Sun, Feb. 21, 2–4 p.m.

• Sun, Feb. 28, 2–4 p.m.

Soak up the fall colors on this paddle specifically for women.

• Sat, Oct. 3, 1–3 p.m.

ADULT FORAGING

Discover delicious and nutritious wild plants and mushrooms that thrive in your local environment with foraging workshops led by Maria Wesserle of Four Season Foraging.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $35/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212403

Autumn's Wild Edibles

• Sun, Sept. 20, 2–4 p.m.

• Tue, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.–noon

Winter's Wild Edibles • Sun, Dec. 6, 2–4 p.m.

• Tue, Jan. 12, 2–4 p.m.

BACKYARD ECOLOGY

Dakota County staff and guest speakers discuss how to support wildlife and habitat right in your own backyard.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $7/person Activity Number: 211301

Goat Browsing for Land Management

Get outside with a park naturalist on a guided snowshoe hike with your family.

Age: 8 and older Fee: $16/person Jensen Lake Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211405

Meet goats hard at work and learn how prescribed goat browsing can help restore natural areas by reducing invasive woody brush and improving habitat for native plants and wildlife. Drawing on 15 years of experience, Diversity Landworks will share how targeted goat grazing works, and the benefits it offers as part of a long-term land management strategy.

Lebanon Hills Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Tue, Oct. 6, 5-6:30 p.m.

Snowshoe Hike and S'mores

Wildlife Tracking

FAMILY SNOWSHOE

Gather around a bonfire with s'mores after a guided hike.

• Sat, Feb. 20, 3–5 p.m.

Moonlit Snowshoe Hike

Celebrate one of the longest nights of the year on a guided hike with a park naturalist under a moonlit sky.

• Sat, Feb. 27, 6–8 p.m.

Have you ever wondered who left that track in the mud? Join a park naturalist for an introduction to wildlife tracking and learn about the art and science of tracking in your local parks.

Spring Lake Retreat Center Spring Lake Park Reserve • Thu, Oct. 1, 5:30-7 p.m.

Coffee and Canoes

Start your morning off right while paddling on Schulze Lake with a hot drink in hand.

• Sun, Oct. 11, 9–11:30 a.m.

WILD ART

Gather with fellow crafters and learn new skills taught by local artists.

Age: 16 and older Lebanon Hills Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210202

Mixed Media en Plein Air

Craft right in the heart of nature and make several small renderings of landscapes and fall foliage using a variety of materials including watercolor, colored pencil, and oil pastel. No previous experience is required.

Fee: $35/person • Sat, Oct. 10, 2–4 p.m.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Cider and Cedars

Mountain Bike Tour

ARCHERY

Build confidence by sharpening your skills and experience the thrill of mountain biking on Dakota County's premier singletrack trails.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $30/person Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210307 Explore beginner to intermediate singletrack mountain bike trails with a mountain bike instructor.

• Sun, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–noon

INTRO TO WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

Learn the basics of wilderness survival including shelter building, fire starting, navigation and emergency preparedness in this hands-on class.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $59/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211710 • Sat, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sip on hot apple cider and create a festive wreath of cedar boughs and grapevine, all harvested from the parks through natural resources restoration.

Fee: $40/person • Thu, Dec. 10, 1–3 p.m.

• Thu, Dec. 10, 6–8 p.m.

• Fri, Dec. 11, 1–3 p.m.

• Fri, Dec. 11, 6–8 p.m.

Learn everything from stance to follow-through, equipment styles and archery safety, and hone your new skills with target practice.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $21/person Archery Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210102 • Sun, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Sun, Oct. 4, 2–5 p.m.

Pop-up programs Dakota County Parks will add programs throughout the season as weather conditions allow. Programs may include: • Family and Adult Cross-Country Ski Lessons • Adult Cross-Country Ski Tours • Family and Adult Snowshoeing Visit Parks’ Facebook page, Instagram or website for program dates as they are added.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS HIKE THE PARKS

WINTER SNOWSHOE

Women's Winter Hike and Bonfire

Starlit Snowshoe

Explore the vastness of Dakota County Parks on guided outings with park naturalists.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $7/person Activity Number: 211409

Make your way to the A-Frame Shelter and gather around a fire in this women’s-specific hiking program.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Dec. 19, 2–4 p.m.

Winter Bird Hike

Hear and view the birds of winter.

Binoculars provided.

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Trailhead Miesville Ravine Park Reserve • Sat, Jan. 2, 9–10:30 a.m.

Jensen Lake Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, March 6, 1–2:30 p.m.

Get outdoors in winter and explore new trails on a guided snowshoe hike.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $16/person Activity Number: 211401 Join a park naturalist for a quiet and naturally illuminated snowshoe hike.

Holland Lake Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Feb. 6, 6–8 p.m.

Valentine's Snowshoe

UV

Celebrate your love for nature and sip hot cocoa on this Valentine's Day hike.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sun, Feb. 14, 2–4 p.m.

Full Moon Snowshoe

Join a park naturalist for a quiet and naturally illuminated snowshoe hike.

Jensen Lake Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Feb. 20, 6–8 p.m.

Room to grow Dakota County’s new Lebanon Hills Maintenance Facility includes a building with improved workspace and storage for Parks staff.

The facility also includes a permanent greenhouse with more room for staff and volunteers to grow native plants.

The expanded greenhouse space allows us to nearly triple the output of plants we use for habitat restoration in county parks and greenways. We plan to grow 115,000 plant plugs across 165 species in the first year alone. We can grow plants in

the greenhouse from locally collected seeds for less cost than if we bought them, and some of the plant seeds aren’t available elsewhere.

The maintenance facility at Lebanon Hills Regional Park opened in May 2026.

It replaces aging facilities — some dating back to the 1950s — elsewhere in the park. Older facilities were in a highly sensitive ecological area where natural resources staff had grown hundreds of young plants under long, curved tents stretched over garden beds called hoop houses.

Morning Coffee and Snowshoe Hike

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TOURS

Enjoy the crisp winter air on a beautiful guided snowshoe hike with a coffee in hand.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Feb. 27, 8–10 a.m.

Get outside with a park naturalist on a guided ski tour.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $26/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210605

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS

Starlit Ski

Learn about equipment, trails and technique in this introduction to classic-style cross-country skiing.

Age: 16 and older Fee: $26/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210603 • Sun, Feb. 7, 10 a.m.–noon • Sat, Feb. 13, 10 a.m.–noon • Sun, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.–noon • Sun, Feb. 28, 10 a.m.–noon

Experience the ski trails and stars on a guided outing.

• Fri, Feb. 12, 6–8 p.m.

Full Moon Ski

Join a park naturalist for a quiet and naturally illuminated ski tour.

• Fri, Feb. 19, 6–8 p.m.

Ski and S'mores

Enjoy a bonfire and s'mores after an evening of exploring the trails.

• Fri, Feb. 26, 6–8 p.m.

PROGRAM INFORMATION Registration: To register online, search for the

program using the activity number or a keyword in the program title. Registration is not required for free programs unless noted.

Payment: Payment is due at registration.

SUPPORT YOUR PARKS Dakota County Parks offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals. If you have a passion for nature and the outdoors, volunteer in a county park or greenway near you. dakotacountymn.gov/parks, search volunteer

Major credit cards other than American Express are accepted.

If you need to cancel: Refund policy is posted at dakotacountymn.gov/parks click Programs & Events.

Scholarships: Call 952-891-7000.

Accessibility: At least three weeks before the program, tell us what accommodation would make the program accessible to you or your family. Call 952-891-7000.

Equipment: Provided unless specified.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL Rent cross-country ski equipment, snowshoes and kicksleds at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. dakotacountymn.gov/parks, search equipment rental

GROUP PROGRAMS, BIRTHDAYS AND MORE Celebrate a birthday, take a school field trip or book a group program in Dakota County Parks. dakotacountymn.gov/parks, search group program

Thompson County Park

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Archery

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Biking Boating

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Camper cabin Camping

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Canoeing/Kayaking Dog on-leash FIRST AID

Fishing

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Gardening

FIRST AID

Geocaching Hiking

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Horseback riding Horseshoes In-line skating

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Mountain biking Nature play area Paddleboarding

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Picnicking Playground

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Recreational bonfire Sand volleyball

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Swimming beach

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Visitor Center FIRST AID

Paved trail

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Thompson County Park

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

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Spring Lake Park Reserve

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Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

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Winter Activities

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Camper cabin Cross-country skiing

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Dog on-leash Dogsledding/Skijoring Ice skating Kicksledding Skate skiing FIRST AID

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Sledding

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Snowshoeing

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Visitor Center FIRST AID

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Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Parks and Greenways Guide

Equipment Rental

Find individual parks maps online at dakotacountymn.gov/parks, search maps.

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