Spring Lake Park Reserve Schaar's Bluff
Discover a restored prairie gem with stunning Mississippi River views, bison herds, and miles of scenic trails.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Golden hour for stunning river views
Spring Lake Park Reserve Schaar's Bluff
Best Time
Golden hour for stunning river views
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover a restored prairie gem with stunning Mississippi River views, bison herds, and miles of scenic trails.
"Beautiful park with great trails and river views, especially at sunset!"
🚴♀️ Bike the New Trail
A new paved path connects from downtown St. Paul, offering a scenic bike ride to the park.
🌅 Sunset Spectacles
Head to the dirt paths down by the river for incredible sunset views. [^Review]
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.9 · 180 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Schaar's Bluff Overlook
Schaar's Bluff
Panoramic views of the Mississippi River and surrounding prairie. Perfect for sunset watching.
Bison Herd Viewing
Designated Bison Pastures
Spot the park's resident bison herd roaming freely in their natural prairie habitat.
Mississippi River Bicycle Trail Access
Park Entrances
Direct access to the scenic Mississippi River Bicycle Trail for a longer cycling adventure.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Paved Trails & River Views
Wildlife & Nature Immersion
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
South Minneapolis to Spring Lake Park Reserve (Hastings)
HI all, hoping to bike out to Spring Lake Park Reserve soon. Does anyone have information/routes to share? I'm hoping to mostly stick to paved trail.
🚴♀️ Bike the New Trail
A new paved path connects from downtown St. Paul, offering a scenic bike ride to the park.
🌅 Sunset Spectacles
Head to the dirt paths down by the river for incredible sunset views. [^Review]
Took a trip to see the reintroduced bison today at Spring Lake Park Reserve by Rosemount. Here’s some video I took of the herd.
This is amazing, thanks for sharing! Definitely on my list of places to visit next time I come up to MN to see family.
What are some good long walking trails in or around the southern/ western metro? looking to vary things up from my usual Lebanon Hills/ Murphy Hanrahan go-tos.
I've been walking Jensen lake/ Lebanon Hills a lot recently around Eagan. I am also a fan of Murphy Hanrahan in Savage, it can be a bit steep in places which makes it sketchy this early in the season with mud and slickness. Both have paths that can stretch up to 2+ miles if you…
🦬 Bison Spotting Tips
Check the park website for current bison locations to increase your chances of seeing them. [^Review]
🧺 Picnic Paradise
Plenty of picnic tables and shelters available, perfect for a relaxing lunch. [^Review]
Suggestions for hiking near south central MN
Can you guys suggest some cool places to go hiking this time of year? I've got a girl coming to visit from out of state and we want to go on a few day hikes together. I live about 30 minutes south of the twin cities and don't know of many interesting places to go hiking around…
Tips
from all over the internet
🚴♀️ Bike the New Trail
A new paved path connects from downtown St. Paul, offering a scenic bike ride to the park.
🌅 Sunset Spectacles
Head to the dirt paths down by the river for incredible sunset views. [^Review]
🦬 Bison Spotting Tips
Check the park website for current bison locations to increase your chances of seeing them. [^Review]
🧺 Picnic Paradise
Plenty of picnic tables and shelters available, perfect for a relaxing lunch. [^Review]
👟 Trail Variety
Mostly paved trails, but some dirt paths offer closer river access. Wear appropriate footwear. [^Review]
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Spring Lake Park Reserve for its beautiful, well-maintained trails and stunning river views, especially at sunset. The restored prairie, native plants, and the unique opportunity to see bison are frequently highlighted as major attractions. While generally well-received, some visitors note that bison sightings are not always guaranteed.
"Really cool trails here and views to the river is always in sight. Very clean and well laid out. They also have The preserve building that has pamphlets and things to do in the area.
Plenty of parking too they have lots of parking lots scattered around.
And the sun sets are beautiful there are dirt paths you can take down towards the river and sit on rocks and watch the sunset."
Shane Rooney
"Just a short drive from downtown Hastings, this park is open and spread out with views of prairie flowers, wildlife and glistening views of the surrounding lake. This deceptively small park is spread out in the middle of a farm field giving you an impression of larger area in a realitively small park. A mostly natural Prarie park that hasn't been overly crowded by visitors. Having all amenities of running water, modern bathrooms, and seperate picnic areas. It's a nice place to bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the fresh air, walk the paths, or do a short wave radio day. One wedding and two short wave radio days later in this park, I can definately say to give this park a chance."
Cat
"The County has done an incredible job at seeding the land that was farmland. They have an incredible amount of native plants, from grey headed susans to little bluestem. Fun place to see the bison and bird watch. I saw my first scarlet tananger here. There are also wild apple trees, plum trees, and hazelnuts."
Tucker Lundquist
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
A new paved trail connects directly from downtown St. Paul, making it an excellent cycling route. You can also drive; the park is located south of Hastings.
Yes, the park has plenty of parking lots scattered throughout, making it easy to access different areas. [^Review]
Public transport options are limited. Driving or cycling via the dedicated trails are the most common methods of access.
The park is spread out, with multiple access points and parking lots. Schaar's Bluff is a popular destination within the reserve. [^Review]
The paved trails are generally accessible, but some dirt paths down to the river may be more challenging. [^Review]
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Spring Lake Park Reserve is a county park and generally does not have an entrance fee for general access. [^Review]
Park hours are typically from dawn to dusk. It's always a good idea to check the official Dakota County Parks website for the most current hours. [^Review]
For general park visits, no booking is required. However, if you plan to use picnic shelters for larger gatherings, reservations may be necessary. [^Review]
The park sometimes hosts events like shortwave radio days. Check the Dakota County Parks event calendar for updates. [^Review]
Typically, dogs are allowed in county parks but must be kept on a leash. Always verify specific park rules regarding pets. [^Review]
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The park offers a mix of paved trails, ideal for biking and easy walking, as well as some natural dirt paths that lead closer to the river. [^Review]
Absolutely! The restored prairie is home to diverse wildlife, including birds and a herd of bison. [^Review]
Schaar's Bluff offers stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset. The prairie landscapes and wildlife also provide excellent photo opportunities. [^Review]
Yes, there is a nice playground area suitable for small children. [^Review]
The park features modern bathrooms, running water, picnic shelters, picnic tables, and scattered parking lots. [^Review]
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no restaurants within the park itself. It's recommended to bring your own food and drinks. [^Review]
Yes, the park is an ideal spot for a picnic, with numerous picnic tables and shelters available. [^Review]
Hastings, located just south of the park, offers various dining options from casual eateries to sit-down restaurants. [^Review]
No, there are no concessions or stores within the park. It's best to come prepared with all your food and beverages. [^Review]
Some picnic areas may have grills available, but it's advisable to confirm this with the park management or bring your own portable grill if permitted. [^Review]
📸 📸 Photography
Late afternoon and sunset offer the best light for capturing the river views and prairie landscapes. Early mornings can also be beautiful and less crowded. [^Review]
Popular subjects include the panoramic river vistas from Schaar's Bluff, the native prairie flowers, wildlife (especially bison), and the Mississippi River Bicycle Trail. [^Review]
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, commercial photography or drone usage might require permits, so check park regulations. [^Review]
A telephoto lens is recommended for safely photographing the bison from a distance, ensuring both your safety and the animals' well-being. [^Review]
Yes, personal photography of events is usually permitted, but always be respectful of participants and their privacy. [^Review]
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit