Enjoy winter at Ramsey County parks
Photo by Zoe Prinds Flash Photography
Winter fun at the parks
Ramsey County Parks & Recreation offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages all year round! Head to the park and embrace the fun of winter – go sledding, skiing, snowshoeing and more. Here's what you can expect to find during the upcoming season.
General information
Ramsey County is home to nine county parks, six regional parks and five regional trail corridors. Find a park or explore our trails.
All parks offer plowed parking or easy street parking, and as always, entry and parking is free. Portable toilets are available at select locations.
Programs
Join in on exciting programming taking place over the winter season. We have several opportunities to try skiing, snowshoeing and sledding throughout the snowy season. Join us at our Winter Recreation Sampler to try a new winter activity or explore parks in a new way. Tamarack Nature Center provides a variety of ski and snowshoe classes and lessons for kids and adults, among other program offerings this year.
Winter break fun!
Spend winter break with us at the new ski trails and sledding hills at Battle Creek Regional Park! We will have cross-country skis, sleds and kicksleds to try for free. If you decide you'd like to keep the fun going and want to ski the trails at the park, rental ski equipment will be available at Battle Creek Rec Center for $12/person and we will cover the cost of a daily ski pass!
Open ice skating and hockey
Sharpen your ice skating skills, try cross-country skiing, enjoy walking indoors or join others for an easy-going pickup game of hockey this season. Dates are set for Open Skate, Open Hockey, and Open Walking! Admission is free and open to the public, and all skill levels are welcome. Ice skate rental is free at Highland Arena and TCO Sports Garden during Open Skate.
Toddler Tuesdays & Thursdays at the CCCU Fieldhouse
Have a little one that's full of energy? They can enjoy indoor fun at the CCCU fieldhouse on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. We'll have activities such as a bouncy house, kicking around soccer balls and open field time with room to run. Admission is free and open to the public.
Activities
Cross-country skiing
We've partnered with the city of Saint Paul to offer more ski trails this winter. Enjoy 32 miles of marked and groomed natural snow ski trails at Battle Creek Regional Park, Rice Creek Regional Trail, Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park, Tamarack Nature Center, Como Park Golf Course, Highland 9 Golf Course and Phalen Golf Course. Battle Creek Regional Park West now offers 4 km of machine-made snow trails that are lighted for skiing from sunset until 10 p.m. A Ramsey County and Saint Paul ski pass is required to ski on all trails for skiers age 16 and above. View trail rules, locations and conditions.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is permitted in all parks except on designated and groomed cross-country ski trails or areas plowed for pedestrians. Visit the designated snowshoe trail at Tamarack Nature Center, or see why the multi-use groomed trail at Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park is a local favorite.
Ski and snowshoe rentals
No skis or snowshoes? No problem. Cross-country ski rentals are available at the Battle Creek Recreation Center again this year. Call 651-775-7594 for more information. Tamarack Nature Center also offers on-site cross-country ski and snowshoe rental. The Winter Recreation Rental Shack will outfit you with everything you need for a scenic winter trek through the snow-covered prairie and woodland. The rental shack is anticipated to reopen in December, weather permitting. Hours throughout the season may be dependent on snow and trail conditions.
Sledding & tubing
Fly down the snowy slopes of our designated sledding areas at Battle Creek Regional Park, Rice Creek Regional Trail, Tamarack Nature Center and Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park.
Trails
Take to the trails by foot, snowshoes or fat bike. All regional trails will be plowed and accessible throughout the winter, and each park has opportunities to use plowed, multi-use or natural snow trails. Explore the winding trails that offer a spectacular look at Ramsey County’s diverse landscape. Find a trail.
Dog parks
Don’t forget about your canine friends! Visit one of our four off-leash dog parks to give your dog a chance to romp, pounce and play in the snow too.
Other winter fun
County park boat launches will be open and plowed for ice fishing and other lake activities. Winter can be an excellent time to bird watch, and the parks are a great setting for this activity, with about 35 species to look out for this time of year.