Crosby Farm Regional Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Crosby Farm Regional Park offers a highly refreshing and relaxing urban nature escape within the Twin Cities, featuring diverse hiking trails that traverse forests, lake/riverfronts, and open fields. It's a prime destination for families seeking a peaceful outdoor experience with ample wildlife viewing opportunities, including various birds, waterfowl, and the chance to spot eagles. The park provides a sense of being far from city noise, making it ideal for extended day hikes and picnicking without driving long distances.
Key Highlights
- ✓Diverse natural landscapes including forests, lake/river views, and open fields.
- ✓Exceptional bird and waterfowl watching, with potential sightings of eagles.
- ✓Numerous trails of varying lengths and types, ensuring a different experience each visit.
- ✓A tranquil environment largely free from city sounds and generally not overly crowded.
- ✓Designated areas available for picnicking and general relaxation.
- ✓Presence of interesting smaller landmarks along the trails.
- ✓Cool breezes enhance the hiking experience.
Standout Features
- ⭐Multiple trail options spanning different environments (forest, lake/river, open field).
- ⭐Abundant bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- ⭐Relaxing atmosphere with minimal car noise.
- ⭐Picnic areas and spots to simply hang out.
- ⭐A porta potty is available at one of the small parking lots.
- ⭐Refreshing 'beachy area' noted by a reviewer.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Wear appropriate footwear:** Reliable boots or shoes are strongly recommended, especially for steeper and potentially muddy trail sections.
- →**Exercise caution near the lake bridge:** Be aware of the 'tricky and a bit dangerous' broken section of the wooden bridge/dock along the lake.
- →**Watch for natural hazards:** When hiking in forest areas, be vigilant for stinging nettle and reported wasp nests.
- →**Pack essentials:** Bring snacks and drinks, as outside food is permitted and encouraged. Consider bringing a hammock for relaxation.
- →**Visit late summer:** Listen for the 'whispering hisses of katydids' during this season.
Things to Consider
- ⚠A wooden bridge/dock along the lake has a broken section described as 'tricky and a bit dangerous to cross', requiring caution.
- ⚠Some sections of the trail can be steeper and muddy, especially after rain.
- ⚠Stinging nettle is present in forest areas and can cause stings.
- ⚠Wasp nests have been reported in some forest areas, posing a potential sting risk.
Price & Value
As a regional park, it offers an exceptional free outdoor experience, providing high value for families seeking diverse trails, abundant wildlife, and a peaceful atmosphere without any mentioned entrance fees or hidden costs. It's considered a top-tier day hike destination within the Twin Cities.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned.
- •The 'tricky and a bit dangerous' broken bridge section and 'steeper muddy parts' suggest limited accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers, or individuals with mobility challenges on certain trails.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and drinks are allowed and encouraged, with reviewers mentioning bringing snacks and hammocks for relaxation and picnics.
🚗Parking Info
- •Ample parking is available, as described by one reviewer as 'lots of parking'.
- •At least one 'small parking lot' is specifically noted to have a porta potty.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally described as 'not too crowded', offering a peaceful and serene experience even as a popular day hike destination.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features like staff supervision or first aid stations are mentioned in the reviews.
- •Parents should be aware of natural hazards such as stinging nettle and wasp nests in forest areas.
- •A broken section of a wooden bridge/dock is described as 'tricky and a bit dangerous', indicating a potential safety concern that requires self-awareness.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Parents with very young children or those requiring stroller access should be cautious, especially near the damaged bridge section or on potentially muddy trails.
- • Individuals highly sensitive to stings or nettle rashes might consider avoiding deep forest areas, or take extra precautions (long pants, bug spray).
- • If you expect perfectly manicured, hazard-free trails, as natural elements like stinging nettle and wasps are present.
Pricing/Package/Events
🍎Food Policy
- • The possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in this park.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Crosby Farm Regional Park or roads, trails, amenities, or sections within the park may periodically be closed due to high waters on the Mississippi River, construction, wildlife management, restoration, or other special projects.
- • Follow all posted signage, do not pass barricades, never enter flooded water, and follow all safety guidance.
- • Obey all barriers and signage. Do not trespass into closed areas.
📅Booking Policy
- • Shelter Rentals and Reservations are available (details not provided).
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 6 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Bug Folk
6 months agoI like this park. I really want to give it 5 stars, but to do so, the dock and the wooden bridge along the lake need to be fixed or rebuilt. It is possible to walk on it, but there is a part where it is tricky and a bit dangerous to cross the part where the bridge broke. Lots of interesting smaller landmarks to see. The lake is beautiful. Lots of birds and waterfowl to see. If you are lucky, you may see an eagle. The whispering hisses of katidids can also be heard along the trail late summer.
Ailee Neumann
6 months agoI truly love this park! There’s so many birds to watch. Plenty of different hiking trails too. There’s a small parking lot with a porta potty as well. There are some steeper muddy parts of the trail so I recommend wearing reliable boots/shoes.
christian whited
8 months agoabsolutely love this park. such a relaxing place in the twin cities with tons of trails, places to hang out and picnic. lots of parking. one of my favorite outside destinations in the area i come here weekly.
GREEN - Tram Lyrattanak (Mr. Green)
11 months agoThis is by far one of my favorite day hike in twin cities, Minnesota, for it is not too crowded and the distance is not too short with cool breeze and a mixture of nature of trees and rivers and view and let only almost completely away from the sounds of cars. You can bring snacks and hammock and enjoy the beauty the nature can offer without having to leave or drive far from home.
annie
8 months agogreat park w many walking trails that span through a forest, lake/river, and an open field. just be careful if you’re walking in the the forest area because stinging nettle does in fact, sting, and there are wasp nests in some areas. the views are gorgeous though and it’s quite refreshing to spend time in the beachy area.