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Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a Minnesota state recreation area near Jordan, covering 3,865 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 3,865acres
- Jordanmailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Horse trails and equestrian camping
- Access to the paved state trail
- Snowmobiling
- Great birdwatching
- Biking and mountain biking
- Picnicking and hiking
Plan It in Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: Just minutes from the Twin Cities, this state recreation area preserves part of the Minnesota River Valley. The multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail parallels the Minnesota River. The section of trail from Shakopee to Chaska is paved, and a natural surface trail runs from Chaska to Belle Plaine.
Wildlife. Raccoons, mink, muskrat, wood duck, and beaver are some of the animals that benefit from the protection of the river valley habitats.
History. You are surrounded by history as you travel through the Minnesota River Valley. The Dakota people gave the river its name: Mini Sota and fished, hunted, and harvested wild rice from floodplain lakes.
Geology. Over 10,000 years ago, the Glacial River Warren, flowing from Glacial Lake Agassiz, cut through what is today, the Minnesota River Valley. When the glacial river retreated,it left a broad valley with a much smaller stream.
Visit Facts
- Address19825 Park Boulevard Jordan, MN 55352
- Phone651-259-5841
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThere is no ranger station at this location. For more information, call the Jordan office at 651-259-5841.
- Emailminnesotavalley.sra@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.65031, -93.71593 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
- Entry noteNo ranger station at this location (call Jordan office)
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | — | 47 miles of hiking trails. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | — | Nine and one-half miles of paved trail. |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | — | 35 miles of unpaved trail, suitable for bikes. |
| Summer | Horse | — | 30 miles of horse trail. |
| Winter | Snowmobile | — | 30 miles of groomed snowmobile trail. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | — | You may snowshoe anywhere in the park that is not groomed for another activity. |
| Winter | Other | — | Skiing, skijoring, dogsledding and fat tire biking are all allowed on all 47 miles of the park's hiking trails. There are no groomed ski or bike trails. |
Camping and Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horse Camp | — | Six equestrian sites are available seasonally, from April to November. They are located near the trail center, and have hitching rails and fire rings. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Access | Thompson Ferry | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | — |
| Picnic Shelter | — | There are two picnic shelters. One has open sides and the other is enclosed. |
| Warming House | — | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Firewood | — | Firewood is not available for sale here – purchase it from vendors in nearby Jordan or Belle Plaine. Gathering firewood can spread tree-killing insects and is against state park rules. Protect our trees – please burn only approved firewood! |
Pets and Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Directions
Lawrence Unit: Equestrian campground, State Trail Access, Picnic Shelter/Warming House, Strait House, hiking and Cross Country Ski Trails. Take HWY 169 to Jordan, at the traffic light turn North onto County Road 9, turn left onto Township Road 57. Thompson Ferry Access and State Trail Access: Take HWY 169 to Jordan, turn North onto County Road 9. Thompson Ferry Access and parking area is on the East side of the road just before the bridge.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Chain of Lakes Regional ParkRegional Park, about 28 miles away in a straight line
- Fort Snelling State ParkState Park, about 30 miles away in a straight line
- Minnehaha Regional Park and Minnehaha FallsRegional Park, about 31 miles away in a straight line
- Sakatah Lake State ParkState Park, about 31 miles away in a straight line
- Nerstrand Big Woods State ParkState Park, about 37 miles away in a straight line
- Minneopa State ParkState Park, about 39 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More in Twin Cities Metro
- Chain of Lakes Regional Park
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
- Historic Fort Snelling
- Lake Minnetonka
- Mill City Museum
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- Minnehaha Regional Park and Minnehaha Falls
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Minnesota State Capitol
- Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
- Events in Twin Cities Metro
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area?
It is near Jordan, Minnesota. The DNR address is 19825 Park Boulevard Jordan, MN 55352.
How much does it cost to visit Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.
Sources
- Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.