Fort Snelling State Park is a Minnesota state park near St. Paul, covering 3,711 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It has no overnight camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 3,711acres
- St. Paulmailing town
- Noovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Fishing
- Historic site
- Dakota memorial
- Interpretive exhibits
- Bike trails and connections
- Cross-country skiing
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: Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, this park offers extensive hiking, bike, snowshoe, and ski trails that link to an extensive regional trail system. Canoe, fish, or swim on Snelling Lake, or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C.
Wildlife. The forest bottoms and marshes are home to an abundance of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, fox, woodchucks, turkeys, and coyotes.
History. The park is named after historic Fort Snelling, built in 1820 on the bluff above the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers to control traffic along the waterways. The area was established as a state park in 1961.
Geology. During the last Ice Age, retreating glaciers left thick moraine deposits over the bedrock in the area. As the glaciers melted, torrential meltwaters carved through the deposits to form the valleys of what are now the Minnesota, Mississippi.
Visit Facts
- Address101 Snelling Lake Road St. Paul, MN 55111
- Phone612-279-3550 or Visitor Center: 612-279-3559
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursHours are subject to change due to staffing. 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursdays – Sundays Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays – Sundays
- Emailfortsnelling.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.87137, -93.19599 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Fort Snelling State Park
- Entry noteHistoric Fort Snelling is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society outside the state park; additional entry fees apply
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | 18 miles | Easy to moderate trails, mostly with a hard-packed gravel surface. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | Five miles | The park's trails connect to the 51-mile long Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and the Big Rivers Regional Trail. |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | Ten miles | Mountain bike trails are located on the Dakota County side of the river. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | 12 groomed miles | The park has groomed and tracked cross-country ski trails. A Minnesota Ski Pass is required for skiers age 16 and up on the groomed trails. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere except on groomed trails | Snowshoers must stay off groomed ski trails. Snowshoe rentals are available from the ranger station. |
Camping And Lodging
The DNR lists no camping or lodging here. This is a day-use park.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Lakes and rivers | — |
| Fishing | — | — |
| Fishing Pier | Accessible pier on Snelling Lake | — |
| Swimming Beach | Accessible beach on Snelling Lake | — |
| Boat Access | Drive-in and carry-in | On lakes and the Minnesota River. |
| Boating Restrictions | Snelling Lake allows electric motors only | — |
| Boat Docks | Snelling Lake | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Two accessible picnic areas | Picnic areas are at the beach and on Picnic Island. Both are suitable for large gatherings and events, and have picnic tables and pedestal grills. Picnic Island has two shelters and road access for vehicles. |
| Picnic Shelter | Open shelter and enclosed shelter – both accessible | Both shelters are on Picnic Island and have electricity. The enclosed shelter also has a fire pit and pedestal grill. Call 612-279-3555 to reserve. |
| Playground | Playgrounds at the beach and on Picnic Island | Both playgrounds have slides, swings, and climbing apparatus. |
| Nature Play Space | — | — |
| Volleyball | In beach area | Rent equipment at park office. |
| Warming House | In visitor center | The visitor center has a fireplace and flush toilets, and becomes a warming house in winter. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | One-quarter mile down the road from the park entrance | — |
| Visitor Center | Accessible, available year-round | The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center is located two miles from the park entrance, and has interpretive exhibits, meeting rooms, flush toilets and a gift shop. Outside, there is a sheltered area with picnic tables on one end and an amphitheater on the other end of the building. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | In the visitor center | Exhibits focus on the history and resources of the area. |
| Naturalist Programs | Available year-round | Check the park's scheduled events. Call 612-279-3559 to enquire about having a naturalist speak to your class or group. |
| Historic Site | Historic Fort Snelling | Historic Fort Snelling is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, and is located outside the state park. Additional entry fees apply. |
| Gift Shop | In the visitor center | The Nature Store carries state park merchandise, books and gifts. Store hours vary; call park for availability. |
| Rentals | — | Canoe, kayak and boat rentals are available at the visitor center during open hours. In winter, snowshoes are available to rent. First-come, first-served. |
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
Fort Snelling State Park is located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just east of the main terminal exit for the International Airport.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Minnehaha Regional Park and Minnehaha FallsRegional Park, about 3 miles away in a straight line
- Chain of Lakes Regional ParkRegional Park, about 7 miles away in a straight line
- Afton State ParkState Park, about 20 miles away in a straight line
- Minnesota Valley State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 30 miles away in a straight line
- William O'Brien State ParkState Park, about 32 miles away in a straight line
- Nerstrand Big Woods State ParkState Park, about 37 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 Fort Snelling State Park?
It is near St. Paul, Minnesota. The DNR address is 101 Snelling Lake Road St. Paul, MN 55111.
How much does it cost to visit Fort Snelling State Park?
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 Fort Snelling State Park?
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
- Fort Snelling State Park (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.