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Playgrounds

Elm Creek Park Reserve

📍 Maple Grove, MN

★4.7(4,299 Google reviews)

Elm Creek Park Reserve spans 4,900 acres with a swim pond, Eastman Nature Center, archery range, disc golf, mountain biking, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a winter recreation area.

✓ swim pond✓ disc golf✓ archery✓ nature center✓ mountain biking✓ wildlife
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★★Featured review by Zack cavallaro

Love the beer and seltzers here. We love the food too. It's an awesome place with a great patio and (mostly) great staff. Was really disappointed sitting outside and this employee was smoking Marijuana by the patio, around the kids running around.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for families who want a full-day nature-immersive outing across multiple activity types. The swim pond suits young swimmers in summer. The nature center engages school-age kids with hands-on programming. Archery and disc golf work for ages 8 and up. Wildlife sightings make even a simple walk rewarding.

â„šī¸ What to Know Before You Go

💡Download the interactive trail map before arriving — at 4,900 acres, the park sections are spread out and easy to misjudge
⏰The Eastman Nature Center offers structured programs — check the Three Rivers Park District calendar for current seasonal programming
đŸŽŸī¸The small Elm Creek Road trailhead has permanently closed; use the Eastman Nature Center overflow parking lot instead

đŸ’Ŧ What Families Are Saying

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4.7
★★★★★

4,299 Google reviews

Trails & outdoor activities45%
Swim pond & nature center35%
Wildlife & scenery20%
Z

Zack cavallaro

★★★★★

“Love the beer and seltzers here. We love the food too. It's an awesome place with a great patio and (mostly) great staff. Was really disappointed sitting outside and this employee was smoking Marijuana by the patio, around the kids running around.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

Elm Creek Park Reserve is the largest park in Three Rivers Park District and one of the Twin Cities' most complete outdoor destinations. The swim pond provides a natural lake swimming experience. Eastman Nature Center runs structured programming for all ages. The archery range, disc golf course, and mountain biking singletrack trails add challenge for older kids and adults. Eagles, sandhill cranes, beavers, and trumpeter swans are regularly sighted.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday05:00 – 22:00
Tuesday05:00 – 22:00
Wednesday05:00 – 22:00
Thursday05:00 – 22:00
Friday05:00 – 22:00
Saturday05:00 – 22:00
Sunday05:00 – 22:00

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