Winter Recreation

The Lake Waconia Regional Park Sledding Hill will remained CLOSED regardless of the recent snow.  Excess water/ice at the bottom of the Hill and difficult/messy conditions of the parking area have led to this outcome.  Thanks for your understanding.

There will be no ski rental's at any Park area this weekend, and trails will NOT be maintained for skiing. 

Sledding Hill at Lake Waconia Regional Park:

Rules for the sledding hill are:

Lake Waconia Sledding Hill Diagram (pdf)

Cross Country Skiing:

For a little cool weather fun, family entertainment and exercise, check out the groomed ski trails at Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks. Each park area has several miles of traditional groomed trails, which meander through settings of woodland, prairies and along lakeshore. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park also has several miles of trails which are groomed for traditional and skate skiing.  For updated trail conditions please call the parks office at 952-466-5250.

CHECK OUT OUR CANDLELIT SKI/WALK EVENTS

As winter conditions allow we will be renting ski's during the following dates and times at both Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks:

Special Rental Days:
Presidents Day: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

In the event of questionable snow conditions a decision will be made by staff no later than noon on Friday.  In the event of extreme cold we will use the following criteria for not renting skis or canceling an event:  Air temperature of –10 degrees or colder or wind-chill index is –15 degrees or colder. 

Winter Walking Trails:

At Lake Minnewashta, there will be a double loop of trails groomed specifically for walking and for those who would like to exercise their pets.  These trails will utilize portions of the existing trail system, grounds of the picnic areas and open play fields.  Walking trails will be groomed similarly as the cross-country ski trails without a set ski track associated with cross-country skiing.  The walking course trail head will be located at the north parking lot for shelter #5, as well as Public Boat Access #1.  Signage showing symbol of blue snowflakes will further identify the walking course. 

Additionally, the new 1.5 mile section of trail within Lake Minnewashta Regional Park will be maintained for winter walkers and runners.  Trail surface will be similar to the City of Chanhassen's trail section (leaving the Park and running North/South along TH41).  A bare surface will not be provided, please enjoy safely.  Also note this trail connects with the City of Chanhassen's trail section, which exits the Park near Ches Mar Drive, and runs north and south along TH 41. 

Pet owners are reminded that pets must be kept on a six-foot leash and are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.  For more information, please call (952) 466-5250.

FOR UPDATED TRAIL CONDITIONS, SKI RENTAL INFORMATION AND PROGRAM CANCELLATIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR CALL THE PARKS OFFICE AT 952-466-5237.