Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park is of small size, but don't be fooled - it is one of Three Rivers Park District's most unique parks! With the mighty Mississippi River flowing right through the middle of it, this park offers visitors opportunities not found at many other places in the metro area.

The 610-acre park offers visitors the chance to see our nation's greatest river up-close. Three Rivers Park District operates the visitor center and park land on the west side of the river. The West Visitor Center features interpretive programs, live animals and displays about the Mississippi River's natural history. The recently reconstructed dam and new pedestrian/bicycle walkway connect the Park District's regional trails to the many miles of trails on the Anoka County side of the river.

Dam and Recreational Pool
Three Rivers Park District owns and operates the 1,000-foot dam and pedestrian walkway that spans the Mississippi River between Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids. In  mid-May, the Park District raises the gates of the dam to create a six-mile recreational pool above the dam to allow for boating on the Mississippi River. The dam gates and recreational pool  are lowered in early October.

Dam Operation Information - updates on the dam and background information.

Sign up for the Coon Rapids Dam E-News for updates regarding the dam's operation.

West Visitor Center
Nestled in the woods above the river floodplain, this visitor center focuses on the natural history of the Mississippi River.

Activities and exhibits include:

Fishing
An accessible fishing deck is located on the west side of the dam. It is low enough to give anglers a good opportunity to ply the waters of the Mississippi River just below the automatic steel gate. This spot always has fast current and is a good fishing spot in the summer when fish concentrate below the dam. Shoreline fishing is possible from a rugged path just below the Cottonwood trail, downstream from the dam. This path follows the back channel between islands and often floods in spring, making fishing here unsafe. Water levels and current speed are variable at other times of the year. Note: Fishing is not allowed from the Coon Rapids Dam walkway.

Public and group picnic areas
Many picnic tables and grills are available for use throughout the park. A reservation picnic shelter accommodates up to 200 people. For details, call 559-6700. or see how to reserve a site.

Hiking trails (unpaved, 2.5 miles, paved 3 miles.)
The Cottonwood and Woodduck trails follow the river downstream from the dam and offer vistas ofthe islands and back channel areas. The trail surface is woodchips, packed soil and mowed turf. The Woodduck trail is accessed by crossing a small bridge just off the Cottonwood trail. The trail is level and wood chipped and includes a wood boardwalk.

Bike trails
There is 1 mile of paved trail in the park, with an additional 2 miles of trails on the Anoka County side of the dam. A ribbon of maintained paved trailway connects Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Brooklyn Park to Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove (North Hennepin Trail Corridor is 5.7 miles). More than just an off-road route from one park to another, this trail provides safe and enjoyable recreation year-round, with views of ponds, wetlands, oak forest, orchards and farmland.

Dog trails- – 2.7 miles
1 mile paved, 1.7 miles turf. Dogs on leash are allowed on the turf Cottonwood trail along the Mississippi River, and on the paved regional trail along West River Road. Leashed dogs are permitted on walkway across river, where trail connects to Anoka County Park trails. Dog-walkers are required to keep their dogs on leashes no longer than 6 feet and must clean up after the pets. Dogs must not be allowed to interfere with other trail users. Violators will be fined.

Snowshoe trails (1.5 miles) - During the winter, snowshoe along the river by using the summer Cottonwood trail. Trail begins near the West Visitor Center.