Elm Creek Park Reserve

Elm CreekAt 4,900 acres, Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, Champlin and Dayton, is the largest park in Three Rivers Park District. The park features miles of hiking and biking trails, an upland swimming pond, children’s play area, picnicking sites, an archery course, an off-leash pet exercise area and more.

The Winter Recreation Area features snow tubing, ski and snowboard hill, cross-country skiing, sliding and snowshoeing. Eastman Nature Center offers imaginative interpretive programs and exhibits. Keep an eye out for wildlife; the park is home to many wild animals including eagles, sandhill cranes, deer, bluebirds, beavers, coyotes, loons, trumpeter swans and hawks.

Facilities and Amenities

Chalet with concessions - A recreation services building provides rental of cross-country ski equipment, concessions, public seating, and a fireplace. During the winter, a tubing hill, downhill ski/snowboard hill and ski trails are located just outside the building. In the summer, the mountain bike trail, bike-hike trail, pet trail and various turf trails begin at or are adjacent to the building.

Winter Recreation Area - The park's winter recreation area features a lighted tubing hill with snowmaking, a lighted beginner-level downhill ski and snowboard hill with snowmaking, and nearly 18K of cross-country ski trails, including 5.8K that are lighted and 2.5K with snowmaking.

Eastman Nature Center - Located in the west part of the park reserve and south of Elm Creek Road, the nature center features 4.5 miles of interpretive hiking trails, fascinating displays and a cozy wildlife viewing room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Nature center staff offer enlighting public programs and school-group programs. Meeting space is available for rental.

Elm Creek TrailTurf hiking trails (30.15 miles) - Multi-use turf trails throughout the park. A 5-mile hiking-only trail is located south of Elm Creek Road.

Paved bike/hike trails (20 miles) - The Park Reserve's paved trails provide breathtaking views of woodlands, wetlands and old farm fields. The trail system is connected to city trails in Dayton and Champlin and a regional trail connects the park to Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Brooklyn Park. Three trail access parking lots are provided.

Access to North Hennepin Trail Corridor - In the southeast section of the park reserve, the seven-mile North Hennepin Trail Corridor connects to park trails and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. The bridge over Highway 169 is open to pedestrian use only.

Mountain bike trails (5 miles) - This intermediate skill-level trail traverses winding and gentle meandering terrain. A few hills provide intermediate difficulty. The trail begins at the Visitor Center and is open mid-April through Oct. 31, weather permitting.

Horse trails (21.05 miles) - This 10-foot wide, mowed grass trail consists of two main loops and a connection northwest along Diamond Creek. A horse trailhead is provided on County Road 121. This facility includes a trailhead parking access as well as provision for a horse reservation group camp with space for up to 40 users. An annual or daily permit is required for each rider age 16 or older. For information, contact the Park District Administrative Center at 763/559-9000.

Elm Creek Dog ParkDog Off-leash area - 29 acres of open space allow dogs to run off leash. Area is fenced with a wetland pond. A daily pass or annual permit is required.

Dog walking trails (5.35 miles) - Dogs are allowed on 1.7 miles of paved biking trails that connects to the regional trail. Visitors can walk their dogs on 3.65 miles of multi-use turf 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.

Public and group picnic areas - Four reservation picnic areas are available during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The picnic areas are close to the summer recreation facilities including the swimming beach, play area and concession plaza. Three sites provide a shelter; all sites offer grills, picnic tables, volleyball and open areas for games. Non-reservation picnic areas are located near the swimming beach and creative play area. Tables and grills are located throughout the area, some of which are accessible for wheelchairs. Reserve a site.

Group camp sites - Two group camps for groups of 35-50 are available. Rush Creek Group Camp is located near the bike/hike trail and Eastman Nature Center, and Hayden Lake Group Camp is in the north end of the park near the horse and snowmobile trails. Reserve a site.

Elm Creek beachCreative play area - Located at the south end of the picnic area, the play area includes equipment for climbing, sliding and swinging for a wide range of age groups.

Swimming pond - A man-made chlorinated and filtered swimming pond, sand beach, changing shelter and bathroom facilities are located in the main recreation area. Non-guarded and guarded swimming is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Archery area - A fabulous 30-acre archery range is located on the west side of the park. A daily or annual permit is required.

Cross-country ski trails (17.9K including 5.8K of lighted trail and 2.5K with snowmaking) -
Ten-foot wide trails are groomed for traditional and skating. Trails range in difficulty from beginner to advanced level. Ski rentals are available. A Three Rivers Park District cross-country ski pass is required for skiers ages 12+. Rentals and passes are available at the Visitor Center.

Tubing Hill with Snowmaking - The park's lighted tubing hill features several lanes, snowmaking and a Magic Carpet Lift. Reservations are available for large groups.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Hill - This lighted beginner-level slope with rope tow is the perfect place to gain confidence before heading to bigger hills.

Snowshoeing areas and trails - An exploration area in the general picnic area is open for snowshoe users. Eastman Nature Center rents snowshoes and provides 7.5 miles of designated showshoe trails.

Snowmobile trails (11 miles) - There is an 11-mile groomed snowmobile trail which serves as a connecting link between outside trail systems. Trailer parking is available in the north end of the park reserve on Hwy. 121. Note: the trail corridor bridge over Hwy 169 is closed to snowmobiling.

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© 2008 Three Rivers Park District
Last Updated 01/06/2009