Outdoor Recreation Abounds in Carver County

While National Parks and Recreation Month has been celebrated every July for nearly 40 years, Carver County residents and visitors have known the area possesses outdoor treasures for even longer. With seemingly endless parks and countless hiking trails, streams, and natural wonders to explore, summer is a great time to get outside in Carver County. Make plans to visit the beautiful offerings of Carver County listed below. 

“From a relaxing day out in the sun to an exciting water adventure or the tremendous hiking, biking and camping opportunities, there's something for everyone in Carver County,” says Melodie Bridgeman, Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA) Director of Community Development. “Our impressive outdoor amenities improve the quality of life of Carver County and make it a desirable place to live.” 

Out and About Carver County

More than 600,000 visitors experience the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum each year.   The 1,200-acre public garden in Chaska includes 28 beautiful specialty gardens, more than 150 permanent works of art, nationally recognized tree collections and protected natural areas visible via paved paths and a driving course.

The regional Three Rivers Park District includes 26 parks, including the Carver Park Reserve  in Carver County. With the Lowry Nature Center, Monarch Singletrack Trail, Lake Auburn Campground and more, biking, hiking, fishing and picnicking only scratch the surface of outdoor possibilities here. 

With more than a dozen golf and disc courses, Carver Country has everything novices and experts could want, from the international experience at Chaska’s Hazeltine National Golf Club to local havens with competitive play and social opportunities.

Finding a city park in Carver County is relatively easy, but picking your favorite should be considered a summer challenge! Every community values the ability to deliver the outdoors within its boundaries - find your perfect park today!

With 115 lakes and several rivers, water is everywhere in Carver County. Fun on the water is close to all the communities, from Lake Waconia, the second largest lake in the Twin Cities, to the iconic Minnesota River and the many creeks, streams, and wetlands throughout the county.

Go for a swim, wet a line, get out the boat or kayak and take in the beautiful water settings for a fantastic day in Carver County!

Many public and private organizations maintain four-season trails in Carver County. They wind through maple, oak, poplar and pine forests and connect to several regional urban and rural trail systems. Enjoy the outdoors with the additional perk of convenient rest stops to grab a bite or sample a local brewery’s wares before hitting the path again.

Three area parks offer camping with more than 100 campsites, some with electric and water hookups, while others are primitive camping. Learn more about Baylor Regional Park, Carver Riverside Park and Lake Auburn Campground here.

Statewide Recreation

If you MUST leave Carver County, you don’t have to break your budget or expend valuable vacation time to experience the great outdoors. Minnesota is a state that cherishes its outdoor opportunities, many of which are near Carver County.

Minnesota State Parks covers 235,000 acres at 64 state parks, nine state recreation areas and nine state waysides. Other statistics defining the extensive possibilities include:

• 43 state forest campgrounds
• 29 forest day-use areas
• 24 horse campgrounds.
• 25 state trails with over 1,500 developed miles
• 35 state water trails extending over 4,500 miles
• Over 3,000 public water accesses

You can easily find one of these parks near Carver County to enjoy a fantastic day out.

Visiting Local Parks Supports Regional Community and Economic Development 

Families and individuals play an essential role in the continued advancement of Carver County when they utilize local parks. There is a direct correlation between visiting local parks and economic development. Money spent on park admission or annual passes helps to create local jobs and park upkeep. This maintenance improves the quality of life of Carver County and makes it a desirable place to live now and for future generations. Parks can remain an asset, attracting residents to Carver County and growing the workforce. Even if admission is free, your visit to the local parks of Carver County makes a difference.

Continued attendance could lead to additional funding for the park and programs for kids, families, and adults alike.

A similar correlation exists toward community development. Parks are a place to bring individuals together, not only from within a city or town but from surrounding communities in Carver County and visitors from without. That local engagement fosters acceptance, camaraderie, well-being and a sense of belonging.

“Our organization admires the hard work of the Parks and Recreation Departments of all the communities in Carver County,” said Bridgeman. “Carver County is a great place to live, and a significant part of that is our natural outdoor opportunities.” 

Quality of Life is a Critical Aspect of the Carver County CDA

The parks in Carver County are just one contributor to the quality of life in our region. The Carver County CDA strives to support the area’s housing, community and economic development. Learn more about the hard work we do and how our efforts improve economic development in Carver County.