Are you looking for trails that both you and your dog will enjoy? 

As a professional pet photographer I am often in parks and scouting new locations for the best scenery.  It want to be sure the dogs I photograph are safe and happy during their pet photo shoots. The parks also have to be dog friendly, close to my home, and clean. 

Here are my top 10 places to hike with your dog near Minneapolis St Paul and Western Wisconsin.

West of the Mississippi

1. Elm Creek Park Reserve.  In my home town of Maple Grove, my dog Snickers and I frequently walk in this beautiful park.  There are a number of trails to choose from, and most of the trails connect to the Three Rivers Park District. You can watch the sunset near the Chalet.  It can be a busy park, so for a quieter experience, head to the trail at the Bottineau House.  Or, head to the dog park, a few miles from the park entrance.  While you are in Maple Grove, head to the dog friendly patio at 3 Squares, and get their nachos. Better yet, get the nachos to go and bring them to nearby OMNI Brewing Co. and enjoy some craft beer in their dog friendly brewery. It’s highly likely you’ll find me there with my wife and our dog!

2. Minnehaha Regional Park.  An urban park, this Minneapolis location is popular with cyclists and walkers.  The further into the trail the more peace you will find. If your dog enjoys climbing on rocks and logs, there are ample opportunities.  There is a dog park nearby if your dog wants to enjoy the water off leash.  It’s a popular park, and parking can be a bit of challenge, so plan ahead.  Best for dogs who are comfortable with busy urban areas.  If you want to give your dog a break, rent a surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals and enjoy the biking trails while your dog rests.  If you and your dog are paddlers, you can canoe or kayak down the Minnehaha Creek if you visit during non-drought conditions. When you are done with your hike or your paddle, stop at Sea Salt Eatery for some refreshments.  I recommend their crab stuffed avocado and their ice cream.

3. Old Cedar Avenue Bridge & Trail.  At almost 7 miles long, this Bloomington trail is longer than most in Minneapolis St Paul. Enjoy views of the Minnesota River, prairie and opportunities for wildlife, especially migratory birds.  The old bridge is still standing, and it’s a cool architectural detail to admire on your way.  This trail can be busy with cyclists and is best avoided if your dog reacts to bikers.  Bonus trail: near the Old Cedar Trail is the Long Meadow Lake Trail, also part of the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge.  Long Meadow Lake Trail is 3.5 miles, one way. The trail begins below the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center heading south and west through floodplain forest and marshlands. This trail is mostly flat and floods seasonally.

4. Luce Line Trail.  If you are a fan of flat, wide trails, the Luce Line is for you.  It is a railroad track repurposed as a crushed gravel trail, and almost all of it is flat and straight.  If your dog reacts to cyclists or horses, this might not be the best choice though – both are usually present here.  You can park at trailheads at many cities in Minneapolis suburbs including Plymouth, Cedar Mills, Long Lake, Independence and Silver Lake. There is not a lot of shade on this trail.  Remember the sunscreen and the water, it can be hot in the warmer months.  The Luce Line trail will likely go longer than you and your dog; you can walk all the way to Hutchinson!

   East of the Mississippi

5. Rice Creek Regional Trail.  This trail connects two counties (Anoka and Ramsey) and five cities: Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Blaine, Shoreview and Arden Hills. Enjoy 13 miles of restored prairies, woodlands and marshes, along with with white-tailed deer and ospreys, kestrels and bluebirds. South of County Road I in Arden Hills the trail loops around Rice Creek, where you will find a grove of tall trees that form a tunnel effect.  Perfect for family photos, and in the summer you’ll see wedding parties gathered for portraits here.  If you are going in July or August be sure to pack bug spray.  I’ve been eaten alive by mosquitoes far too many times at this park!

6. Lebanon Hills Regional Park.  If you and your dog like to hike hills, Lebanon Hills is the place for you.  This park, in Eagan, is the largest park in the Dakota County park system with almost 2,000 acres. Dakota County Parks is actively restoring more than 1,100 acres of prairie and forest within Lebanon Hills Regional Park and planting more than 3,000 new trees and shrubs.​​ Note that some of the trails allow horses, and many of the trails are in full sun so they can be hot in the summer months.  The fields and meadows are beautiful. 

7. Afton State Park.  Near Hastings, this park is huge and home to wildlife, restored prairies, meadows, wildflower patches, and beaches along the St. Croix River.  Bring your binoculars - the park boasts over 190 species of birds, making it a birdwatcher’s haven.  If you hike along the bluffs you can admire the limestone outcrops that jut from forest filled ravines that drop three hundred feet to the river. If you are up to the challenge, hike down to the river’s edge and watch for wildlife.  This park is especially beautiful in the fall, when the forest along the river displays its annual golden hues.

8. Hidden Falls Regional Park.  Another urban oasis, this park is located along the Mississippi River just below Lock and Dam 1, near the Minnehaha Falls area in Minneapolis.  On the trail to Hidden Falls you will find many limestone structures including a large and beautiful limestone staircase leading from the base of the falls up to East River Parkway.  Dogs who like to climb will enjoy the rock wall and the scramble up to the falls.  In the summer the falls can be more of a trickle.  There aren’t any signs to point to the falls and it can be a little tricky to find.  Find the trail near the restrooms, just behind the shelter.  The trails connect to Crosby Farm Regional Park, so you and your dog can hike for miles and miles!

   Western Wisconsin

9. Kinnickinic state park.  Near Prescott and River Falls and on the border of the St Croix River where it meets the Kinnickinic River, this Wisconsin park offers miles of hiking trails with views of the river bluffs.  If you want to picnic with your dog, head to the pet picnic located at the valley picnic lot near the sledding hill.  I recommend heading to the nearby Culver’s for some treats- a pup cup for your dog, and the butter burger for the humans. 

10. Willow River State Park.  A favorite among my photographer friends, this park allows access to Willow Falls and the Willow River Gorge.  There are two options to get to the falls – a longer flatter hike, and a shorter, steeper hike.  Both are beautiful.  If you are looking for a quieter hike, take the long trail.  Here you will find prairie, rolling Wisconsin country side and opportunity for canoe or kayaking on Little Falls Lake.  If you and your dog enjoy paddling this might be your paradise.  Willow River State Park is located just north of Hudson. 

Minneapolis St Paul and Western Wisconsin have a plethora of parks that are dog friendly. Most have dog parks nearby, and many have dog friendly restaurants and breweries. Get out and enjoy the parks with your dog!