In true Minnesota fashion, when we say “boardwalk”, we mean it quite a bit differently than does the rest of the country. Chicago gets Navy Pier, New York gets Coney Island, California has Santa Monica, Virginia has their Virginia Beach Boardwalk – and they all come with rides and food and lights and tchotchkes and noise and lots and lots of people. In Minnesota, when someone asks us if we want to walk a boardwalk, you’re signing up to go for a hike. You’re outside in nature and quiet – no lights, no lemonade vendors, no rollercoasters. Just you, a long wooden plank, and maybe some visiting ducks. Gotta love Minnesota!
Recently, I paid visits to some of the (Minnesota-style) boardwalks in and around the Minneapolis area and came up with a list of my Top 10. Some of them have very short boardwalks offered, but the rest of the hike was still so beautiful. Some were ALL boardwalk! But each and every one was peaceful, well maintained, easy to access, and surrounded by beauty.
General (and very helpful) Tips: I often take a photo of the trail map on my phone so I can reference it throughout the hike. This has saved my butt more times than I can say. Also, consider restroom timing if you’re going with kids. Nature centers have them in their main buildings but others offer none (or port-a-potties). We always stress a “at least try to go” at the beginnings of our hikes, for obvious reasons. Many of the interpretive centers at the main nature centers offer GPS device rentals, snow shoe rentals, and more. Look into that if you want to extend the journey!
Walks like these are best enjoyed when hurry is not in the picture. Take your time, enjoy the sights, let them run, explore, find turtles, have a snack, and go in with a mindset of “slow and steady.” I promise, it will make it far more enjoyable for both you and your family.
1) Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley
This is probably my very favorite nature center in all of the Twin Cities area. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about it just feels…perfect. Magical, if you will. The boardwalk here is lengthy enough and the rest of the trails are equally as serene, so 100% worth it in my opinion.
- Strollers: If it can handle wood chip paths, yes
- Dogs: No
- Local Snack: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop (also offers pinball for a quarter!)
- Extras: There is a fantastic nature play area for kids to build, climb, and not get lost (it’s fenced in). Plenty to captivate attention – bridges, boardwalks, cattails, tall grasses, waterfowl, and the interpretive center (which is open year-round) with exhibits and a fireplace.
2) Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville
Right inside Central Park sits this beautiful, boardwalk-based nature center. Almost entirely boardwalk, this one is fun to turn and choose your own adventure on the boardwalks. It just feels like it keeps on going and going. And there’s lots of water animals to enjoy.
- Strollers: Yes
- Dogs: No
- Local Snack: Original Malt Shop (every malt flavor imaginable; plus they serve real food)
- Extras: The boardwalk is floating atop a bog so you’re very much “in it.” The boardwalk has close access from the parking lot. The interpretive center has some exhibits and a fireplace with seating area. There is a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in the parking lot (we brought an injured baby bunny here once) and across the street is the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, a gorgeous place to stroll among gardens, fountain, and manicured grounds.
3) Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield
The boardwalk part of this nature center was shorter than I remembered, but the whole space is just so, well, nature-y. There’s nothing not to love. This was one of the more kid-friendly adventures I thought, and the interpretive center is pretty great too!
- Strollers: If yours can handle crushed limestone, you’ll be fine
- Dogs: No
- Local Snack: Tous Les Jours Cafe (French pastries without the long flight)
- Extras: There is a nature play area for kids to build forts and get dirty, lots of prairie land, tons of waterfowl (look for the white herons), and geocaching is very popular here (information at the interpretive center building). They also offer a full page of their website as a Kids Corner, offering printable scavenger hunt cards.
4) Creekside Park, St. Louis Park
Creekside Park is a hidden little gem near Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park and is ALL boardwalk. It sits atop Minnehaha Creek so feel free to wade your feet in the water or cross Louisiana Avenue and continue the boardwalk adventure on the other side of the street. It’s a peaceful place for a stroll, with benches, bridges, views, and quiet.
- Strollers: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Local Snack: Muddy Paws Cheesecake (limited hours) or Park Tavern (for some curds)
- Extras: Very accessible. Bring a book, bring your dog, bring your headphones. And this boardwalk has sides so wild childs won’t/can’t fall off/in.
5) Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood
This floating boardwalk was such a pleasant surprise. The nature center (and parking lot) felt so small compared to the other ones I’d visited, but I think that’s what I loved about it. Tucked inside a neighborhood, it was a cool boardwalk that “wobbled”, which kids will like. It felt very much “in nature” and very much not “in city.” That’s the point, I guess.
- Strollers: If can handle off-road flooring, then yes
- Dogs: No
- Local Snack: BOGA Ice Cream & Burger (seasonal hours)
- Extras: There is a nature play yard with stones, logs, and bridges (fenced in), some good geocaching, a butterfly garden, and quick and easy access to the boardwalk. Going around the whole lake does not take too long and the vibe is so chill. Their website also offers Nature Bingo.
6) Theodore Wirth’s Quaking Bog, Minneapolis
A natural, tranquil escape in the heart of one of the country’s biggest metros is a truly remarkable place to spend a couple hours. Theodore Wirth offers mountain biking, fishing, swimming, playgrounds, gardens, and – our favorite – the Quaking Bog. This floating boardwalk sits on muddy water filled with unique plants and the occasional turtle. I wrote a whole blog dedicated to the bog here.
- Strollers: No
- Dogs: Yes
- Local Snack: Treats Cereal Bar & Boba (donuts, waffles, ice cream, smoothies, boba, lemonade)
- Extras: The bog is narrow and can be muddy – be sure to stay on the walkway to protect the plant species growing here. While in Theo Wirth Park, be sure to check out Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden for a lovely extension of your walk. Parking at the bog is metered. Finding the bog can be tricky, but basically go straight out from the parking lot and look for the signs.
7) Westwood Hills Nature Center, St. Louis Park
I have yet to walk this boardwalk and NOT see a deer either in the distance or straight in front my path. The boardwalk is very long at this nature center with T- and Y-docks to get better looks at the water (we’ve seen fish, turtles, even a giant snapping turtle). The full loop around Westwood Lake is about 2.5 miles and the full loop scenery is as serene as it comes.
- Strollers: On boardwalks, yes. In the hilly areas, no.
- Dogs: No
- Local Snack: Angel Food Bakery (get the Big A$$ Pretzel…with cheese)
- Extras: There is a bee apiary that is cool to see and the interpretive center was recently redone with cool animals and comfortable seating areas. Outside they care for an injured (and recovering) red-tailed hawk that loves company. This is a beautiful visit all seasons of the year.
8) Quarry Park Nature Preserve, Waite Park
The Quarry is so stinking cool! While the boardwalk is only a small part of this nature preserve, the awesomeness of the rest of this place compensates for the lack of wooden walkway. At the Quarry, you’ll find giant mining quarries, rogue bedrock, cliff jumping, reflective pools of deep, clear, teal water, and lengthy paths that take you through various terrain and gorgeous scenery.
- Strollers: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Local Snack: Nelson Bros. Restaurant & Bakery (tucked inside a travel plaza – pie slices and donuts the size of your head!)
- Extras: The pools are massive, each on prettier than the next. Swimming is a summer option here, but there are no lifeguards on duty. The cliff jumping is higher than it looks, geocaching and fishing are fun options, but just walking aroun seeing the quarries and history is pretty rad. I wrote about the Quarry in my last hiking blog here.
9) Oakdale Nature Preserve, Oakdale
This nature preserve felt overwhelming to me, but I can’t put my finger on why. I saw my one and only snake here and it did take me awhile to locate Mud Lake (where the short boardwalk resides), but once I got there, it was a lovely place to take some photos and take in the calm of the water. The paths here are lovely, but mostly paved without a lot of variation. Fun fact: There are fitness stations marked throughout the park if you’re in the mood for a pull-up break or a quick shoulder rotation.
- Strollers: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Local Snack: Luv Ice Cream – located HERE (women-owned, dairy and vegan options, gluten-free and no added sugars!)
- Extras: The boardwalk here is really quite short, located on Mud Lake. Seek out some of the enchanted gardens and remember to take a photo of the map (or download the app). It felt very easy to get lost here due to its 200 acres of similar-looking paved trails.
10) Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
This nature center is tucked away in the Hyland Hills and most of the boardwalks pass as overlook docks or sit out in the open fields more than right behind the interpretive center. But it’s such a lovely natural space to roam and be in your own thoughts – or to find leaves, birds, a turtle basking pond, goose nests, benches, wetlands, and more. It’s huge so be sure to not get lost! Plus their interpretive center. is my favorite
- Strollers: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Local Snack: Westside Perk (coffee for mom and dad; gluten-free donut options, but get the scotcharoo!)
- Extras: There is a Nature Exploration Area for kids to build forts and climb around. Their interpretive center is the best I’ve been to with multiple levels, interactive exhibits, animals, patios, ample seating, reading spaces, classrooms, and more. It’s really very beautiful.
Other great options for local boardwalks (+ link to location):
- Elm Creek Mud Lake, Maple Grove
- Lake Camelot Park, Plymouth
- Baylor Regional Park, Norwood Young America
- Dodge Nature Center (Marie Property), West St. Paul
- Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail, Edina
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