Fort Snelling State Park Campground
Open — Open year-round for day use only. No camping facilities available.
July 4th Riverfront Walks cancelled
The July 4th, 11am and 1pm ranger led Riverfront Walks of Saint Anthony Falls are cancelled due to accessibility issues from road closures. Please visit events calendar for other programs.
Holiday Closures for Mississippi River Visitor Center
The Mississippi River Visitor Center will be closed December 24th and 25th for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It will reopen on Thursday, December 26th.
Limited access at Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring springhouse.
Access at Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring around the springhouse is limited for cleaning. Work is expected to be complete by the end of day on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Coldwater Spring closed due to construction on May 28 until 7 p.m.
Portions of Coldwater Spring will be closed to the public for trail and parking lot maintenance. Access to the parking lot, springhouse and gravel trails will be closed. Access around Coldwater on the bike trails should still be available.
New Hours for Mississippi River Visitor Center
Starting Friday, March 22, 2024, the Mississippi River Visitor Center will close at 5:00 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. We will remain open as usual Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Operations at Saint Anthony Falls Visitor Center
NPS employees are no longer staffing the Saint Anthony Falls Visitor Center. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with questions pertaining to the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock & Dam.
Widespread Flooding
With heavy rainfall and more forecasted, much of the park is experiencing worsening flood conditions. Please exercise caution when on the river, flood conditions can create hazardous river conditions. Visit water.noaa.gov for updates on conditions.
Mississippi River Visitor Center Closure
The visitor center will be closed from 9/02-05 and 9/09-12 (Mon-Fri). We will be open 9/06-07 (Sat-Sun) and back to normal hours on Saturday, September 13. For visitor information during closures, email miss_info@nps.gov.
Early Closure - Mississippi River Visitor Center (5/01)
The Mississippi River Visitor Center will close at 3 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 1st due to an event at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Riverfront Walking Tours Cancelled (9/08)
The Riverfront Walking Tours in downtown Minneapolis scheduled for Sunday, September 8th are cancelled. Check the event calendar or contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center for future dates.
Cancelled Programs (7/31-8/01)
Our Paddle with a Ranger and Riverfront Walking Tour programs are cancelled for Thursday, July 31st and Friday, August 1st for poor air quality.
Visitor Center Closes Early (7/17)
The Mississippi River Visitor Center has closed early today due to an early closure from the Science Museum of Minnesota. We reopen Friday, July 18th, at 9 am.
About
Fort Snelling State Park sits at the strategic confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, offering urban recreation and natural respite. Despite having no campground, it ranks among Minnesota's most visited state parks. The park provides 5 miles of paved trails and 10 miles of gravel trails connecting to an extensive regional trail network, plus 12 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails in winter. Snelling Lake serves as the park's aquatic centerpiece, offering swimming, fishing from a dedicated pier, and canoe rentals. A public boat ramp provides Minnesota River access. Pike Island's trails lead visitors to the river confluence, an area of deep cultural significance to the Mdewakanton Dakota people. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with plentiful birds, deer, and other species inhabiting the park's diverse habitats. The Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center features interpretive exhibits and films about the park's natural and cultural history. The park adjoins the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and lies near Historic Fort Snelling, a National Historic Landmark offering views of 1820s military life. Seven major paved bike trails link the park to surrounding communities.
Directions
Fort Snelling State Park is located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just west of the main terminal exit for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Afton State Park Day Use Facilities 20mi
- Afton State Park Campground 20mi
- Willow River State Park Campground 26mi
- Savanna Campground 31mi
- William O Brien State Park Group Campground 31mi
- William O Brien State Park Camper Cabins 31mi
- Riverway Campground 31mi
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground 38mi
- Lower St. Croix District 33mi
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $150 - $300 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (612) 725-2724 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
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