The best parks & outdoor spots in Anoka County

Accessible, 15-acre park with picnic shelters, basketball courts, play equipment, a garden & trails.

This open, grassy hillside park offers uninterrupted views of the Cathedral of Saint Paul.

Reservoir Woods Parking & Trailhead drops you right into 115 acres of hilly pines, wetlands, prairie, and savanna, with soft trails restored to stay wild but walkable. If you’ve got a four-legged running mate, the nearby Woodview Off-Leash Dog Park lets pups roam free.

From the Ramsey County newsletter, October 22, 2026

Tranquil city park with birch trees, flowers & a man-made stream, plus a pavilion for live events.

This 450-acre public space features a zoo, lake, golf course, gardens & multiple picnic pavilions.

Park featuring a play area, a ballfield, a hockey rink, a sliding hill, disc golf, restrooms & more.

When you need a quick reset close to home, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park delivers with a breezy walkway across the dam, wide paved trails, and plenty of postcard-worthy scenery. Perfect for a coffee-in-hand stroll, a family bike lap, or clearing your head after work, it’s the easy win your week needs.

From the Anoka County newsletter, October 24, 2026

Tree-filled park offering a playground, picnic shelters with electricity & scenic overlooks.

Diverse habitats & wildlife plus hiking trails, floating boardwalks & an interpretive center.

Shady spot for a picnic with tables amid an arboretum, along with a network of woodland trails.

Outdoor recreation area with facilities for basketball, soccer, tennis, baseball, and a playground.

7 acres of paved trails, plus picnic areas & access to fishing on the river.

72 miles of canoeing & boating, plus hiking, biking, fishing, birdwatching & visitor centers.

Roomy outdoor space with sports fields & a dog park, plus a playground & picnic pavilions.

Forested floodplain along the Mississippi with a small lake & walking paths, plus fishing & birding.

Open space along the river with an indoor event pavilion, paddle boats, a stage & a bed-&-breakfast.

This area with paved trails & a swimming beach has an 18-hole golf course, sports courts & more.

Canoe rental is available at this public park with kids' activities, volleyball & a public beach.