There's lots to see and do in the 181 square miles of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. This page introduces you to just a few of the many great places for 
recreation. Check them out and send us your own ideas and photos!
Minnehaha Creek Headwaters Park
Gideon Glen Wetland Restoration
Edina Mill
Paddle your Way to an Urban Adventure
Other links for recreation within the District
Three River Park District
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Cities within the District
Minnehaha Creek Headwaters Park
Minnehaha Creek Headwaters Park offers a great spot to launch a canoe, go fishing, and learn about nature. From the Gray's Bay boat launch on Highway 101 in Minnetonka, take Gray's Bay Blvd all the way to the headwaters. Go there yourself or take a virtual tour of the interpretive signs at the site:
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Gideon Glen
Wetland Restoration/water quality demonstration project
offers an education experience through interpretative signs and trail. Get a glimpse of the Big Woods. Gideon Glen is located on North West side of the intersection at Smithtown Rd and CR 19 in City of Shorewood. Go there yourself or take a virtual tour of the interpretive signs at the site:
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Take a step back in time; discover how the Edina Mill helped Union Soldiers in the Civil War and learn how this area was famous for its progressive farming techniques and for its fox fine strains of cattle. The interpretative signs of are located near the Browndale Dam on Browndale Ave and 50th St. West in the City of Edina.
Enjoy the sights of the Creek. Go there yourself or take a virtual tour of the interpretive signs at the site:
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Paddle Your Way To An Urban Adventure!
For anyone bold enough to step outside the concrete jungle into a more fluid environment, Minnehaha Creek offers a fun urban adventure.
Starting at Gray’s Bay on Lake Minnetonka, the creek flows east through Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Edina and Minneapolis before tumbling 53 feet over its namesake falls and into the Mississippi. Along the way, 20 canoe landings maintained by MCWD provide access to a short float or a longer journey. The entire length of the creek can be paddled in about six to nine hours, depending on water levels and other factors.
Inexperienced paddlers are cautioned that the creek can quickly fluctuate from a lazy trickle during dry spells to a more serious torrent after heavy rains. The water level in the creek is partially controlled by a dam at Gray’s Bay, but numerous stormwater discharge pipes add to its flow downstream of Minnetonka. During high flows, fallen trees and low bridges can present hazards. There are two required portages. Click here to learn more about canoeing Minnehaha Creek.
Copies of the Minnehaha Creek Canoe Route and Watershed Map can be obtained by calling the MCWD office at 952-471-0590. You also can download a smaller version suitable for printing.