Explore the Watershed
Learn
Connect with natural resources across the District
From State Parks and nature centers, to lake access and regional trails. This is your guide to connecting with the natural resources across the South Washington Watershed District.
Afton State Park
Afton, MN
Located within SWWD, along the bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River, Afton State Park provides direct access to the river. The park offers extensive hiking, camping, and other recreational amenities. Get up close and personal with one of the District’s largest drainage basins.
- Trail Access
- Water Access
- Parking
- Family-Friendly
- Restrooms
- Camping
- Wildlife & Nature
- Picnic
- Parking Permit Required
Carpenter Nature Center
Hastings, MN
Carpenter Nature Center is a one-stop shop for year-round recreation and environmental education opportunities. The property offers several miles of hiking trails across its 425 acres, including scenic views of the St Croix River. Explore the vastly different landscapes as you hike along restored prairies, deep ravines, river bluffs, and pine and deciduous forests. Stop by the Apple Shack in the fall and pick up a bag of fresh apples grown on the property.
- Trail Access
- Water Access
- Parking
- Family-Friendly
- Restrooms
- Wildlife & Nature
- Picnic
Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
Cottage Grove, MN
The Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park is a Washington County park containing 515 acres of hills and wooded areas, hiking trails, and paved trails. The park provides direct access to Ravine Lake, which the South Washington Watershed District manages.
- Trail Access
- Water Access
- Parking
- Family-Friendly
- Restrooms
- Wildlife & Nature
- Fishing Pier
- Canoe/Kayak Launch
- Picnic
- Playground
- Parking Permit Required
Dodge Nature Center – Shepard Farm Property
Cottage Grove, MN
Shepard Farm at Dodge Nature Center is a truly unique environmental experience. Located in Cottage Grove, the 140 acres of land features 100-year-old woods, 1920s era historic buildings and barns, restored prairie, community gardens, a bee apiary, and animal pastures. Explore the property on your own every day from sunrise to sunset, or take part in one of their many naturalist-led programs.
- Trail Access
- Parking
- Family-Friendly
- Wildlife & Nature
Glacial Valley Park
Cottage Grove, MN
Located on the border of Woodbury and Cottage Grove, Glacial Valley Park is a cast conservation corridor at the heart of the South Washington Watershed District. The 250 acres of restored prairie and oak savanna is a protected open space, providing important wildlife habitat and a regional infiltration basin that protects the surrounding neighborhoods from flooding.
- Trail Access
- Parking
- Family-Friendly
- Wildlife & Nature
Hasenbank Stormwater Park
Woodbury, MN
Hasenbank Stormwater Park is a one-of-a-kind park combining stormwater infiltration, woodland restoration, and public art. Walk the trails and see stormwater management in action among the three infiltration basins. Explore the public art and discover how we engineer stormwater solutions to improve water quality and mitigate flooding.
- Trail Access
- Family-Friendly
- Wildlife & Nature
Powers Lake
Woodbury, MN
Located in Woodbury, Powers Lake is a hidden green space amongst the surrounding neighborhoods. It features a 1.6-mile paved trail around the northeast portion of the lake. Head east and cross St. John’s Dr. to gain access to even more trails at nearby Hasenbank Park.
- Trail Access
- Parking
- Restrooms
- Water Access
- Family-Friendly
- Wildlife & Nature
- Fishing Pier
- Canoe/Kayak Launch
- Picnic
- Playground
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Hastings, MN
This regional park in Hastings offers 685 acres of wild and scenic views of the St. Croix River. Several recreational opportunities are available at this site, including sports fields and courts, paved trails, motorized boating, and camping.
- Trail Access
- Parking
- Water Access
- Family-Friendly
- Camping
- Wildlife & Nature
- Fishing Pier
- Canoe/Kayak Launch
- Picnic
- Playground
- Parking Permit Required
