Lake Elmo Park Reserve

1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042, USA

Address:	1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042, USA
Phone:	+1 651-430-8370
Site:	co.washington.mn.us
Rating:	4.5
Working:	7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 13

matt sieg

I thought the seven dollar daily entrance fee or the 30 dollar yearly pass were both quite ridiculous and not worth the cash. The Washington county board cannot reasonably justify fees of such an aggregious amount for the use of a park or a few parks in its park system. The Lino Lakes Park Reserve is not a state park nor do the amenities, trails, or scenery compare to most operated by MN DNR. Im only generalizing, and maybe unfairly, I do not know the ins and outs of the politics of Washington Co; but I can ony assume Wash Co has buget issues due to a low property tax rate which is enouraging rich ppl to build mansions and get away defrauding their community of essential amenities--like say free regional parks and open spaces. Its quite un-Minnesotan to charge fees for a county park system, and I encourage the county board members to re-examine their values and remember what Minnesotas public spaces are all about--inclusion for all. The scenic areas worth seeing are found on the south side of the park around the lakes and ponds. If you do go, a great area to park and get in for free is found on the streets of Lake Elmo on the N side of the lake. Its a distance tho, to the South side of the park, so bring your bikes or be prepared for a long trail run thataways.

anna yang

We have had an annual pass for the last 5 years! Our kids love it here! We even camp here though we live close. Today, I was disappointed and annoyed by the park staff. We ask the office if the north shelter was reserved and they said no. We thought, great first come first serve! We even asked a parks worker when we got to the site and he said the same thing. With the rainy forecast there was no one in sight upon arrival. After an hour of grilling, the parks sheriff (I think) came over and told us we could not use the shelter because we did not pay for a reservation. We explained we spoke to the office upon arrival. He then told us they gave us wrong info. He then told us to either pay $130 for the rental or move out of the shelter even though there was no reservation! We decided to move but only after we finished grilling! That is disturbing. We paid to get a in and cant use the amenities? Even the bathroom said you can only use if you reserve the shelter otherwise there is a portable potty. On top of this, maintenance people showed up on 4-5 different occasions to take down a sign, a volleyball net, clean up around the sand volleyball courts and who knows what else. I felt like we were being watched! And this was on Memorial day!

DC Musgrove

Great regional park. The Nordic Business Center looked pretty new and offered excellent wifi. The prices in the park for RV camping were good, but you should expect electric only (30A) with good dump site close in the modern camping section and fill your tanks for fresh water as none of the sites offer water. The park is really the reason to come here. Its gorgeous and pretty much an oasis near downtown Minneapolis-St. Paul. Its just outside Woodbury, which is a really cool and upscale community. Good dining opps everywhere and big brand shopping. Then back to nature at Lake Elmo so you feel like youre in a nature retreat. Will definitely come here again when we next pass through the Twin Cities area.

Bee Xiong

My family and I purchase annual park permits for our vehicles every year because we enjoy going to the various Washington County Park Reserves. On Memorial Day, we visited the park and I stopped into the main park office to renew our permit. The ladies behind the desk area wouldnt allow me to renew my park permit because I still had a valid one that is good for the remainder of the month. I couldnt believe it! I found that to be ridiculous and so annoying! I just walked out of there shaking my head. Washington County needs to review their policies or do better at hiring and training in staff who is more customer service friendly. I guess those ladies were crabby because they had to work on a holiday.

MN MN

Nice patch of wilderness, out on the trails. Three big playgrounds throughout the park. Two lakes: one with trails, and one for boats. Archery range is sweet. The rustic campground is kinda like camping in a farm field. Spring and fall are best because of bugs; otherwise theres so much water and woods, the bugs get bad in summer; this includes ticks. The swim area, its big sand beach and picnic area is nice during summer, and its fun for kids to bike around on the sidewalks even if its closed.

A Private User

This is a wonderful county park, campsites are in beautiful nature settings with plenty of room for privacy between campers. Bath house and restrooms are kept immaculatly clean. We make a yearly trip to St. Paul and once we found this park we wont stay at KOA which is down the road. We can do without a sewer and use the parks dump station and enjoy natures quiet setting.

A Private User

John McKeague

One of the best parks in or around the cities. Lots of paths and hiking trails. Multiple playgrounds for the kids. 3 separate campgrounds depending on your preferred style. Picnic areas for families and groups. Boat launch access to Lake Elmo and a man made beach and swimming area the was just redone. This place has something for everyone.

dustin Nystel

This park is amazing, but their website is almost impossible to use for reservations. State parks allow you to pick specific spots and most offer panoramic pictures of each site. Good luck even navigating to a spot to reserve a spot at this park. If you want a group site your completely out of luck.

Andy Cosgrove

This is a great park for day use (hiking, swimming, biking). The campground is very nice, but Im puzzled why they dont allow dogs. I do a LOT of camping and have never been to a campground that doesnt allow dogs. Seems a bit pretentious of Washington County to me. We dont ever camp here anymore.

mastiff2921

This place is good. I like camping here, not a lot of privacy between sites but so close to home that it great. We bring the boat and fish Lake Elmo in the morning before the crazy tubers start up at 1200. It would be nice to see more of a presence from the WashCo Sherri

Britany Benoit aka StormieDae

The showers are great, the bathrooms are clean, the campsites are well maintained. They are highly "policed" by the staff to reduce riff raff which can be good or bad. If i had to camp in the area again, i would do it here.

Christian Wilkie

Very attractive natural environment, yet also very accessible to those with disabilities. The lake was very clear when we went and the wildlife was bustling. Features a clean swimming area and ample dining grounds.