Whether you live in Bloomington, Minnesota, or are just visiting, there’s so much to see and do, especially outdoors. Bloomington has a thriving park system, full of activities like biking, hiking, skiing, and more. Here’s a look at some of the best parks in Bloomington, Minnesota. 
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Centrally located in the heart of Bloomington, Hyland Lake Park has something for everyone. With winter nearly upon us, the Hyland Hills Ski area is open for business. They have over 11 trails plus two terrain parks for skiing and snowboarding.
Hours vary at Hyland Hills Ski Area, so check their website for details. Rates start at just $18.90 for seniors, $28.83 for juniors, and $32.55 for adults.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve is also home to the Richardson Nature Center. Indoors you’ll find works by sculptor Chris Tully depicting nature in all its wonder. The back wall of the center is all windows looking out at the beautiful preserve. It also views their own active beehive.
Outside the center, you’ll find miles of trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Check out the wildlife while wandering the trails, and be sure to pick up one of their free kits before you go. The center provides bird watching backpacks, pond exploration kits, frog kits, and even bug kits to help you discover and learn about the local habitat.
Tierney’s Woods
Located near Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Tierney’s Woods is a peaceful wooded paradise. Tierney’s Woods is full of challenging hiking trails, so gear up and get out and have some fun. Don’t forget a camera to capture all the wildlife from deer and foxes to birds like osprey, swans, and even turkeys.
Anderson Lakes Park
This park is all about the lakes. Trails for biking, hiking, and dog walking wind their way through the park, and around the lakes. They offer stunning views of nature, wildlife, and are great for bird watching. In the winter, you can try your hand, or feet, at snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
This expansive refuge stretches over 70 miles along the Minnesota River. It comprises over 14,000 acres of woods, wetlands, and prairie, and is dedicated to preserving the natural habitat.
You can explore the Floodplain Forest, and encounter birds like the red-headed woodpecker, red-shouldered hawk, and wood duck. You can also see bald eagles, herons, and osprey.
You can also visit the Tallgrass Prairie, an area dedicated to reestablishing the native prairie grasses that once dominated the region. The plan includes active vegetation removal through controlled burning to bring back those native grasses.
The refuge also features a variety of wetlands, from shallow wet meadows, flooded marshes, and calcareous fens. All of the wetlands are spring-fed, but the refuge has installed many water-controlling structures to help them manage the levels. This enables them to maintain a healthy habitat year-round.
Anyone who loves the outdoors will certainly love exploring in Bloomington, Minnesota. Next time you feel like getting some fresh air, and getting closer to nature, you should visit one of these great parks. You’ll be glad you did.
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