Jemma Killmer, owner of Minnesota Mermaid, paddleboarding on Prior Lake. Photo: Chris Emeott
While I have no plans to compete in a serious triathlon anytime soon, my perfect summer day definitely involves a beach, a bike ride and a run, hike or walk. I love exploring our local parks and trails, and these are a few of my favorite stops in Apple Valley, Lakeville and Prior Lake.
Swim
Splash Valley Water Park
With a zero-entry pool, waterslides and a lazy river, the old Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center is an ideal spot for families to cool off on a hot day. And now it’s received upgrades: a new name and new water features, lawn games, additional shaded areas and more. It also offers season passes and punch cards for Apple Valley residents and nonresidents. Splash Valley is scheduled to open daily starting June 6, but visit the city’s website for updates. The morning and evening water walking and lap swimming hours also offer a fabulous opportunity to get in an outdoor workout even on the stickiest days of summer. 14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley; cityofapplevalley.org
Orchard Lake Beach
The most obvious place to hit the beach in Lakeville is Antlers Park (20141 Ipava Ave., Lakeville; lakevillemn.gov). It’s got a newly renovated playground and a beautiful sand beach, and LBC on the Lake serves up ice cream, food and beer. While I love it there (especially in the early morning), if I want a chill beach day, I head on over to Orchard Lake Beach. This tiny little scrap of beach tucked between homes on Orchard Lake is great for families with young children because there’s not much of a walk between the parking lot and the beach, and it’s easy to keep an eye on everyone in the small area. 17195 Judicial Road, Lakeville; lakevillemn.gov
Watzl’s Beach
It’s a bit of a walk to reach the beach from the parking lot, but the nice sand and beautiful lake views are worth it. This beach is a frequent launching point for Minnesota Mermaid, a paddleboard rental company that also offers summer camps, guided excursions for groups, paddle and craft events and more. It’s a great spot for both swimming and launching a paddleboard, canoe or kayak. 5000 KOP Parkway SE, Prior Lake;
priorlakemn.gov
Bike
Lebanon Hills Regional Park – West Trailhead
Bikers stop for a selfie at the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Photo: Dakota County
I am not a mountain biker, however my husband and kids are just getting into the sport. Last summer, one of my daughters took a fabulous week-long camp through Dakota County Parks with instructors from Valley Bike and Ski (valleybikeandski.com). The class met at the West Trailhead to make use of Lebanon Hills’ 12-plus miles of mountain biking trails and mountain bike skills park. While she was a bit intimidated at first, by the end of the week, she was ready to do more exploring. She made it sound like so much fun, and I’m tempted to try it! 4801 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Eagan; dakotacounty.us
Downtown Lakeville to Antlers Park
Although this isn’t a strenuous bike ride, it sure makes for a delightful morning or afternoon, especially when Antlers Park is wildly busy. Start your trip in downtown Lakeville, making sure to fuel up at one of the local restaurants, coffee shops or breweries and pick up the trail on Howland Avenue between 208th Street W. and 209th Street W. (behind Lakeville Brewing Co.). Stay on the trail (It’ll cross Dodd Boulevard.), heading northeast until it reaches 202nd Street W. across from Antlers Park. Enjoy Antlers Park, and then head back to your car—it’s only about 3 miles round trip.
Bonus Option: Park at Casperson Park, and take the Juno Trail around Lake Marion. Take a left at 205th Street W., following the trail to head toward Antlers Park; pick up the bike trail to downtown Lakeville, eat lunch and return to Casperson. This would be about 7–8 miles round-trip.
Spoiler Alert: This trail from Casperson to Downtown Lakeville is a portion of the future Lake Marion Greenway. When it’s completed, it’ll start at Ritter Farm Park. Find details, and follow the project at lakemariongreenway.com.
Big Woods Regional Trail
If you’re getting the vibe that I like a nice pit stop with my bike rides, you’re not wrong. It’s easy to pick up the Big Woods Regional Trail at Cleary Lake Park and take it to Spring Lake Park (or vice versa). The path is about 7 miles one way, and it’s very convenient to make a pit stop in downtown Prior Lake where you can find craft brews, wine, baked goods and more. (One caveat: There is some planned road work on County Highway 82 this summer, so double check the route before you go!) Eventually, this trail will be extended to connect to Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, Minnesota Valley State Trail and the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail. threeriversparks.org
Run or Hike
Minnesota Zoo Tree Top Trail
The Tree Top Trail at the Minnesota Zoo is a peaceful way to start the day with a walk through the tree canopy. Photo: Minnesota Zoo
My ideal day starts with some sort of outdoor expedition, and the morning walking hour for Minnesota Zoo members on the Tree Top Trail provides the opportunity for some quiet reflection in nature before the day has a chance to heat up. 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley; mnzoo.org
Ritter Farm Park
The scenery sure is beautiful, but there’s one thing that stands out after running, hiking or snowshoeing at Ritter Farm: the hills. If you’re looking for a good cardio workout, the trails at Ritter Farm do not disappoint. There’s a nice mix of steep hills and gradual hills paired with both wooded and prairie views. If you love the park, don’t miss the Run the Ritter (runtheritter.com) in November. 19300 Ritter Trail, Lakeville; lakevillemn.gov
Jeffers Pond Park
Unfortunately, my kids are starting to age out of one of my favorite family activities: the nature scavenger hunt. We’d pick a theme, like flowers or colors or textures, and then walk to spot items that fit the theme. With its varied scenery and short hiking paths, Jeffers Pond Park is perfect for this kind of simple exploration. 3565 Jeffers Parkway NW, Prior Lake; priorlakemn.gov
