Anoka Nature Preserve — Attraction in Anoka

This has been my favorite running spot for a few years now. There's a nice loop that goes down to the river, and there are also plenty of trails nearer to the parking lot that go through the trees. The trails are well kept, so I'm never really worried about slipping and sliding or turning an ankle when I'm here. These trails also connect to the paved trails that follow the river past the high school, so you don't need to just think of this as a microcosm; there's endless possibility for connecting this to a larger running route.

Note for anyone when you go, however: please keep your dogs on a leash. This is posted at the preserve. You may think your dog is wonderful and won't do anything to anyone, but this is a public place, and leashes...

Really beautiful and varied walk. The Rum River section is particularly pretty, although you can only see it clearly in a couple of places. It looks like it would be a wonderful section to canoe (do not know where the closest entry point is). Wide chipped stone paths made for an easy walk. The gnarled burr oaks throughout the wooded sections are spectacular. Great crested flycatchers. indigo buntings and sandhill cranes were some of the bird highlights. We went there early on a Sunday morning and saw no one else. Very dog friendly: our greyhounds really enjoyed the walk. There was also a small picnic pavilion a little ways along the trail and a playground by...

Excellent little bit of nature in Anoka. In the 200+ acres of land, there are oak savannas, Rum River waterfront, rolling terrain, open areas. There is a playground near the trailhead behind the Rum River Library. We walked along the wide gravel path-for 2 miles. There are cross country ski trails and snowshoeing when...