Lake Elmo Park Reserve — Hotel in Lake Elmo

I have every trail and permanent landmark in Lake Elmo Park Reserve memorized. I first used the existing Nordic skiing trail system in the winter of 1993, when the only available shelter with any form of heat was the snowshoe building adjacent to the parking of the Eagle Point ( red loop ) trail. Signs posted at the modern Nordic center detail how funding for the lighted trail system ( building, parking lot, etc. ) was attained. I cannot stress the following enough: please adhere to the posted rules when using the groomed cross-country ski trails. This means, if there is any white stuff on the ground at all ( especially if it's groomed with a very expensive machine from Sweden that I helped to lobby for very in a very small way while employed with Washington County Parks ), you are not to travel the aforementioned surface with anything other than a ski. I watched several "I'm a taxpayer that thinks I'm somehow special and my stubborn political stance affords me to act in an unethical manner when I deem it appropriate" law-infracting patrons saunter out onto gleaming white corduroy with multiple large, unleashed dogs and heavy boots which immediately damaged the skiing surface for at least 40+ skiers on that particular night. Remember that ticket that showed up in the mail, cupcake? That was because I care about my community, and I'll not have you disobey a state law, seeing as I, by myself, or with the help of others, spent 6 months of my existence maintaining these trails, specifically. Washington County law enforcement will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have while you're trying to convince them that you're special, to the point where you believe that vandalism of a State park is not punishable by law. Do not mess with Lake Elmo Park Reserve. If you find my review ( and subsequent ultimatum ) to be too scathing, you would not want to converse with me in person. If you have any sincere questions about the park, and you happen to meet me in passing, I'll be happy to answer...

Lake Elmo Park is without question the most manicured county park and campground I have ever seen anywhere. The county obviously takes great pride in this park as they should. The park includes a man-made swimming "pond", but it is actually a cleansed, groomed large sanded swimming area and not a murky "pond". It includes large permanent beach umbrellas for shade. The park has extensive well maintained paved and unpaved hiking/bicycling trails.

There are three types of campgrounds here: Modern, rustic, and walk-in. The modern campgrounds are clean with immaculate running water toilets and a HUGE playground. All the modern campsites have electric hook-up and are reasonably spaced apart and there is greenery, trees, shade, etc. The walk-in campgrounds are nice and shaded and secluded, but you must walk about one city block distance from the parking lot to the sites. non-flush toilets, but the very nice running water toilets at the beautiful Nordic Center is accessible in a nearby walk. The rustic sites are a disappointment as they are a tightly spaced, unshaded group of sites placed on a parched mound/hill in the middle of a field. Certainly dreadfully hot during summer days and frightfully exposed and windy during storms. NOTE: Pets and alcohol are not allowed in the campgrounds which may be an inconvenience for some guests, but probably eliminates 90% of the problems most other campgrounds have.

The one very serious deterrent is the gun shooting range located near the park. Starting from just before 8:00 AM Sunday morning was a non-stop loud POW, POW, BANG, POW at least every 7 to 10 seconds that continued for many hours. It woke my wife and me up. We left at 11:00 AM and the shooting was still going on. So, despite the nice park, we will not be going there again due to the "war...

So my niece was invited to a kids birthday cookout here and I had never been there before and was thoroughly surprised! What an amazing place. Besides having a boat launch, horse trails, hiking and biking trails, they had what was called the swim pond. I had no idea what to expect and was amazed at what we found. It did cost us money to get into the reserve and park: $7.00 but really I look at it as the cost of keeping places like this clean and update in order for people to visit. I consider the cost minor compared to what you get in return. The place was huge! When we passed all the other roads for various paths etc., we reached the "swim pond". Personally I would name it something else as pond is definitely not the right word. It is however man-made but crystal clear water and sand all the way around and in the middle. The water goes from shallow on one side for younger children up to I believe 4.5 feet on the other. There is filtration system that keeps the water extremely clean and a handicap accessible ramp on side which is amazing in itself! A snack bar on one side and green grass on the other with many picnic tables and additional parking along with a playground too! Both the swim area and the playground have bathroom facilities. The only drawback was that every single hour they made you get out of the water for five minutes to be sure you account for everyone who is with you. I do understand and appreciate the safety on this rule, but believe every other hour would be just as effective and less disruptive. I wish I had better.pictures of the swim area and the playground but my phone loss battery. However I will return and be sure to take photos to add...