Maplewood, Minnesota offers accessible outdoor fun with hiking, biking, paddling, and cross-country skiing across vibrant parks and lakes. It’s a great family-friendly spot close to the Twin Cities for year-round exploration.
Maplewood, Minnesota offers accessible outdoor fun with hiking, biking, paddling, and cross-country skiing across vibrant parks and lakes. It’s a great family-friendly spot close to the Twin Cities for year-round exploration.
Outdoor Adventure in Maplewood, Minnesota
Maplewood is a suburban town east of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, perfect for travelers seeking relaxed outdoor activities close to urban conveniences. With a variety of parks, trails, lakes, and preserves, Maplewood welcomes hikers, bikers, paddlers, and winter sports enthusiasts.
Discover the unique natural wonders, summits, and scenic landmarks that make Maplewood, Minnesota special.
★ 6.5⌖ 1.43 milesEasyLake Phalen in St. Paul, Minnesota features an easy 3.1-mile paved loop trail with lakeside views and small waterfalls. Ideal for paddleboarding, hiking, and picnics, it offers family-friendly recreation with playgrounds and boat rentals. Best visited late spring through early fall.
★ 6.8⌖ 11.17 milesEasyLake Hiawatha in Minneapolis offers an easy, family-friendly lake experience with calm waters ideal for paddleboarding, walking trails, and birdwatching. Located just 15 minutes from downtown, it's a peaceful urban spot great for nature lovers and casual outdoor activities.
★ 7.5⌖ 11.83 milesEasyLocated in Minneapolis, Lake Nokomis offers an easy and accessible urban lake experience with swimming, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Popular in summer, the 2.7-mile paved trail circles the lake, making it great for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking relaxation and recreation.
★ 6.5⌖ 11.93 milesEasyLake Nokomis Park in Minneapolis offers an easy, 2.7-mile paved trail around an 800-acre lake ideal for paddleboarding, fishing, running, and swimming. Family-friendly with lifeguards in summer, it provides accessible urban nature just 20 minutes from downtown.
★ 6.8⌖ 13.42 milesEasyLake of the Isles Park in Minneapolis offers an easy and accessible 2.8-mile paved loop great for paddleboarding, biking, and walking. Enjoy peaceful waters, wildlife viewing, and picnic spots in an urban setting. Best visited year-round with busier summer weekends.
★ 6.4⌖ 13.45 milesEasyExplore Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis for easy kayaking, biking, and walking on smooth lake trails. Enjoy calm waters in spring through fall and ice skating festivals in winter. This peaceful urban lake offers accessible outdoor fun with scenic views and local wildlife sightings.
★ 7.2⌖ 13.72 milesEasyBde Maka Ska in Minneapolis offers an easy lakeside escape with activities like sailing, windsurfing, fishing, biking, and walking. Accessible by car, it features calm waters and scenic views with trails around the lake. Popular in summer and valued for its natural and cultural significance.
★ 6.5⌖ 13.89 milesEasyCedar Lake in Minneapolis offers easy access to calm waters and scenic trails perfect for paddleboarding, biking, and birdwatching. A quiet urban lake with beaches and native plants, it’s ideal for family-friendly outdoor activities in a peaceful setting, best visited late spring to early fall.
★ 4⌖ 13.97 milesEasyCedar Lake Point Beach in Minneapolis offers a peaceful sandy shoreline with calm waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Easily accessible by car, the area is perfect for quiet lakeside relaxation, cycling the nearby loop trail, and birdwatching in a natural setting close to the city.
★ 6.8⌖ 13.99 milesEasyLocated in Minneapolis, Lake Harriet South Beach offers an easy, family-friendly lakeside beach with gentle swimming, biking, and walking trails. Ideal during spring through fall, it features calm waters, shaded areas, and scenic views in an accessible urban park setting.
★ 7.2⌖ 14.09 milesEasyLake Harriet in Minneapolis offers a 2.8-mile easy biking trail, popular fishing spots, two sandy beaches for swimming, and watercraft rentals. This urban lake provides peaceful nature views and family-friendly outdoor recreation within the city.
★ 5.8⌖ 14.69 milesEasyRichfield Lake in Richfield, MN offers flat, easy walking and running paths with wildlife viewing opportunities. Ideal for family outings and casual birdwatching, this small urban lake is accessible by car and best visited in spring or fall for active wildlife and pleasant weather.
Discover the top adventure activities and curated experiences in Maplewood, Minnesota, verified by our editors to help you make the most of your trip.
Book unforgettable outdoor adventures, guided tours, and gear rentals with verified Local Experts in Maplewood, Minnesota.
⌖ 4.0 miA focused guide to Haunted Roundhouse at the Jackson Street Round House, describing the site’s eerie atmosphere and practical details for planning a visit.
⌖ 4.0 miA full-day, family-focused visit to Minnesota Transportation Museum’s Jackson Street Roundhouse featuring restored cars, operating turntable demonstrations, and a hands-on Caboose Birdhouse event.
⌖ 4.0 miA one-day, family-focused event of train rides, hands-on crafts, a scavenger hunt and sweet treats—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan your visit.
⌖ 4.1 miA calm, wildlife-rich paddle around White Bear Lake in a comfortable double kayak—this guide explains what to expect and how the craft is equipped for a relaxed outing.
⌖ 4.7 miA two-hour, National Park Service–led paddle on Pickerel Lake that teaches basic strokes and on-water skills while you watch floodplain forest and wildlife.
⌖ 4.7 miA National Park Service–led, hands-on outdoor education program at Hidden Falls Regional Park that teaches orienteering, shelter- and fire-building while connecting students to the cultural history of the Mississippi River.
⌖ 4.7 miA structured, curriculum-driven riverboat field trip that brings Grades 3–5 students aboard a modern riverboat to study the Mississippi River’s birds, geology, ecosystem and stewardship practices.
⌖ 4.9 miA 1.5‑hour, adults‑only Sunday morning pontoon outing on White Bear Lake featuring Tally’s Bloody Marys, mimosas and tapas while skimming scenic shores and historic homes.
⌖ 4.9 miSelf-guided rentals of a traditional 12' canoe on White Bear Lake—human-powered, equipped with two adult life vests and two paddles, available for 1–8 hour rentals.
⌖ 4.9 miA roomy 22' pontoon from Tally’s Dockside for up to 10 people, available by the hour or for evening rentals that can include a fireworks celebration—this guide lays out the practical facts for planning your outing.
⌖ 4.9 miRent a stable, beginner-to-intermediate surf-style stand-up paddleboard—equipped with an adult life vest and paddle—for 1–8 hour sessions from Tally’s Dockside on White Bear Lake.
⌖ 4.9 miA hands-on guide to renting Tally’s Dockside 16' deluxe aluminum fishing boat—what’s onboard, who can go, and how to make the most of 2–8 hour outings on White Bear Lake.
⌖ 5.3 miA focused, self-paced audio tour that uses a Cathedral iPad and narrated chapters to reveal the architecture, art, and stories behind this Twin Cities landmark.
⌖ 7.0 miA 1.5–2 hour, instructor‑led painting class in Woodbury where an experienced artist supplies step‑by‑step instruction and all materials are provided.
⌖ 7.0 miA 1.5–2 hour, instructor-led painting workshop in Woodbury where an experienced artist provides step-by-step guidance and all supplies so beginners and families can create their own pieces.
Make the most of your visit to Maplewood, Minnesota with these essential planning tips, seasonal events, and protected lands.
Maplewood, Minnesota hosts celebrated events throughout the year showcasing the region's culture, outdoor lifestyle, and community spirit.
Experience the vibrancy and unique outdoor heritage of Maplewood, Minnesota during the iconic Maplewood Community Center Outdoor Activities. Plan accommodations and permits early.
Experience the vibrancy and unique outdoor heritage of Maplewood, Minnesota during the iconic White Bear Lake Paddlefest. Plan accommodations and permits early.
Experience the vibrancy and unique outdoor heritage of Maplewood, Minnesota during the iconic Local Farmers Markets. Plan accommodations and permits early.
Bring bug spray in warmer months due to wetlands and wooded trails.
Park hours vary seasonally; check ahead for winter access to ski trails.
White Bear Lake offers boat rentals for paddling adventures.
Consider public transit from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Maplewood for easy access.
Always check local regulations, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and weather forecasts before setting out on any adventure in Maplewood, Minnesota. Respect nature, wildlife, and fellow adventurers by following Leave No Trace principles.