Crow-Hassan Park Reserve
Expansive park reserve with rolling prairies, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

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Best Time
Prairie blooms with color
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve
Best Time
Prairie blooms with color
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Expansive park reserve with rolling prairies, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails for hiking and horseback riding.
"Beautiful rolling prairies and nice trails make this an amazing park reserve."
👟 Supportive Shoes Needed
Trails can be sandy and uneven due to horses. Wear sturdy footwear for comfort and stability.
🦋 Insect Hunt Fun
Join guided insect hunts to discover prairie inhabitants. Registration often required.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Tallgrass Prairie
Throughout the park
Experience the vibrant beauty of blooming wildflowers and listen to the sounds of nature.
Wildlife Viewing
Various habitats
Spot songbirds and other native creatures amidst the prairies and woods.
Horseback Riding Trails
Designated trails
Enjoy scenic rides on trails ideal for horses, with sandy conditions.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Trail Etiquette: Horses & Hikers
Best Footwear for Sandy Trails
Best Times
Insider Tips
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👟 Supportive Shoes Needed
Trails can be sandy and uneven due to horses. Wear sturdy footwear for comfort and stability.
🦋 Insect Hunt Fun
Join guided insect hunts to discover prairie inhabitants. Registration often required.
🐕 Leashed Dogs Welcome
Dogs are allowed but must be on a 6-foot leash. No off-leash areas except a specific dog park.
🌸 Prairie Flower Walks
Learn to identify fall blooms and observe insects with guided walks.
Tips
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👟 Supportive Shoes Needed
Trails can be sandy and uneven due to horses. Wear sturdy footwear for comfort and stability.
🦋 Insect Hunt Fun
Join guided insect hunts to discover prairie inhabitants. Registration often required.
🐕 Leashed Dogs Welcome
Dogs are allowed but must be on a 6-foot leash. No off-leash areas except a specific dog park.
🌸 Prairie Flower Walks
Learn to identify fall blooms and observe insects with guided walks.
🦅 Bird Watching App
Use apps to identify birds and enhance your birdwatching experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Crow-Hassan Park Reserve for its beautiful rolling prairies, scenic trails, and abundant wildlife, making it a great spot for hiking and horseback riding. Some note that the sandy, horse-influenced trails can be uneven and require supportive footwear.
"Nice area with plenty of song birds to listen to as you enjoy the beautiful prairiescape or woods. The only thing it didn't like was almost all of the hiking trails are also horse trails making them uneven, rutted, and covered with road apples."
TJ Lewis
"Nice walking trails and views lots of hiking! Some of the trails are very Sandy almost like beach sand. Good workout. Over all the trails are clean and easy to navigate around. Some great views of the river to."
Shane Rooney
"This is an absolutely beautiful park that we take our horses to frequently! There are horse and human trails (no bikes) and there's an off-leash dog park (not fenced in), too. In the summer, the bugs are manageable here versus other parks - perhaps because it's very sandy. It's especially beautiful in the fall!"
Lindsey Hiner
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve is located in Rogers/Saint Michael, about an hour's drive northwest of Minneapolis. Take I-94 W and exit onto local roads leading to the park.
Public transportation options are limited for reaching Crow-Hassan Park Reserve. Driving is the most convenient way to access the park.
The park has multiple entrances. The east entrance is often noted for specific events like insect hunts.
Yes, ample parking is available at various trailheads and access points throughout the park.
Yes, Crow-Hassan Park Reserve offers winter activities, though trail conditions may vary. Check Three Rivers Park District for updates.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve is generally free to enter, but some special programs or events may have associated fees.
The park is typically open from sunrise to sunset. Specific facility hours may vary.
Yes, for specific events like insect hunts or guided prairie walks, advance registration is often required, sometimes 24 hours ahead.
The park is open to the public, but specific areas like the off-leash dog park have their own guidelines.
Yes, the park is well-equipped for horseback riding with designated trails.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The park offers a variety of unpaved trails, including hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and some sandy paths. Some trails can be over 10 miles long.
Due to the sandy and uneven nature of some trails, they may not be ideal for strollers or wheelchairs.
You can expect to see various songbirds, insects, and potentially other native wildlife in the prairies and wooded areas.
Yes, there is an off-leash dog park, though it is not fenced in. Dogs must be on a leash elsewhere in the park.
Popular activities include hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, and participating in nature programs like insect hunts and prairie walks.
📸 📸 Photography
The tallgrass prairies with their blooming wildflowers in spring and fall offer stunning photographic opportunities. The rolling hills and diverse plant life are also picturesque.
Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography, creating beautiful golden hour shots of the prairie landscape.
Yes, the park is home to various birds and insects, making it a great location for wildlife photography. Bring a telephoto lens for better shots.
While not explicitly photography events, guided nature walks and insect hunts can provide unique subjects and opportunities for close-up shots.
A versatile camera with a good zoom lens is recommended for capturing both landscapes and wildlife. Macro lenses are great for insects.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Participating in nature programs like insect hunts or guided flower walks can be particularly engaging for children, turning a simple outing into an educational expedition. Remember to bring plenty of water and snacks, and ensure everyone wears comfortable, supportive shoes. The park's open spaces are perfect for a family picnic after a day of exploration.
🐎 Equestrians
Experienced riders will appreciate the scenic routes, while beginners can enjoy a pleasant ride through the natural landscapes. Ensure your horse is comfortable with varied terrain and other trail users. Always follow park guidelines for equestrian use.
🐶 Dog Owners
The off-leash area is not fenced, so ensure your dog has reliable recall if you plan to use it. The sandy trails can be a fun experience for dogs, but be mindful of the terrain and potential horse traffic.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Tallgrass Prairies
During the spring and summer, the prairies burst with color from blooming flowers like wild lupine, asters, and goldenrod. These blooms not only create a visually stunning spectacle but also serve as crucial food sources for pollinators. The park actively works on restoring these prairies, making it a living laboratory for ecological conservation.
For an enhanced experience, consider joining guided walks or nature programs offered by the Three Rivers Park District. These programs often focus on identifying native plants, understanding their historical uses, and observing the intricate relationships between flora and fauna.
Navigating Trails: Horses, Hikers, and Dogs
Horseback riders will find the sandy conditions ideal, as they tend to be less muddy than other soil types. However, this also means that hikers should be prepared for potential rutting and the presence of horse droppings. The park emphasizes a respectful coexistence between all users, encouraging awareness and yielding to one another.
For dog owners, the park allows dogs but requires them to be on a 6-foot leash at all times, except in the designated off-leash dog park, which is not fenced. This ensures the safety of both pets and wildlife, and maintains a pleasant experience for all visitors.
Wildlife and Nature Programs
The park frequently hosts educational programs focused on its natural environment. These include insect hunts, where participants can learn about and observe the park's invertebrate populations, and guided walks to identify native prairie flowers and their ecological significance.
These programs are often geared towards all ages and provide a deeper understanding of the park's ecosystems. It's advisable to check the Three Rivers Park District website for schedules and registration details, as some events require advance booking.
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