{"id":10249,"date":"2021-02-03T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=10249"},"modified":"2024-02-08T06:51:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T12:51:00","slug":"things-to-do-at-whitetail-woods-regional-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/things-to-do-at-whitetail-woods-regional-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do at Whitetail Woods Regional Park in MN 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington MN was never on my radar until I started the Regional Parks Scavenger Hunt. What\u2019s shocking is why no one online has been talking about it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

456 Acre Whitetail Woods Regional Park is located in the Empire Township, in the center of Dakota County, about one mile north of the Vermillion River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not normally in my neck of the woods, but worth spending more time there for sure. There were so many things to do at Whitetail Woods Regional Park, I was blown away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to do at Whitetail Woods Regional Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whitetail Woods Regional Parks is a unique park hidden away in the Empire Township in Dakota County. The park is one of the most well-maintained parks in the entire Twin Cities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The park strikes a good balance between natural activities for the entire family, wilderness, and even a little Camping. What blew me away was how many people are enjoying this hidden gem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitetail Woods Regional Park Sledding Hill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sledding is the one activity everyone that has everyone smiling. All you need is an inexpensive sled and some warm clothes. On the southeastern side of the metro, Whitetail Woods park is where everyone is at. That\u2019s because they have a 400 feet long hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sledding hill has snow fencing on either side of the track with a designated walking path back up. Officially speaking the hill needs 2-3 inches of snow to be deemed safe for sledding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That didn\u2019t seem to stop the full parking lot of people ready to play. The hill is open from dusk to 10 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjacent to the sledding area is the Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area and a Fire Pit. It was really easy to find. I got to experience the Whitetail Woods Sledding hill while doing the scavenger hunt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The energy of the hill had me bummed I didn\u2019t have my own sled to give it a try.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related:<\/strong> Reaching Top Speeds at Staring Lake Park Sledding Hill<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sledding<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hiking Trails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The park has 10 miles of summer hiking trails and six miles of Ski Touring Trails. There are an additional 5 miles of winter hiking and snowshoe<\/a> trails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The parks trail maps are available online or on the Avenza App<\/a> for free. The most popular trail is the Empire Lake Loop. It\u2019s a 3.8-mile trail around the lake. The trail is asphalt. There is plenty of dirt trail s that connect to the trail as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever wanted to glamp inside a local park? Whitetail Woods Regional Parks has five camper<\/a> cabins. Each cabin sleeps up to six people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cabins are designed to blend into the landscape but also provide an expansive view of the Vermillion River Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Water activities during the summer, and sand to build. Year-round there are boulders to climb, and sticks to build with. What is most impressive about this play structure is the nets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are nets to climb up into the observation area. A net in the center and below to lounge in. During the Regional Parks Winter Scavenger hunt, they wanted us to lay in the net. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 5 years ago I probably would have jumped at the opportunity. This time, with it being so cold, it was a hard pass. My kids would have loved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Related:<\/strong> Things to do at Gale Woods Farm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fawn<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Net<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Whitetail<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fire Pit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This park has recreational bonfire pits available on a first-come-first-serve basis. The one at Whitetail Woods is located near the top of the sledding hill and Fawn Crossing Nature Paly Area. There are also additional firepits near any of the cabins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much does it cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dakota County Parks<\/a> does not charge for admission. Parking is also free. Other activities, like renting equipment and cross-country ski trail passes cost additional money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would I go back to Whitetail Woods Regional Park?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I loved this park. Not only did the park have great signage, but they have so many activities to enjoy. I want to get my kids back there for the amazing sledding hill this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I\u2019d love to hike the Empire Lake Loop during a different season.  I highlight recommend visiting this park to see it all in person. I\u2019ve never seen anything like it.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Exploring<\/a><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington MN was never on my radar until I started the Regional Parks Scavenger…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10254,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":false,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[564,942,6],"tags":[1060,229,118,293,124,122],"apple_news_notices":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":564,"label":"Minnesota"},{"value":942,"label":"Minnesota State Parks"},{"value":6,"label":"The Metro"}],"post_tag":[{"value":1060,"label":"Farmington"},{"value":229,"label":"Hiking"},{"value":118,"label":"Kids"},{"value":293,"label":"Outdoors"},{"value":124,"label":"Spring"},{"value":122,"label":"Winter"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Overlook.jpg",853,640,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Jenn S","author_link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/author\/admin\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":564,"name":"Minnesota","slug":"minnesota-adventures","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":564,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Discover the beauty of Minnesota with DayTripper! From scenic drives to outdoor adventures, plan your next getaway today. #ExploreMN #DayTripperMN<\/span>","parent":0,"count":527,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":564,"category_count":527,"category_description":"Discover the beauty of Minnesota with DayTripper! From scenic drives to outdoor adventures, plan your next getaway today. #ExploreMN #DayTripperMN<\/span>","cat_name":"Minnesota","category_nicename":"minnesota-adventures","category_parent":0},{"term_id":942,"name":"Minnesota State Parks","slug":"mn-state-park","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":942,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Looking for an adventure? Try camping in Minnesota! Enjoy the great outdoors and all the activities this state has to offer.","parent":0,"count":112,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":942,"category_count":112,"category_description":"Looking for an adventure? Try camping in Minnesota! Enjoy the great outdoors and all the activities this state has to offer.","cat_name":"Minnesota State Parks","category_nicename":"mn-state-park","category_parent":0},{"term_id":6,"name":"The Metro","slug":"the-metro","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Discover the best day trips from the Metro with our DayTripper guide! From scenic hikes to charming towns, plan your next adventure now.<\/span>","parent":564,"count":180,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6,"category_count":180,"category_description":"Discover the best day trips from the Metro with our DayTripper guide! From scenic hikes to charming towns, plan your next adventure now.<\/span>","cat_name":"The Metro","category_nicename":"the-metro","category_parent":564}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":1060,"name":"Farmington","slug":"farmington","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1060,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Looking for a fun day trip? Head to Farmington, MN with DayTripper! From outdoor adventures to family-friendly activities, there's something for everyone.<\/span>","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":229,"name":"Hiking","slug":"hiking","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":229,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Lace up your boots and hit the trails! Our MN hiking guide has everything you need to explore the state's stunning natural landscapes.<\/span>","parent":0,"count":110,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":118,"name":"Kids","slug":"kids","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":118,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Don't let boredom set in this summer! Find exciting and educational activities for kids of all ages in Minnesota with our comprehensive guide.<\/span>","parent":0,"count":143,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":293,"name":"Outdoors","slug":"outdoors","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":293,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Experience the thrill of the great outdoors with DayTripper's outdoor adventures in MN. Book now and discover a new world of adventure!<\/span>","parent":0,"count":219,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":124,"name":"Spring","slug":"spring","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":124,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"