Washington County Parks Quarterly Update

Photo of three people canoeing on a lake with the sunset in the background.

Summer is in full gear in Washington County Parks! Come enjoy a hike outdoors, swimming, fishing, camping, and more. Join us in one of our upcoming programs including: the Community Ice Cream Social, Yoga in the Park, Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga, and Forest Bathing. Washington County Parks will also welcome back the annual Bluegrass Festival on September 7 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Group of people gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of a brick building, with several individuals holding a large red ribbon.

Washington County Historic Courthouse Grand Re-Opening

Thank you to all who came out to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Washington County Historic Courthouse on June 8! After undergoing an exterior restoration project to restore and preserve this historic building, we celebrated the completed improvements with a ribbon cutting and rededication of the Soldiers & Sailors Civil War Monument with a statue unveiling.

The Washington County Historic Courthouse offers guided public tours, self-guided tours, and a variety of themed tours throughout the year. Learn more details about the history of the St. Croix Valley, hear tales of the people who lived and worked at the courthouse, tour areas not typically open to the public, or enjoy a walking tour of the neighborhood. More information is available on our website.

Learn to Bike Classes a Success

This summer, Parks partnered with the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) to offer Learn to Bike classes for adults at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Each class included three hands-on sessions with instructors learning the basics of balancing, pedaling, and road safety. With grant funding from the Metropolitan Council, this program was completely free, and each participant received their own equipment to continue their biking journey after the class.

Last week, the Learn to Bike June course concluded with 15 participants receiving new bikes, locks, helmets, and lights. Each participant came with a different story—some had never owned a bike before, some were easing back into biking after many years, and some were overcoming fears associated with past riding experiences. With friendly instruction from BikeMN, all attendees made significant progress in their learning journey and gained the confidence to ride their new bike on their own! This program not only introduced many attendees to the park for the first time, but it also fostered a welcoming space for participants to try something new, be vulnerable, and build community.

This highly sought-after class will be offered again in July, and we can’t wait! The July sessions are currently full, but a waitlist is available on our website.

Group of people on bikes surrounding an instructor giving directions.

A view of a sandy beach leading into a river, with a person swimming and floating buoys marking the swimming area. Lush green trees line the opposite bank under a clear blue sky

Beaches Closed

Point Douglas Beach and St. Croix Bluffs swim beach are both currently closed. They will reopen when flooding levels drop and it is safe to swim.

Campground Recycling

Whether you’re planning an event at a picnic shelter, spending a weekend at the campground, or taking your family to the beach for the day, it is important to “leave no trace” during your visit to the park. Plan ahead by bringing a trash bag to collect waste and paper bags to collect recycling during your visit. Before you leave, place all items in the marked bin or dumpster.

Learn more by visiting our website.

Photo of a Parks Vehicle Permit with a red border and a loon in the water with a fish in it's mouth.

Parks Vehicle Permit Photo Contest

The 2025 Parks Vehicle Permit will feature all Washington County Parks and is now open! Venture out to any of our parks and start snapping some pictures. More information on the photo contest is available on our website.

Free Entry Days in the Parks

On the first Tuesday (non-holiday) of every month, visit any Washington County Park for FREE. No vehicle permit required. Below are upcoming free entry days in our parks.

July 2
August 6
September 3

Promotional banner for the 22nd Annual Washington County Bluegrass Festival. Features an illustration of a turtle playing a banjo in front of a green background. Text on the banner reads: "Washington County Bluegrass Festival, Save the Date, Saturday September 7, 2-6 P.M. at Lake Elmo Park Reserve." The background is olive green with additional yellow and orange elements.

For more information or to view the full calendar of Parks events, please visit our website.

July 2 - Free Park Entry Day

Visit any Washington County Park for FREE, no vehicle permit required.

July 2 - Sunset SUP

Square Lake Park, 7 - 8:15 p.m., $50 per person, registration required. Reoccurring program, please see our website for the full season schedule.

July 4 - Yoga in the Park

Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 6 - 7 p.m., $10 per person, registration required. Reoccurring program, please see our website for the full season schedule.

July 12 - Learn to Paddle

Square Lake Park, 6 - 8 p.m., registration required.

July 13 - Bird Hike

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Nordic Center, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

July 13 - SUP Yoga

Square Lake Park, 9 - 10:15 a.m., $50 per person, registration required. Reoccurring program, please see our website for the full season schedule.

July 13 - Campfire Program: Raptors presented by The Remarkable Reptiles

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

July 13 - Campfire Program: Animals Nobody Loves by Wildlife Science Center

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

July 14 - Forest Bathing

Pine Point Regional Park, 9 - 11 a.m., $45 per person, registration required.

July 16 - Learn to Paddle

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, 1 - 3 p.m. or 4 - 6 p.m., registration required.

July 16 - Shakespeare on Tour

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - North Pavilion, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

July 18 - Community Ice Cream Social

Washington County Historic Courthouse, 5 - 8 p.m.

July 20 - Campfire Program: Nature Hide-and-Seek presented by Dodge Nature Center

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

July 20 - Campfire Program: Animals of the St. Croix presented by Carpenter Nature Center

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

July 20 - Full Moon SUP

Square Lake Park, 8:45- 10:30 p.m., $75 per person, registration required.

July 26 - Learn to Paddle

Square Lake Park, 3 - 5 p.m. or 6 - 8 p.m., registration required.

July 27 - Learn to Paddle

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, 1 - 3 p.m., registration required.

August 2 - Learn to Paddle

Square Lake Park, 3 - 5 p.m. or 6 - 8 p.m., registration required.

August 3 - Campfire Program - Animalympics presented by Dodge Nature Center

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

August 6 - Free Park Entry Day

Visit any Washington County Park for FREE, no vehicle permit required.

August 10 - Bird Hike

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Hilltop Pavilion , 9 - 10:30 a.m.

August 10 - Campfire Program - Reptiles and Amphibians presented by Carpenter Nature Center

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

August 20 - Full Moon SUP

Square Lake Park, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m., $75 per person, registration required.

August 24 - Campfire Program - Remarkable Reptiles presented by Remarkable Reptiles

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

August 24 - Campfire Program - Reptiles and Amphibians presented by Carpenter Nature Center

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

August 30 - StarWatch

Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m., $5 per person, registration required

September 3 - Free Park Entry Day

Visit any Washington County Park for FREE, no vehicle permit required.

September 7 - Bugs! presented by Bruce the Bug Guy

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Outdoor Amphitheater, 7 - 8 p.m.

September 7 - Bluegrass Festival

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - South Pavilion, 2 - 6 p.m.

September 14 - Bird Hike

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park - Trailhead Kiosk , 9 - 10:30 a.m.

September 14 - Forest Bathing

Pine Point Regional Park, 9 - 11 a.m., $45 per person, registration required.

Photo of yellow flowers with a bee buzzing above them.

To sign up for a volunteer opportunity or to learn more, please fill out a volunteer interest form.

Continuous – Photography Volunteer

We love seeing your photos of our parks. Help us expand our collection of images to be used on social media and other promo materials and get volunteer hours for going out and taking pictures.

Silhouette of two individuals, one adult and one child, holding fishing rods against a vivid sunset sky with hues of orange and blue. The background shows a clear, tree-lined horizon.

Your time, talents, and generosity can help greatly maintain the natural areas, improve trails and amenities, provide valuable education to youth, and so much more! To sign up for a volunteer opportunity or to learn more, please fill out a volunteer interest form.

Donations can now be made online or by submitting a tax-deductible donation form.