Hike Oxbow and Heron Trail Loop at Elm Creek Park Reserve

Rating	★★★☆☆(3/5)
Overall Difficulty	Easy
Navigation Difficulty	Easy
Distance	1.1 miles roundtrip
Time	30 minutes
Terrain	Mostly flat
Best Seasons	All
Family Friendly	Yes
Dog Friendly	No
Accessible	No

Highlights

Very easy hike by the Eastman Nature Center
Meandering creek with mossy logs

Hike Summary

As the largest park in the Three Rivers Park District system, Elm Creek Park Reserve has so many trails that you can keep returning without doing the same trail twice. This is the second time I've visited this park, and there is still so much more to explore! The trails near the Eastman Nature Center are the best family friendly trails in the park with several short, connected loops.

Dogs are not permitted on the trails near the Eastman Nature Center; head to the eastern half of the park for dog friendly hikes and a giant off-leash dog area -- try the Goose Lake to Dog Park Loop. As mentioned before, all of the hikes near the nature center are good for families. These trails are open to hiking all year, even in winter. I visited on a cloudy, misty Saturday and was mostly alone on the trail, but expect to see many people on a warm summer day or a sunny weekend.

From the parking lot, walk past the right side of the nature center and look for signs pointing to the Heron and Oxbow Trails. When the trail splits ahead, stay right to take the Oxbow Trail. The extra distance required for the Oxbow Trail is definitely worth it because you are rewarded with a gently meandering creek covered in mossy logs, like shown in the picture at the top of the page. The entire trail is forested, and looks like the picture below -- this would be a nice shady hike for a hot day. Eventually the trail meets up with the Heron Trail, and you will follow this trail back to the nature center.

The trail cutting through the barren winter forest
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At the end of the hike, there's a short trail to the lake pictured below that starts on the opposite end of the parking lot from the nature center. This trail is especially cool because you walk across the lake on a floating boardwalk, giving you great views and opportunities to watch the ducks. All in all, this is a great place to spend an afternoon and enjoy being outside. Let me know what you think in the comments section below and be sure to use #nocoastbestcoast on Twitter and Instagram!

The view of the lake from the boardwalk
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Directions

Only a half hour drive from many areas in the Twin Cities metro. Take Interstate 94 north to Minnesota Highway 252 North, then go west on Minnesota Highway 610. Take the exit for County Road 81, merge onto the road, and then continue straight until the stoplight at Fernbrook Lane. Turn right, then turn right again on Elm Creek Road. Look for the sign indicating the Eastman Nature Center and turn right on the road to the parking area.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Parking is free at all Three Rivers Park District parks and trails. The Eastman Nature Center has exhibits about the wildlife in the park; even the men's bathroom featured a display with different animal droppings -- pictured below!