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RECREATION

Hastings lies at the junction of the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Vermillion rivers, which serve as a stunning backdrop for hiking, biking, picnicking or boating.  Hastings also boasts beautiful public parks, several golf courses and a host of other recreational possibilities.

PARKS

Spring Lake Park just northwest of the city features hiking and cross-country ski trails and the spectacular Schaar's Bluff Picnic Area.  More riverside hiking trails area available at nearby Afton State Park, along with challenging mountain bike trails and backpack camping overlooking the St. Croix River.

Beautiful, spring-fed Lake Rebecca offers picnicking and fishing just a short distance from the Mississippi, a great stopover on your way down the Great River Road.  And to the east, the St. Croix River widens before it joins the 
Mississippi, making our Point Douglas Beach the perfect spot for water fun.

• AFTON STATE PARK - 651.436.5391
  Northeast of Hastings on the bluffs of the St. Croix River, the park offers hiking, mountain bike and cross-country ski trails, picnic grounds, hike-in campsites and a secluded swimming beach accessible by trail only. Visit www.dnr.state.mn.us for more information.
• SPRING LAKE PARK RESERVE - 952.891.7000
  A Dakota County Park with hiking and cross-country ski trails, archery trail, picnic grounds and model airplane flying field.  Schaar's Bluff Picnic Area offers  a stunning view of the Mississippi.
• VERMILLION FALLS
  Located just off of Highway 61 on 21st Street East, the park is a treasure for picnics, exploring, and, of course, viewing the spectacular Vermillion Falls and limestone ravine.  Picnic shelter, grills, hiking and bike trails.

BOATING THE WATERS

Boating opportunities on the Mississippi and St, Croix Rivers abound, offering public dockage for visiting boaters.  A free public boat launch is available at Jaycee Park on Spring Street nearby Lock & Dam #2.

• 651.480.6175.............Public Boat Launch www.ci.hastings.mn.us
• 651.437.6186.............Kings Cove Marina (www.kingscove.com)
• 651.755.6540............Hub's Landing & Marina (www.hubslanding.com)
• 800.222.7077............Treasure Island Resort & Casino (www.treasureislandcasino.com)
• 651.437.9621.............Hastings Marina

Fishing, canoeing and electric-powered boating is allowed on lovely Lake Rebecca; in fact many canoeists use it as a portage around Lock and Dam #2.

Canoeing & tubing are also available on the Cannon River, near the neighboring village of Welch, Minnesota.

CRUISES

A perfect way to spend a relaxing day or evening is aboard a boat cruising the St. Croix or Mississippi Rivers.  For more information on a delightful lunch, cocktail, dinner or sightseeing cruise, contact one of the following businesses.

• 651.436.8883.............Afton House Inn & Cruise Lines (www.aftonhouseinn.com)
• 800.222.7077.............Treasure Island Resort & Casino (www.treasureislandcasino.com)

GOLFING

Area golf courses offer a place to perfect your swing, each with its own unique features. 
(The following courses are in Hastings unless otherwise indicated)

DISC GOLF COURSE   Disc Golf Map.pdf
The scenic 18 hole disc golf course is located at C. P. Adams Park one half mile east of Highway 61 on State Highway 291. ( 1301 18^th St. E. ) The course is open during all daylight hours and is free for the public to use. Maintained by the Hastings Parks & Recreation Department it is complete with dual tees, chain basket goals and tee markers. Information can be obtained by calling 651-480-6175.

SKIING

Hastings is fortunate to be the midpoint between two downhill ski areas.  Afton Alps Ski & Golf, is nestled in the rolling hills of the scenic St. Croix River Valley to the north.  For information call 651.436.5245 or visit www.aftonalps.com. Welch Village Ski Area, a sister resort to Vail, Colorado, is to the south. For further information on Welch Village call 651.222.7079 or visit www.welchvillage.com. 

OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• ALEXIS BAILLY VINEYARD - 651.437.1413
  18200 Kirby Avenue, Hastings
  
  Founded in 1973, Alexis Bailly Vineyard was the first to make wine with 100% Minnesota grown grapes.   Come see where the Bailly's have buried their vines to help them survive Minnesota's frigid winter.  Open weekends June through mid-November for wine tasting. Visit www.abvwines.com for more information.
  
  
• HASTINGS TRAIL SYSTEM
  
  The City of Hastings has a 15 mile bituminous trail system that loops the City.   Parking access for the trail is located at Jaycee Park, Levee Park and Vermillion Falls Park.  The scenic bike trail allows impressive views of the Vermillion River, Lake Isabel, 
  Lake Rebecca and the Mississippi River.  Visit www.ci.hastings.mn.us/ParksandRecreation/PKTrailMap.htm  
  to download a map of the trail or take a tour.
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• CANNON VALLEY TRAIL
  
  
• 20-mile hiking, biking and cross-country ski trail near the Cannon River.  Wheel passes available at stations along the trail. For more information visit www.cannonvalleytrail.com
  
  
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• CARPENTER ST. CROIX NATURE CENTER - 651.437.4359
  12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings
  Once an estate and apple orchard, the Nature Center now offers daily access to over 15 miles of self guided trails overlooking the scenic St. Croix River.  A natural habitat for great blue herons and bald eagles.  For more information visit www.carpenternaturecenter.org.

• LEDUC HISTORIC ESTATE - 651.552.7548
  17th & Vermillion Street, Hastings
  
  The house of General William and Mary LeDuc was inspired by Andrew Jackson Downing's famous 1847 architectural plan book Cottage Residences.  The estate is open from May - October and most holidays. For days and times, please call (651) 437-7055.  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org. |Group tours available year round with reservations. 
  
  

• LOCK & DAM NO. 2 - 651.437.3150
  Lock & Dam Road, Hastings
  Boats coming through the Lock and Dam are raised or lowered twelve feet as more than six million gallons of water pass through tunnels into the gates.  An observation platform is available for visitors to view the great barges passing on their way from St. Paul to St. Louis.  In addition, thousands of pleasure craft, from canoes to cruisers, use this lock and dam each year.
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• TREASURE ISLAND RESORT & CASINO - 800.222.7077
  5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN 55089
  
• Treasure Resort & Casino is the only casino resort in southern Minnesota located on the Mississippi River. Treasure Island offers guests some of the best gaming, accommodations, food service and nationally known entertainment.  Treasure Island's Caribbean themed facility features over 2,500 slots, 42 blackjack tables, eight carnival games, a 10-table poker room, and a 500 seat high stakes bingo hall. Casino guests can relax in Treasure Island's luxurious 480 room hotel and take in a show at the 3,000-seat Island Event and Convention Center.  Additional guest amenities include a 137-slip marina, 95-site RV-park, a 120 passenger yacht and Island Xtreme Bowl, a 24 Brunswick^TM Lane bowling alley, arcade and lounge. Treasure Island is owned and operated by the 
  Prairie Island Indian Community.  Visit www.treasureislandcasino.com for more information.
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• TWO AREA SWIMMING BEACHES
  Point Douglas Beach and a hike-in beach at Afton State Park.
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• HASTINGS FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER
  
• The Aquatic Center provides a wide variety of fun and safe activities for all ages. Certified lifeguards are on duty at all times. Slides, zero depth entry playground, watersprays, fountains, and Lily Pad Crossing. Lap swimming available. For more information call the hotline at (651) 480-2392 or visit www.ci.hastings.mn.us/ParksandRecreation/PKAquaticCenter/PKAQAquaticCenter.htm
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• SNOWMOBILING ON CLUB SUPPORTED TRAILS
  For a map on trails in the Hastings area, please visit www.hastingssnomos.org/Trails.htm

          
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