 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 recreation 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.
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.
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 location at
C.
P.
Adams
Park
one half mile east of Highway 61 on State Highway 291. (
1301 18th St. E.
) The course is open during all day light 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.
The scenic 18 hole disc golf course is location at
C.
P.
Adams
Park
one half mile east of Highway 61 on State Highway 291. (
1301 18th St. E.
) The course is open during all day light 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.
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 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.
.
- CANNON
VA
 LLEY 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
- CARPENTER 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, it is the Release
Site for the University of Minnesota's Raptor Rehabilitation Program.
For more information on Carpenter Nature Center 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 on
Thursday - Sunday's and most holidays from 10 - 5 with tours
starting at 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30 and 4. Group tours
available year round with reservations, call (651) 437-7055. For more information
visit www.dakotahistory.org. |
-
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.
.
- TREASURE
ISLAND RESORT & CASINO - 800.222.7077
5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN 55089
- Treasure
Resort & Casino is the only casino in southern Minnesota
and the only facility of its kind located on the banks of
the Mississippi River. Treasure Island offers guest
gaming, accommodations, food service and nationally known
entertainment. Treasure Island features over 2,500
slots, 44 table games and a 550 seat high stakes bingo hall
all in a Caribbean themed casino. Casino guests can
relax in Treasure Island's luxurious 250 room hotel.
Additional guests amenities include a 137 slip marina,
95-site RV park and a 120 passenger cruise yacht.
Treasure Island is owned and operated by the Prairie Island
Indian Community. Visit www.treasureislandcasino.com
for more information.
.
- TWO AREA
SWIMMING BEACHES
Point Douglas Beach and a hike-in beach at Afton State Park.
.
-
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, teeter-totter 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
.
- 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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