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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Please Note: During
Bridge Constuction, Hub's Landing & Marina and King's
Cove Marina will both have continued access to their
properties.
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.
Fishing boats, pontoons and runabout rentals are
available at Great River Boat Rental, 651.438.9999.
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
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 18th 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. To download a map of
the course,
click here.
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 651.258.4567
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. To download a map of the trail or take a tour
click
here.
.
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 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.
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 BrunswickTM
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.
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
click here for additional details.
TWO AREA SWIMMING
BEACHES
Point
Douglas Beach and a hike-in beach at Afton State
Park
SNOWMOBILING ON CLUB SUPPORTED TRAILS
For a map on
trails in the Hastings area, please visit
www.hastingssnomos.org/Trails.htm