Top public and private dog hiking trails in Northfield, Minnesota

The "Maplewood Farm" Dog Park (5-acres!)

Welcome to the “Maplewood Farm” Dog Park -- a peaceful 5-acre nature escape in south Maplewood near Battle Creek, just minutes from I-94 and McKnight. Set among rolling hills, mature trees, wooded trails, open field space, and natural wildlife, this spot gives dogs a private place to run, sniff, explore, and decompress away from crowded dog parks. For history buffs, the property also has a barn built in 1896 that, to my knowledge, is the only standing barn in Maplewood still in its original form. The main fenced play area is approx. 60 ft x 100 ft and is great for off-leash play, fetch, tug with the spring pole, and burning off energy. I also recently added a water-play area inside the fenced area with a kiddie pool and sprinklers. You can even rinse or bathe your pup on the grass with the sprayer -- just bring your own shampoo. For a good visit, I recommend spending the first part of your time in the fenced area, then leashing your pup for a slower sniff walk around the rest of the property. From the fenced area, you can follow the small back gate into the wooded trail system, loop toward the campfire area and barn, then continue north through the more mature trees before circling back toward the open field. Signs are posted to help guide you. My favorite spot is the open field, where young aspen trees whisper on windy days and the evening sunset can be beautiful. Best times to visit: Mornings and early evenings are usually best for active dogs, especially during warmer weather. Afternoons can get hot, but the water-play area is available, and the shaded wooded trails are nice for slower sniff walks. Around 8pm, you can often enjoy a quiet sunset with a hammock nearby -- a peaceful way for both dogs and humans to wind down. Some guests also come after sundown for highly reactive dogs who need extra stillness, and LED collars make them fun to watch across the yard. As a dog lover and builder, I’m always improving the space with more enrichment features and amenities. This spot is especially great for dogs who need space and privacy, working breeds with energy to burn, training practice, or owners who simply want a quiet place where their dog can be a dog. Future upgrades include agility-style features, more shade, a comfy campfire area, and possibly a quick-rinse dog bath booth. I usually like to briefly greet new visitors, especially to help orient you to the property on your first visit. That said, I also understand that some dogs need complete space and some guests prefer privacy. If you have a highly reactive dog or would rather have a no-contact visit, please message me at least a day ahead of time and I’ll stay inside. I opened this Sniffspot in May 2026 and welcome feedback as I keep improving the space for dogs and their people. 🐾 🐾 Valeng and friends 🐾 🐾

Thomas's 75 Acre Unfenced Private Dog Park In Farmington

90 minute time slot. We have an open 70 acres surrounding a private pond with a trail thru the fields and woods around nature. The time allotment is 90 minutes only. We ask that our guests park by the barn and go straight to the lake then to the left around the lake. Trails are marked. It is about a 1 mile trail or more. trails are not plowed open in the winter but are perfect for snow shoeing, hiking an fat tire bikes in the snow on the trails or perfect spring to fall on the maintained trails.

Acker's 10 Acre Private Dog Park In Afton

The property sits approximately a quarter mile off the main road, offering exceptional privacy and a peaceful setting across 10 beautiful acres. About 5 acres are wooded, while the remaining 5 acres feature open trails and tall grass areas perfect for exploring and enjoying nature. The entire property is fully fenced with 3-foot fencing, including a gated driveway entrance. Once the gate is closed, the full 10 acres are securely enclosed.

Poppy's Play Prairie: 15 acres of fun!

🌸🌿🌱🌦️ Welcome to Spring at Poppy’s! The prairie and woods are coming alive! But spring also brings unpredictable weather, leading to changing conditions on the trails. Please come prepared for mud and uneven trails. But we can always promise excellent sniffs and adventure for your 4-legged friends no matter what! **Fostering a dog? Message for special discounts** This is our private residence. Our dogs love walking the trails, sprinting through the woods, and diving through the prairie grasses. We love offering other pups the chance to enjoy it too! The trails are mostly wooded, and there is a ravine with a small creek (often dry in the summer). There are areas of trails, woods, prairie, and mowed grass. There is a barbed-wire fence marking the property line around the property, however it is not fully-fenced. Your dog will need to know to stay close enough to you or respond to your calls. *Poop bags provided* 10% of all profit is donated to dog rescue organizations

Airport Dog Park 1

Airport Dog Park 1 is a small dog friendly park located at 2501 W 61st St in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The park features amenities such as tables and trails for both owners and their furry companions to enjoy. Airport Dog Park 1 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing a convenient option for dog owners to visit at any time.

Park hours: Open 24 hours 7 days per Week

Lions Park with Dog Park

Lions Park in New Hope, MN features an unfenced dog park area where small dogs can play and socialize. The park offers amenities such as dog drinking water, a field, and trails for both dogs and their owners to enjoy. Open from 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week, this park provides a spacious and inviting environment for dogs to exercise and have fun.

Park hours: 6 AM–10 PM 7 days per Week

Linda's 5 Acre Fully Fenced Private Dog Park In Mayer

Fully fenced area in Mayer, MN. Used to be horse and goat pasture so has lots of great smells! Woods, trails and open grass areas. Fire pit available for use as well.

Rasmussen Woods

Rasmussen Woods in Mankato, Minnesota is a dog-friendly park located at 555 Stoltzman Rd. The park features a trail for dogs and their owners to enjoy. Rasmussen Woods is open 7 days a week from 6 AM to 10 PM. For more information or to contact the park, visit mankatomn.gov or call 507-387-8600.

Park hours: 6 AM–10 PM 7 days per Week

Benson Park

Benson Park in North Mankato, Minnesota is a dog-friendly park located on an unnamed road. The park offers a trail for dogs and their owners to enjoy. Benson Park is open from 6:30 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week, providing plenty of opportunities for play and exercise for furry friends.

Park hours: 6:30 AM–10 PM 7 days per Week

Red Jacket Trail Park

Red Jacket Trail Park in Mankato, Minnesota offers a scenic location with a river, stream, and trails for dogs to enjoy. The park is open from 8 AM–10 PM 7 days per week and provides amenities such as tables for picnics. For more information, visit blueearthcountymn.gov or call 507-304-4025.

Park hours: 8 AM–10 PM 7 days per Week

10 Beautiful Acres with River 12 minutes from Hudson WI

5/15/26 update: All paths are mowed, field entrance to drive in is now available (unless heavy rain, then their may be orange cones in the drive) In that case PARK only at the barn/field entrance and walk in. Traffic - To the spot the drive has no major road work slowing you down but LEAVING through Hudson can have long back ups. Please check your maps for delays or other routes. ***Also, it is tick season, do check your dog! This is a beautiful piece of land with a (mostly) fenced perimeter and 1/3 acre fully fenced doggy play area. If you drive in by the picnic table you are in the center of 18 acres to play on and will be quite a distance from the road. There are mowed walking paths to the beautiful Kinnickinnic river, far away from other people and animals. You and your dog will both love it here! The river is cold, clean and easy for dogs to hop in and out, also humans but a bit muddy at the easiest entrance. If you want to keep them out of the water there is about 10 acres of open field where you park, separate and above the river so you don't need to have them down by the water at all. (although most dogs gravitate to there!) Good idea to bring towels although some dogs dry off by the time they run back to the car! We love sharing the space, thank you for review pics!

Sarah's Private Dog Park In Afton

10 acres. Horses and sheep to see. Back unfenced pasture and up the hill woods to explore.

Kay's 10 Acre Partially Fenced Private Dog Park In Corcoran

Plan is to open site July 5, 2026. Front area will have a securely fenced 10,000 ft area, as well as adjacent grassy unfenced area. Upon following the driveway to behind the residence, there is another less securely fenced area. This area exits to a pond area and another bigger grassy area. Dependent upon the season and weather, these ponds, small woods, and field area will be available for further exploring. At the point that the path crosses over the creek into the wooded area, a sign posted will request dogs to be leashed beyond that point, both for safety and for the purpose of avoiding intruding upon the neighbor’s property. Various walking paths will be cleared through the small woods, after which walkers may double back and complete their trek in the area around the barn and residence. There will be a small picnic area outside of the front fully fenced private dog park area. These concepts are all still in process, but this is the general idea as of this date. Stay tuned for July opening.