Dogsledding and Skijoring and More - Apple Valley, Minnesota

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Dogsledding and Skijoring and More - Apple Valley, Minnesota

Enter the world of the parks in Apple Valley and you will have the opportunity to try your hand a Dogsledding and Skijoring as well as an array of other activities for both the summertime and wintertime.

Dogsledding and skijoring (a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs) or a motor vehicle) are both becoming a growing sport that not only involves you and the elements but your canine pets.

Dakota County (Apple Valley area) offers over two miles of snow-packed dogsledding and skijoring trails at Lake Byllesby Regional Park.  Try it, you’ll love it.

There are also miles of groomed, dual-tracked, cross-country ski and packed ski skating trails in the parks.  You can either bring your own equipment or rent 
it at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center in Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Is fishing a passion for you?  If so, your can do both summer and ice fishing in select lakes in Dakota County parks.  Try your hand at catching everything from Sunfish to Northern Pike.  You can use rods and tackle for free at Lebanon Hills Regional Park through the Fishing in the Neighborhood Program.

Summer fishing locations

Lake Byllesby Regional Park
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Holland Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, McDonough Lake
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
Thompson County Park
Winter ice fishing locations

Lake Byllesby Regional Park
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Holland Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Schulze Lake Trailhead

Take a hike in the parks.  There are over 50 miles of summer and winter hiking trails through the park system.
 
Summer Hiking Trails
 
Big Rivers Regional Trail, Trailhead
Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Jensen Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Mountain Bike Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Schulze Lake Trailhead
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Trailhead 
Spring Lake Park Reserve, Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead 
Thompson County Park, Trailhead 
UMORE Park
 
Winter Hiking Trails - Winter Trail Conditions

Big Rivers Regional Trail, Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Jensen Lake Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Ski Skate Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Schulze Lake Trailhead
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Trailhead 
Spring Lake Park Reserve, Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead 
Thompson County Park, Trailhead 
UMORE Park

If you enjoy riding horse then bring yours to ride on one of the over 10 miles of beautiful, wooded trails on the over 2,000 acres of parkland in Lebanon 
Hills Regional Park.  You do need a pass to use the Horse Trailhead.

Now head for Big Rivers Regional Trail and enjoy your Inline skating hours.  The paved trails will give you a wonderful place to enjoy the activity.

If you are into the "newest" type of sledding then you will want to try the kicksled (or spark).  This is a small sled consisting of a chair mounted on a pair of flexible metal runners which extend backward to about twice the chair’s length. There is a handlebar attached to the top of the chair back.  This is something that you can do with friends or by yourself.  A kicksled can only be used on hard, slippery surfaces like ice or hard packed snow.  The kicksled is common in Norway, Sweden and Finland, especially where roads are not sanded or salted.  Think of it as the winter bicycle.

Kicksleds are available for rent at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.

These are just a few of the activities you can enjoy while visiting the Apple Valley area.  For more information on what the parks have to offer and which park has what call:

Parks: 953-891-7000