Carver County Minnewashta Park

I love this park! The first visit we had was to shoot photos showing the beauty of Minnesota and to potentially include in a calendar. As we walked the trails with our dogs - on leash - I had some reminiscing about riding my horse on the other side of the lake and sailing with my father. Wonderful memories. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park is a 340 acre park on the shores of Lake Minnewashta. Facilities include a swimming beach, bathhouse, off-leash dog area, reservable picnic shelters, sand volleyball courts, creative playground (which looked like a regular playground), paved boat access, paved bike trails, turf trails for walking and skiing, ski/snowshoe rental, and vending machines. If your dogs are good at dog parks, this is one to visit! The Off Leash Dog Area is fenced-in off-leash dog area at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. This 18-acre site has a separate area for small dogs and approximately one mile of trails. To get in to the off-leash dog area you'll need either a $6 daily or $28 annual vehicle permit. Both are able to be purchased through the honor box at the park entrance by the gate house. Definitely worth visiting!

***This is a review about their off-leash dog park.***Even though I've only visited a few dog parks, Minnewashta's must rank amongst the top! Essentially, Carver County dedicated a small forest to everyone's favorite four-legged friend, where plenty of tall trees, fresh water streams, gigantic leaf piles, paw and foot friendly trails, sizable grassy green spaces, and speedy squirrels for them to chase exist. In other words, dog heaven resides in Chanhassen. Also, don't worry about your pup running away, because there's a huge fence that wraps around the entire park. Aside from the park itself, prior to entering, there's a little area with a water fountain and hose. Visitors can use the hose down your pup, before loading him or her into the car. For $24, you can purchase the annual pass. Otherwise, like me, you'll have to pay $5 per visit. From what I heard from another dog owner, though, no one mans the tollbooth after September, so the park relies on the honor system for payment. Once you arrive, drive slightly past the tollbooth, and open up a metal lid that holds paper envelopes. Put your $5 in and write your name on it.It's a bit of a cumbersome process to enter, but seeing the biggest smile on my dog's face was well worth it.

Really nice off leash dog park with wooded trails. Icy in winter--wear traction devices. Ponds are muddy in the other seasons--bring a towel for your dog. Porta-potty in the parking lot. Entrance fee was eliminated December 1, 2019.

Lake Minnewashta Regional Park has the most scenic dog park in the Twin Cities! I've been taking my energetic dog there for years and it's just great. Probably a mile and a half of walking trails and several areas where the dogs can congregate and play together. They also have a separate area for 'littles'. Other than the dog park, the park boasts two public boat launches, miles of walking/biking trails, a swimming beach, and lots of room and facilities for picnics and group get-togethers. It's just a great park.

Carver County Park is on my favorite Minnesota lake--Lake Minnewashta. Great for all seasons and for the whole family