Pine Point Regional Park

Eeeh.... Overhyped. I come here while biking gateway all the time and it's mostly just horse trails.

I love this park! It's not crowded and there's several trails for hiking, hard too biking and horse back riding! There's a lake too! It costs $7.00 unless you have a Washington County Park pass. It's quiet and well maintained. There are port a potty's at the parking lot and a couple picnic tables.

Located at the end of the Gateway Trail, this is a great place to either start (you must pay to park your vehicle here)or have a rest stop. It's a wonderful place to sit and watch the horses-this is a parking lot large enough to hold the trailers. The trails are for hiking, biking, xc skiing, bird watching and horseback riding. There is a bicycle repair station near the restroom building (and the water too), if you need a quick fix or tire air.

This park is part of the Washington Country regional park system and is located outside Stillwater (not far from Big Carnelian and Square lakes). The park is fairly small and only about 5 miles of trails open to hiking, biking, cross country skiiing and horseback riding. This park serves as a major trailhead to the Minnesota Gateway biking trail. There is a restroom and parking facility there. You need a parking pass which is $7 for a day pass or $30 for an annual pass which covers all the washington county parks. This is a nice little park to hike and explore if you aren't looking to make a day of it. Most of the park is heavily wooded and the trails are wide mowed down turf. A friend of mine told me that this once was the location of a poor farm many many years ago. People were sent there to work and farm and when they passed would be buried right there on the premises. It's kind of a sad thought but it is a lovely place to visit. There is a beautiful structure at the center that is used for events such as weddings that can be rented. This is a nice little stop-off if you are headed up old 95 to check out the other parks along the river. If you are looking to stop off for a swim, you definitely need to head over to Square Lake Park which is a short drive from there.

During our staycation, we took a stroll in the Pine Point Park which is behind the Outing Lodge. We got a little lost but found our way back using the Gateway bike trail. The maps are somewhat helpful so be sure to pack in some bug spray if it takes you longer. The trails are maintained but still kinda of buggy. We got a little late back but that was okay since we weren't on any schedule. It seemed like many trails criss-cross each other so you won't be lost for long.

Great cross country ski trails: I think it's at its best in the winter. Summer activities are too wooded and filled with mosquitoes.