Carver County Parks

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Carver County Parks Welcome to the official Carver County Parks & Recreation page! Welcome to the official Carver County Parks page!

Follow this page for information on opportunities in the Park & Trail areas. We operate three Regional Parks:
Baylor Regional Park
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
Lake Waconia Regional Park

Explore the night sky at Fall Astronomy Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park...
09/10/2026

Explore the night sky at Fall Astronomy Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park.

Hosted by the Minnesota Astronomical Society, the event is open to the public and includes:

• Daytime solar viewing
• Astronomy presentations beginning at 2 p.m.
• A door prize drawing
• Evening telescope viewing, weather permitting
• Presentations from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassadors

The observatory grounds open at 1:30 p.m., close for a break from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and reopen for evening activities.

Want to make a night of it? Primitive tent campsites are still available at the Baylor Regional Park campground.

View the full Fall Astronomy Day schedule and event details: https://www.mnastro.org/event/2026-fall-astronomy-day/

Carver County Parks beaches are now closed for the season, and seasonal beach maintenance has ended.As we head into fall...
09/09/2026

Carver County Parks beaches are now closed for the season, and seasonal beach maintenance has ended.

As we head into fall, several other seasonal park amenities and services will begin wrapping up:

• Oct. 4: Park shelter reservations end for the season.
• Oct. 11: The Baylor Regional Park campground closes for the season.
• Mid-October: Docks and fishing piers will begin to be removed from the parks.

Weekend watercraft and yard game rentals have also ended for the summer.

Carver County Parks remain open for visitors to enjoy trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and other amenities throughout the fall.

Baylor Regional Park will be busier than usual during two upcoming high school cross country meets this fall.Cross count...
09/07/2026

Baylor Regional Park will be busier than usual during two upcoming high school cross country meets this fall.

Cross country meets are scheduled for:
• Tuesday, Sept. 15
• Thursday, Oct. 29

Very heavy traffic, limited parking and congestion are expected during the late afternoon and evening hours. General park visitors may want to visit earlier in the day or choose another date.

Drivers should also use extra caution along Highway 33 near the park entrance due to increased traffic and parking activity. Please slow down, stay alert and watch for vehicles and pedestrians.

Trail update:
09/04/2026

Trail update:

Lake Waconia Regional Park Beach Reopens; Visitors Encouraged to Watch for Blue-Green AlgaeThe photos in this post show ...
09/04/2026

Lake Waconia Regional Park Beach Reopens; Visitors Encouraged to Watch for Blue-Green Algae

The photos in this post show conditions at the Lake Waconia Regional Park beach earlier this week, when suspected blue-green algae was present.

The good news: The beach has reopened for water recreation as visible algae conditions have improved.

However, blue-green algae conditions can change quickly depending on weather, wind and water conditions. If you're visiting over Labor Day weekend, check the water before swimming, wading or launching watercraft.

Know what to look for. Avoid water that:
• Looks like spilled green paint or pea soup
• Is discolored or streaky
• Has small green dots floating in it
• Has floating scum, globs or mats
• Has green scum along the shoreline

When in doubt, stay out.

Carver County Parks maintenance staff will assess beach conditions daily and post closure signs if conditions worsen. Check posted signage and our social media pages or the Carver County website for the latest beach conditions before your visit.

Learn more about blue-green algae and how to stay safe from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/blue-green-algae-and-harmful-algal-blooms

In Case You Missed It: Waconia historian and Chamber founder Paul Melchert recently sat down with the Waconia Area Chamb...
09/03/2026

In Case You Missed It: Waconia historian and Chamber founder Paul Melchert recently sat down with the Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau to talk about the fascinating past of Coney Island of the West.

Summer is winding down, which means several seasonal amenities and services at Carver County Parks will soon wrap up for...
09/03/2026

Summer is winding down, which means several seasonal amenities and services at Carver County Parks will soon wrap up for the year.

Labor Day weekend is the final weekend to enjoy Carver County Parks beaches before they close for the season Sept. 8.

Here are a few other dates to keep in mind:

• Sept. 8: Beaches close for the season.
• Oct. 4: Park shelter reservations end.
• Oct. 11: Baylor Regional Park campground closes.
• Mid-October: Docks and fishing piers are removed from the parks.

Weekend watercraft and yard game rentals have already ended for the summer.

There’s still plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the parks as we transition into fall!

Reserve your free ticket for the final Coney Island pontoon shuttle of the season!Carver County Parks will offer free po...
09/02/2026

Reserve your free ticket for the final Coney Island pontoon shuttle of the season!

Carver County Parks will offer free pontoon rides from Lake Waconia Regional Park to Coney Island on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Due to high demand, free preregistration is available to reserve your spot. Every person riding the pontoon must register and receive a free ticket.

Event details:
• Saturday, Sept. 19
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Departures from Paradise Commons
• Several reservation times available
• Walk-ups welcome, with a waitlist to fill open seats

Once on the island, explore one of Lake Waconia’s most historic destinations and join a guided historical nature hike led by park staff.

Plan to spend at least 45 to 60 minutes on the island. Life jackets are provided and required. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.

Reserve your free ticket today using the Carver County Parks app and selecting “Event Tickets.”

Beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park Temporarily Closed Due to Suspected Blue-Green AlgaeOut of an abundance of caution, ...
09/01/2026

Beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park Temporarily Closed Due to Suspected Blue-Green Algae

Out of an abundance of caution, the beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park is temporarily closed to all water recreation until further notice due to a suspected blue-green algae bloom in Lake Waconia.

The following activities are not permitted at the beach during the closure:

• Swimming
• Wading
• Launching watercraft

Thank you for your patience as we work to help keep visitors safe. We will share updates as more information becomes available.

Learn more about blue-green algae and harmful algal blooms from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/blue-green-algae-and-harmful-algal-blooms?fbclid=IwY2xjawUDwIdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWNJNG1YVkJETW9ZV2JqNWFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEej953RlV00mUW_BN77yXNk5WjJIfPIbBRlm_9JQhaCWh50ohjwRNQvo8ic4k_aem_IzhaJb-IXJs8kk-Kyj1YWw

Bring your best soup or your appetite to the Baylor Soup Showdown on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Baylor Regional Park!Enter as ...
08/30/2026

Bring your best soup or your appetite to the Baylor Soup Showdown on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Baylor Regional Park!

Enter as a Soup Maker for a chance to win The Golden Ladle and receive four free event tickets, or sign up as a Taste Tester to enjoy unlimited soup samples and help choose the winner.

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Outdoor activities
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Soup tasting
• 12:45 p.m.: Awards ceremony
• Archery, geocaching, a rock climbing wall and more
• Children 2 and younger are free
• Day-of tickets: $15

Make a weekend of it. Campsites are still available at Baylor Regional Park.

Register today using the free Carver County Parks app.

Address

11360 Highway 212 W, Suite 2
Cologne, MN
55322

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4pm
Friday 7:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+19524665250

Website

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