Find a spot to cool off from sizzling summer temperatures at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
The Lake Elmo Park Reserve is part of the Washington County Park System. This Park Reserve offers gently rolling hills with a variety of landscape types, including forest and prairie.
It’s also filled with wildlife. Watch for pheasants, weasels, red fox, woodpeckers, cardinals, cottontail rabbits, squirrels and white-tailed deer.
Included within the 2,165 acres (3 ½ square miles) is a fishing pier, several play areas, campground, and the Lake Elmo Swim Pond. The Lake Elmo Swim Pond features a man-made two-acre swimming pond that is chlorinated and filtered.
The Lake Elmo Park Reserve Swim Pond is now open daily for the season through Labor Day. While the Lake Elmo Swim Pond hours are 9 am – 8 pm, lifeguards are staffed between the hours of 12 pm – 8 pm.
How to Save Money on Your Washington County Permit Fee:
Washington County Parks charge an entrance fee. Choose between a daily park permit for $7 or an annual permit for $30. Maybe you need to purchase an additional permit for a second household vehicle. If so, that will cost $20.
Are you looking to save on the cost of the vehicle permit? Save money on your daily vehicle permit by visiting on the first non-holiday Tuesday of the month.
In addition, Washington County will issue a free annual or daily vehicle permit to veterans with a service-connected disability, the spouse of a currently deployed military personnel, the surviving spouse of a military personnel who is receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or military personnel on leave or having left active duty within the past 90 days.
Not only can you swim in the water at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, but you can dig in the sand and climb through the playground equipment!
There are several play areas located throughout the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The largest “destination” play area is actually four separate play areas installed in one general location. There are slides, swings, tunnels, and more. Each of the two reservation picnic areas also has a play area. The campground has a play area too!
Get outside and explore the Lake Elmo Park Reserve!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Kristi is married with twin daughters. She grew up on a small dairy farm, but now lives in the south metro area. She enjoys finding free or thrifty things to do whether they are outings close to home or last minute adventures to far-away places.
Kristi can also be found enjoying estate sales, attempting to garden, volunteering in the wetlands or a favorite thrift store, or maybe just enjoying a good play in one of the many theatre venues in the area.
Leave a Reply