Snowshoeing in Minnesota

If you’ve ever looked out at freshly fallen snow and wanted to get out and enjoy that beautiful Minnesota scenery, I’ve got good news for you: Snowshoeing is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly winter activities to try, and you don’t even need to own gear to get started. From state parks and nature centers to city recreation departments, there are dozens of places across Minnesota where you can rent snowshoes at a low cost—or even for free.

This regularly updated guide rounds up where to rent snowshoes in Minnesota, making it simple to explore snowy trails, spot winter wildlife, and get some fresh air without a big upfront investment. We’ve been sharing this list for years and continue to add new locations as rental options grow across the state—so there’s really no excuse not to give snowshoeing a try this winter!

Before we owned our own snowshoes, we rented a set from our city and headed out to Banning State Park for a winter adventure. We had so much fun that snowshoes ended up becoming a family Christmas gift a few years later! One of our daughters even brought hers with her to college in Wisconsin. If you’re on the fence about trying snowshoeing, renting first is a great way to see if it’s right for you.

Whatever your reason to give it a try, check out this list and get outside to enjoy!

If you know of a place we did not mention, please let us know and we will add them to the list.

Where to Rent Snowshoes in Minnesota:

Alexandria Public Schools
$3/day for adults and kids. This was a unique find – the school offers outdoor equipment for rent. Snowshoes and a lot more are available! (Anyone want to rent a bird watching kit, yard games, or a bike?)

Anoka County Parks
$5/2 hours. Rentals are available at Bunker Hills, Coon Rapids Dam, and Wargo Nature Center. **It is recommended that you call prior to arrival to ensure rental equipment is available.

Carver County Parks
$5/2 hours. Available Saturdays and Sundays at Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks. Equipment reservations are not necessary or taken.

Dakota County Parks
$10/hour for adults (18+), $7/hour for children (17 and younger).

Hartley Nature Center (Duluth)
$12/day for non-members, 10% discount for HNC members. Rentals will only happen when there is at least 4 inches of snowpack on the ground.

Hastings Parks & Recreation
FREE when you fill out the rental form and reserve your pair in advance. They have a good list of area places to snowshoe on their website.

Little Canada City Hall
$3/day for youth residents, $5/day for adult residents, $7/day for non-residents, $6/weekend for youth residents, $10/weekend for adult residents, $12/weekend for non-residents. Rentals must be reserved at least a day in advance.

Maplewood Nature Center
$5/2 hours. They recommend you call ahead for reservation questions or to check on snow conditions. Keep tabs on their social media pages for “Pop Up Snowshoe Events” where you can get free rentals.

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Theodore Wirth Park
$12/3 hours. Pole rental an additional $6.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)
$10/day. The Landscape Arboretum has more than 8 miles of snowshoe trails with suggested loops available.

Minnesota State Parks
$6/day. With many of the Minnesota State Parks offering rentals, you have a wide range of scenery options.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Bloomington & Carver)
FREE rental for the day. Stop by one of the visitor centers to borrow a pair of adult- or child-sized snowshoes. Checkouts are offered with a minimum of 6″ of snow on the ground.

North Sport Rentals (Hopkins/Minnetonka)
$10/day for adults, $5/day for kids, $5/additional day(s).

Oakdale Discovery Center
$6/2 hours. Sizes are available for both children and adults.

Quarry Hill Nature Center (Rochester)
$4-$25, depending on age, membership status, and length of rental. 4 hours, full day or weekend rentals available.

River Bend Nature Center (Faribault)
$5/person for members, $10/person for nonmembers.

Roseville City Hall
$5/day for child, $7/day for adult. Call at least two days in advance.

Saint Peter Recreation Department
$5/day or $10/weekend. Adult and youth sizes are available. Note that a deposit of $50 per pair is required upon pickup and will be refunded when returned.

Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)
$5/day. Adult and child sizes available on a first come, first served basis. Available for use between 9 am – 2 pm. They only rent when there is enough snow on the ground (3+ inches of snow pack).

Three Rivers Park District
$6/2 hours. Available at eight of their locations (Baker, Cleary Lake, Eastman, French, Gale Woods, Lowry, Mississippi Gateway, and Richardson). Reserve your snowshoes online or over the phone.

University of Minnesota Recreation and Wellness Center (Minneapolis)
$8/day, $16/2-3 days, $4/additional day(s). Kids’ snowshoes available at a lower price. Online reservations preferred.

Vadnais Heights
$10/Vadnais Heights household (multiple pairs allows), $10/pair for non-residents. It’s recommended that you make your rentals in-person at City Hall.

Voyageurs National Park
$10/day for adults, $5/day for children 16 and under. Traditional wooden snowshoes are available. You can reserve your rentals online and then pick them up at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Hours are 10 am – 4 pm.

Westwood Hills Nature Center (St. Louis Park)
$5/hour (resident), $6/hour (non-resident). There is a minimum of a 6-inch snow base for snowshoe rentals.

Where do you plan to snowshoe next? Let us know your experience and your favorite locations.  We would also love to hear of any additional places you’ve rented  from that we may have missed.