The 16 best parks and gardens in Shakopee

Fun for kids and adults Several options for play Always busy There are not enough swings The SplashPad doesn't stay open until dusk - early closure of 8p

Great place for a large family hangout. Plenty of space to roam around, lots of playground equipment for the kids to enjoy and have a blast. We had a family reunion with about 30 people and the covered shelter was an absolute blessing. Lots of tables for everyone to feel comfortable and not cramped and a great view of the playground to keep an eye on the kiddos while adults were socializing. Restrooms were near by and all facilities were very clean. I will gladly return to this part next time I visit Shakopee. Keep up the good work guys.

Great playground for small kids. Fun Zipline, swings, places to climb and everything you would want. Shelters to rent are great for parties. The splash pad has lots of benches in the shade for adults although the splash pad itself is sunny.

My kiddo absolutely loves this park. Great for all ages and abilities. Real bathrooms on site. The splash pad is an amazing summer option and the little man's personal favorite. Frisby golf course, basketball, jogging trail, tennis courts... it's a great one stop shop to have something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Do wish there was a water fountain for filling water bottles though.

It’s a nice park. It’s a nice playground. They have a great shelter house you can rent. It holds a lot of people and the way the wind blows through it, it’s cool on a hot day.

An excellent and well rounded park. The swimming pool looks amazing, disc golf, basketball, and a host of other activities right in the middle of the city. An excellent benefit to the locals for sure!

Redesigned Disc golf course is finished and looking very good. The place is well maintained and looking good.

I’ve been to this park twice now and had a very nice time both times. Renegade is an absolute beast of an attraction, one of the best wooden roller coasters in the world in my opinion. That Twisted Drop is insane! A very well maintained park, lots of pretty colors, friendly staff, and clean walkways. On both my visits I was also impressed with the random pop up shows on the Midway. It’s small stuff like that that makes you see this park is well run and they want the average guest to have a great day. I also appreciate this park for always running 2 trains on everything, and having speedy operations to keep the lines moving. Overall everyone should checkout Valleyfair, it’s a super nice park.

Very nice, clean, friendly amusement park. Love that it's 2 parks in 1 with the water park. Great rides. Good value, especially with a season pass. The staff is welcoming and seems week-trained. Short line to get in on a busy weekend, but it moves really quickly. This is our first summer at the park, and it's been a lot of fun!

Coming in you have to pay $25 to park right away so beware. The tickets are half the price online than buying them on-site. We bought a fast pass and premium dining. With the premium dining you can order drinks every 15 minutes and food every 90 minutes. Went on a Sunday and the crowd wasn't too bad. The lines weren't out of control and we were able to move around easily. Only one of the rides were shut down and opened back up shortly after. There are a good number of rides but nothing overwhelming. The food is mediocre but there's a good variety. There is a sit down restaurant and a couple places not included in the dining package that might have had better food. There are lockers you can rent for $15 and you're allowed to use it all day and have in and out access. The staff all appear to be teenagers that aren't the most helpful which is the reason for 4 stars. Overall, what you get for what you spend is 9 out of 10. Lol online for discount tickets, we were able to get them for $32 general admission.

It's an amusement park that feels like Cedar Point & Six Flags kind of forgot about, so it feels lacking in many ways, since there are multiple empty stages that don't ever seem to be in use. The busiest time we've visited has been for their valley scare, where we've learned that omitted from the website, they do not allow reentry after 5pm. Which means if you want to do spooky stuff you can't expect to come in after 5pm for their event that start at 7pm. You'll have to arrive 2 hours earlier at the latest. I'd recommend a season pass if you plan on going twice in a year, then you're probably good to not buy one again. I know I don't think I'll get one next year. Edit: an update on this review, we contacted the company and they confirmed that the rule is that no one can leave and reenter the park after 5pm except for 1 person in a party for medical reasons. After staying for an extended time to experience the "darker" parts of Valley Scare we purchased a $17 "No boo" necklace for our kid, and multiple times were told despite paying for this item, the people still might scare if they don't see it. This did happen and usually apologies were given, but there was one man on the "Blood on the Boundary waters" section saw the No Boo necklace and proceeded to make threats to my child stating "that necklace only protects you here, and won't protect you when I'm knocking on your window later." While I can understand a bit of light-hearted prodding, what the hell is the point in doing that to a child let alone one that is wearing a necklace to not be scared? My kid was honestly more annoyed he was still talking than scared, but if that's how he treats kids, and it's only a matter of time before he genuinely alarms someone. I will state that unlike any other of the other visits with the season pass this time many stages actually had shows and show times during valley scare, and applaud those doing those jobs as entertainers. As an aside for pricing, this place is pricey and compared to Disneyland in California you will actually spend more on this park in Minnesota for things like food and souvenirs. (Granted, Disneyland might have more souvenirs you are willing to pay to take home.) Which means if you have been to other places, you do feel like you aren't getting your money's worth. But I can't recommend this place for being worthy of more than a 1 year season pass at most. And I only recommend that, because with a season pass you get free parking and once you do ticket+parking you are already close to the price for a season pass anyway.

First time trip to Valley Fair and my family and I had a great experience. The park was very easy to get to and parking was easy, although a little pricey at $25 dollars. All the rides we wanted to ride were working, and the lines kept moving fast. In fact, we didnt encounter too many rides with long lines the entire day. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Entire park was clean, including the restrooms. We didn't make it to the water park, but honestly, there were enough rides that we didn't honestly have time. We were allowed to bring in a water bottle, which I highly recommend to do to as there are many water bottle filling stations around the park. Food wise, there are options, but we tried to avoid it as much as possible as the prices were not affordable to feed a family. 15 dollar pizza slices and funnel cakes? No thanks. But like I said, we had a great day overall and I would highly recommend giving Valley Fair a try if you haven't. Hopefully we can make it back again sometime soon!

Went with a friend who had a season pass, so we got entry tickets for only $20 per person. Some of the ride still required a 30 minute wait, even on a relatively quiet September weekend. Many of the rides and back were shut down and many of the others had Maintenance issues that shut them down on and off throughout the day. We were able to do nine or 10 rides in five hours. It's a nice place to walk around and people watch. None of the water rides or the waterpark or open in September. Half hour waits for rides on a quiet day make me think that you would probably have hour or more waits during the summer. For 20 bucks it was worth it. I definitely wouldn't come back during the busy summer though!

The park is well laid out, and overall clean. However, it has a very mediocre ride lineup, and operations were atrocious. The ride operators had no sense of urgency, and most seemed “bored” and seemed like it was an inconvenience for them to be there. The food was absolutely insanely priced. $20 for 2 chicken tenders and a splash of fries?? - One of the highest priced theme park foods I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. (Photo of said $20 tenders attached.) - The waterpark was decent, however definitely lacks a real stand out attraction. - The lazy river was long, and very enjoyable since they enforced the “must be in tube” rule. Seemed to cut down on people trying to “push their way” through the river. - All in all, it’s a decent regional park. Absolutely NOT worth the cost of a plane ticket to fly in for a visit. If you’re in the area, sure, visit it. - Making a special trip for it? Would not recommend.

I love this place and have visited there thru the years. It's nice that you can go to the paths and village at no charge but there is few times a year when the houses are open. We went there today for a photo op and it was perfect weather and everything is well kept. The difficulty with this place is very hard for a person with handicaps involving walking as it doesn't allow vehicles on the premise so handicapped people are kind of left out of the experience.

With paved trails, a self guided history tour, several memorial sights and a.park like setting. There are springs and wildlife as well. Who knew? Glad I stopped to check it out.

Popped in for a late October walk on a Sunday. Not busy but the historic buildings look like they are closed for season. But they have posted info placards w QR codes that allow you to see what things look like inside. Te walk along the river give you good views of the Minnesota River and then looping back along bike path you can see the other historic buildings. Bonus is a year round open modern bathroom and shelter. Part of the 3 Rivers Park system

Such a great wedding venue! Even with cooler weather and minimal sun the evening was perfect celebrating the new couple!

We just glad our wedding ceremony at The Landing and everything was perfect! The staff had everything set up in advance and were great to work with.

Pretty interesting and nice place at the river bend. Unfortunately all the houses are closed.

This was a great and beautiful experience and we strongly encourage you to spend a few hours looking around.

Really nice park on the banks of the Minnesota River, just out of downtown Shakopee. There was plenty of parking spaces when I went on a nice Wednesday evening. Some of the trails that go over the bridge were closed due to high River levels. They have plenty of miles of hiking along the river with beautiful views. Lots of bird species. They also have Native American burial mounds here.

Walking in nature connects you with what is essential: fresh air, the sun on your face, and peace in your heart.

The Cobra helicopter caught my eye. There is a memorial to local fallen soldiers here. Also burial mounds planted with native prairie flowers. There is a paved hiking trail.

Holy duck moley!! There were a good number when we came in the summer but apparently the winter is where it's at if you are sighting ducks. You can bring feed bit do not bring bread! The paved walking paths are nice and the playground is great for those who are on a trip and need to let the kids run a bit. Also get some history by checking out the helicopter.

Beautiful park. Playground could use some love but my 2-3 year old still enjoys it. Don't forget your bug pray!

Great place to go for a walk.we walked around memorial park and huber park. We went down to see how high the water is down by the river and it is still pretty high right now but we were able to go for a very nice walk.

Used to come here as a teenager, it was great. Visited about 2 weeks ago and it seems that the park has gone down hill. Not well taken care of anymore unfortunately

Great park! Highway noise sucks sometime but all else is A+

Very well kept, beautiful park and fields. Always has games going on if you're trying to watch sports events in real life. Kiddos love it

Great baseball Park and decent playground:)

This was a really nice ball park. Upon entering, they jad two large baseballs to walk through. And then tables just onside had legs made out of baseball bats. Very cute. Rocking chairs among the other seating. Grandstand seating with actual seats with backs, and they even had more seating on the other side of each dugout. One side even had a swing seat. Very very nice. They do have a concession stand, but it wasn't open the time we were there.

Lots of ball fields! Came for softball tourney.

Cool Minnesota Harley Riders Event, with Classic Cars.

Great park! Not so busy most of the time. Pretty nice playground for kids of all ages. The fields and stadium are pretty decent and well maintained. It's not a world class set up but much better than anything I had access to as a kid. Plenty of parking west of the stadium also at the entrance near the playground. Overall a nice place and pretty clean. Can't remember a time I saw a McDonald's cup, or other trash blowing across the parking lot. Definitely nice for a change!

Had a great time celebrating my mom's 60th birthday. My dad got two tables for 8 people, and it was around $45 to do so. My niece (11 year old) loved seeing the horses up close when we did go down by the track. She also enjoyed the mac and cheese along with ice cream. The flowers are gorgeous as well!

Had an enjoyable poker experience and a good tournament/ cash play. 95% of the dealers are professional and great at their jobs, not the friendliest place for travelers, they all assume you know, but they're happy to answer questions and help you when you explain that you're not a regular. Got my first penalty in a poker tournament ever. Awesome! Totally on me. Great tournament manager Thursday night

Canterbury Park staff went over and beyond to be sure we were well taken care of! We saw Three Dog Night on 8/8/25. This was the BEST concert experience I have EVER had! Great parking, helpful staff, accessible bathrooms, accessible food and drink, FANTASTIC seats! Thanks to @KQRS, we even had a wonderful meet and greet experience! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Always a great time at Canterbury! We live in FL and come up during the summer and this place is always on our list. They have plenty of delicious food options, drinks, cards, and a beautiful paddock! I was fortunate enough to attend both the beer fest and Uncorked wine fest and both were amazing!

Canterbury Park truly outdid itself hosting Theory of a Deadman. I recently caught their show there, and what an experience it was. The venue really felt alive, creating the perfect backdrop for a band that knows how to command a stage. From the moment the music started, the energy was just electric. The sound quality was spot-on, letting every riff and vocal hit just right, which isn't always a given at outdoor shows. The band, of course, was incredible – they sounded fantastic and really engaged the crowd. It was clear everyone there, myself included, was having a genuinely great time. Beyond the music, Canterbury Park itself handled the event smoothly. Getting in and finding our spot was easy, and the overall atmosphere was just really welcoming. It’s always a good sign when a venue can manage a big crowd without a hitch, making the whole evening feel relaxed and enjoyable. This show was a perfect example of Canterbury Park stepping up as a great spot for live music. If they keep bringing in acts like Theory of a Deadman and maintaining this level of experience, I’ll definitely be back for more. It was a fantastic night all around.#theoryofadeadman

Place is very clean and packed during the 4th of July. I hat coming out of the building and parking is a disaster. Tons of drinking and gambling but that’s the people. Love seeing horses racing and the fireworks are amazing! The playlist is great and I’ve gone for 10 years in a row probably. It’s a tradition every year. We know people to get into an outdoor VIP section and it has a bar, seating (a lot) and bathrooms with a changing station. It’s always busy though for events like this which is a bummer.

Had a great time. Not overly fancy...you can be casual, or be fancy...whatever you like. You will fit in perfect 👌

Good park, fairly accessible. There is a nice pavilion and good walking/biking paths. The playground needs more shade and benches. There are only two benches outside the fence that contains the playground, and none inside though there's plenty of room for some.

Usually, this is one of my favorite stops when I visit my sister in Shakopee. Playground and planned outdoor concerts with hiking trails along the river. Lovely place!! Unfortunately, I was there during the flood. Here are my flood shots from June 29th, 2024

The playground is nice and new. It's definitely geared toward older kids, though. While there are a couple of swings and a smaller piece of toddler-oriented equipment, my 2.5 year old was quickly bored and frustrated at not being able to get up to the larger slides; my 5-year old was not tall enough to do some of the climbing required for the main equipment. The zip line is also for older kids. The main equipment is labeled for ages 5-12 but I would skip for kids younger than 6 or so.

This park is on my Wooden Playgrounds In MN list. It is not wooden at all, looks to be pretty new equipment. Wonderful playground with challenging equipment for older children. Plenty of handicap friendly equipment as well. The base of the playground is soft synthetic material. Completely fenced in except for the entrance, wonderful feature.

Went here for an impromptu picnic. It was very nice. Grounds were clean and manicured. The view from the trails were beautiful. They even have a little bike fixing station under the bridge. Very quaint, cute spot.

Equipment for a wide range of abilities! My 4 year old grandson didn't feel comfortable trying everything but still had a great time.

This was my kids' favorite playground. They tore it down this past winter and have plans to build a new playground. I hope it is just as great. The bar is set pretty high with this play area. The restroom area is clean, and the walking trails are lovely. EDIT: The new park is severely lacking compared to the previous equipment. There's much less to do, its really not as friendly to little kids anymore. There's a lot of unused open space but very few options for equipment.

I went today for the first time and was blown away by the dogs here as well as their owners. Very conscientious people here :) i have a mini poodle puppy who is new to socializing with big dogs so I was extra grateful. Only thing is there are extra sharp burrs at one part of the trail, had to pick her up and pick em out.

One of the best dog parks in the state we’ve been to! Lots of wonderful trails, sand pit, puppy area, and a trash can about mid way as well as the entrance.

Fun dog park! It's not huge, but the winding trails and combo of woods and prairie areas are fun for any breed. They have a really nice smaller-dog area right at the entrance, too. It's really beautiful at any time of the year and never super crowded like other popular dog parks. Good double-gate system at the entrance, too.

Great space with areas of mature trees and open areas. It also has a smaller area for smaller dogs. Satellite restroom on site.

Our favorite park! People are always so friendly! Love seeing the variety of dogs!

Beautiful trails. Large area for dogs to run around and explore in a safe environment. The public dog water bowl was super nice for our dog after the activities. I like how they provided doggy bags in case people forgot them.

Really nice park. Felt a little bigger than Bryant lake in Eden prairie but not as busy as bryant lake.

Some of the updates are really great. Some are not. The filter for the pool is not nearly as good as it used to be. The water is VERY cloudy and you can’t see anything under the water. It’s a bit of a safety hazard. It would have been nice if they would have added more slides especially a tube one. The boardwalk is nice and the splash pad area is also nice for the smaller kids. Not a place I would recommend to others.

We went for my friend’s daughter’s birthday party, and the kids had a great time, but the water was really gross. It’s a murky brown color, and you can’t see anything that goes under the surface, creating a big safety hazard for not so strong swimmers. I like to go under the water with my kids when we swim, and whatever chemicals, or God knows what is in there, destroyed my hair. It still wasn’t okay after washing and conditioning. I had to do several treatments before it felt like it wasn’t coated in the sunscreen of 10,000 children. If the water was better, I would give this place a much better rating.

While it was a really fun place, the yelling of one particular lifeguard, makes it hard to want to bring the family back. I understand rules are rules but then you should be checking for the correct life jackets vs the arm reach length of a parent to child especially in the “splash pad” area…

Amazing place with something for all ages. My group had 70yos down to 4yos, and everyone in between - we all had an amazing experience. Multiple slides that offer something for 4yos or older kids. The set up makes it safe and fun for swimmers and non swimmers alike. The on site restaurant has a little something for everyone (see a trend here?). This place is very well thought out and well run. I'd definitely bring my family back.

Super fun day activity for the whole family!! The sand bottom was so nice! They have bball hopes, volleyball nets in the water and on sand and a big pirate ship for everyone to jump off of! Will definitely be back!

Lifeguards and staff were very rude. Opened my bag without permission because I set it on the counter to pay. Saw I had a lunchable and ran in front of me to prevent me from going in until I returned it to my car. The lifeguards are always yelling and blowing their whistles, no one knew what was going on and it was constant. The only decent slide was closed down but we were still charged $16 per person which is the most expensive waterpark around. They don’t offer any seating, the slides are playground equipment not true water slides. The only thing I enjoyed was the shake, that was delicious. We won’t be going back. Eagan, Apple Valley and Faribault offer way better water parks at a much cheaper rate with much nicer staff.

The kids enjoyed their time but please be aware of the water staining your swimsuits!!! The manager told me this will be happening all summer!! They brought in new sand this year and due to that it will stain all your swimsuits!! Also, what were these chemicals that we all were swimming in all day??

The playground is untraditional and very cool for climbers. It is not great for younger kids, but it is labeled as 5-12, so that's no surprise. There are these 4 structures: 2 climbing and 2 swings. My 3yo loved the black hanging swing because it moved in unpredictable ways. I rode the other side opposite him, and just pulled on the other side and he liked all of it. For that swing alone we will come back. We enjoyed seeing trains go by and stop, but then got stuck on Stagecoach for a stopped train which was not as fun!

Very secluded and not crowded. Plenty of tables and shelter for gatherings. A large playground, walking/biking paths, fishing pier, clean water. Though i photographed a motorized boat, they are not allowed.

Quarry Lake in Shakopee offers an unforgettable biking experience with its awe-inspiring scenery and versatile trail options. Nestled amidst nature's beauty, this bike trail provides an escape from the city hustle and transports you to a serene oasis. The trail is conveniently divided into two options: an easy trail and an intermediate trail, both of which can be seamlessly switched between. The easy trail offers two different paths to choose from. The first option spans 0.8 miles, making it perfect for a quick ride or beginners looking for a shorter route. The second option extends to 2 miles, allowing for a more substantial biking adventure while still maintaining a manageable distance. The highlight of Quarry Lake's bike trail is undoubtedly its stunning surroundings. As you pedal along, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the lake, lush greenery, and captivating wildlife. The scenic beauty provides a tranquil atmosphere that rejuvenates the mind and soul. To reach Quarry Lake, the easiest way is to use a navigation service like Google Maps and search for "Quarry Lake." However, please note that this search will show the Xcel Energy Bike Trailhead, which is not the easiest entrance to the trail. Keep in mind that there is no designated parking area, if you ho to the trailhead, you will have to go to xcel energy bike trail parking, so plan accordingly. Overall, Quarry Lake in Shakopee offers a fantastic biking experience with its picturesque scenery, well-maintained trails, and the flexibility to switch between easy and intermediate routes. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rider, this trail is a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable biking adventure in a beautiful natural setting and yes there are restrooms:)

A quiet park nestled in and around Shakopee’s industrial park, offering two real activities: boating and MTB. Although overall a short and compact course, the MTB track packs in a lot in that space: beginner, intermediate, and even some short advanced in-line sections that loop together allowing riders to easily repeat tracks or move on to the next. This is a great option for those just starting out in MTB and looking to practice essential skills or for a quick ride to keep more advanced skills fresh.

Great place to visit has a bike trail and a lake and a dock

Quiet park...Gives the opportunity to walk trails and also enjoy the bicycle course.

Beautiful bike and walking paths! Except some people walk their dogs off leash. Please keep your dogs on leash for everyone's safety. (My husband came around the corner and the dog was on the bike trail).

Flooded river has caused some issues.

There is one guy that is shady during hunting season who ruins it for the rest, so far, otherwise everyone is friendly and a great place for nature walk, fishing, taking pictures

Not very long trails. Trails are wide and not busy.

Love the place!

It was ok. Nothing's there.

Beautiful

Plenty to do here, nice neighborhood. Clean for the most part, looks like they're adding on to the fields

Pretty nice little park. They have a ice rink and baseball field to offer. Not huge by any means but a pleasant place in the summer.

They need to change their hours on google, they are only open 7 am to 10 pm. Dont come after hours unless you want cops rolling up thinking your doing heroin

There is a lot to do at the park. Jungle gyms, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and an overhang. Its great for Pokemon Go; it has 3 gyms and at least 3 other pokestops.

Nice park with a varity of things to do. Not a lot of shade however.

Very nice park, it has a baseball diamond, hockey rink, basketball courts, playground equipment, and some nice big open spaces.

Great park with two different areas one for younger kids and older kids. Has. Great sandbox as well as a full sized basketball court

This was a fun park to visit with my 2 year old. He really enjoyed the spinning cage, which he could manipulate himself. This park only has one bigger slide, and one toddler slide, but it does have some good balancing and spinning parts. There is also a volleyball court, basketball court, walking paths, and big, wide rocks to climb on around in the grass. No bathrooms, which can be a big issue with little kids!

Such a fantastic clean and quiet park. Areas for toddlers and older children up to 12. Play field, volley ball, basketball court and walking path. My kiddo and I luv this park! Do really wish there was a biffy for the little ones though!

My son enjoys this park.

(Translated by Google) Very quiet place to walk... (Original) Lugar muy tranquilo para caminar...

Nice