Classic cross country skis and snowshoes are available for rent Saturdays and Sundays at Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks from 11am - 4pm (weather dependent).  They are also available at Baylor Regional Park on Friday's from 12pm-4pm.  Equipment reservations are not necessary or taken.

Rental   Equipment	Baylor Regional Park	Lake Minnewashta Regional Park	Lake Waconia Regional Park
Snowshoes Cross country skis, poles, & boots	$5 for 2 hours  $5 for 2 hours	$5 for 2 hours  $5 for 2 hours	N/A  N/A

Natural snow ski trails are maintained at both Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks. Use of these trails are free and the park requires no parking/entrance permit.

• Snow falls of 2"+ will trigger snow removal and ski trail grooming, which may take more than one day to complete.
• After snow removal, the first priority is to pack trails.  This is followed by laying fresh tracks, which is normally done on Mondays and Fridays, weather permitting.

 Ski Trail Definitions

• Grooming
  • Packed: Trails are packed for skate skiing
  • Tracked: Tracks are laid for classical skiing
  • Groomed: Trails are prepared for skate & classical skiing
  • Ungroomed: Trails are not packed or tracked
• Conditions
  • Good: No bare spots with recent packing/tracking
  • Fair: Some bare, slushy, or icy spots
  • Poor: Pack/tracks have greatly deteriorated
  • Closed: Lack of snow or dangerous conditions

For updated trail conditions, please call the Winter Hotline at (952) 466-5237, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

 *Please note, if a groomed trail has been pressed with ski track, then it is not intended for walking*

At Lake Minnewashta, there will be a double loop of trails groomed specifically for walking and for those who would like to exercise their pets.  These trails will utilize portions of the existing trail system, grounds of the picnic areas and open play fields.  Unpaved walking trails will be compacted similar to the cross country ski trails without the ski track.  The walking course trailheads will be located at the north parking lot for shelter #5 & also at the Public Boat Access.  Signs showing blue snowflake symbols will identify the walking course. 

Additionally, the 1.5 mile paved section of trail within Lake Minnewashta Regional Park will be maintained for winter walkers and runners.  The trail surface will be groomed snow similar to the City of Chanhassen's trail section (which leaves the park and runs north/south along Highway 41).  A bare surface will not be provided, please enjoy safely.  This trail comes under the highway and goes past the boat landing to beach. It is connected to the City of Chanhassen's trail section, which exits the Lake Minnewashta Regional Park near Ches Mar Drive, and runs north and south along Highway 41. 

Pet owners are reminded that pets must be kept on a six-foot leash when outside the fenced off-leash dog area. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.  For more information, please call (952) 466-5250.  

The Sledding Hill at Lake Waconia Regional Park is open December - March as conditions allow.  Please see posted signs and our Facebook/Instagram accounts for current conditions.  When conditions are icy or dangerous, the hill will be closed. 

Lake Waconia Regional Park has an 80 foot sledding hill with two runs; one run is smooth and straight while the other is more rugged and undulating. Sleds and up-hill transportation are not provided, please bring your own sled and be prepared to walk up the hill on the designated trail.

Sledding Hill Parking & Access Map

Sledding Hill Rules:

• Open 9am-Sunset conditions permitting
• Use at your own risk. Sledding Hill is not supervised.
• Children are to be supervised by an adult.
• Standing on or overloading sleds is prohibited.
• No snowboards, skis, toboggans or metal runner sleds.
• Sled in designated area only.
• Keep a safe distance from others when sledding.
• Wait for others to clear bottom before sledding.
• Exit bottom of hill promptly.
• Walk up hill on designated trail only.
• Construction of jumps or moguls is prohibited.
• Emergencies call 911

To find more information about our public programs and Candlelit Nights at Baylor, check the Special Events page for additional details and registration information. Alternatively, search your local parks department or community education website for "Carver County Parks".

Whether you want to set up a birthday party, school field trip, scout outing, or a private family ski lesson, we would love to work with you! For more information, email parks@carvercountymn.gov or call (952) 466-5250.

In the winter, we offer cross country ski, snowshoe, kicksled, outdoor cooking, and geocaching programs!