Outdoor Activities in Little Falls, MN

January

Happy New Year everyone! There’s a thick blanket of snow about Little Falls that is calling your name. Bundle up and get your gear ready, because we have a list of fun winter outdoor activities for you to do during these cold winter months. We’ll share the best places to glide through the snow with your skis, trek about with snowshoes, twirl with your skates, and sled downhill.

Skiing

Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to break out your skis and follow The Platte River Hiking Trail. This trail is 3.5 miles long with 3 loops of varying distance with a one-tenth mile accessible trail and observation platform near the trailhead. Enjoy the freshly groomed paths and the view of the Platte River and Rice Lake as you travel along the path. The trail is also great for hiking and snow shoeing.

Photo by Pat Arnold Photography

Snowshoeing

Charles Lindbergh State Park is a popular choice in the winter for its 7 miles of scenic trails. Grab your snowshoes and trek anywhere you’d like in the park. And, when you get cold or would just like to take a break and rest, stop at the enclosed picnic shelter which becomes a warming house in the winter. You can also enjoy the breathtaking sights of the park’s winter season by hiking or cross country skiing along the trails.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

Skating

Looking to break out your figure skates or play some hockey this winter? Bring your gear over to one of the many skating rinks in Little Falls. If you’re looking for outdoor rinks, Little Falls has two: the Jaycee Park Ice Rink and the Pine Tree Park Ice Rink. Each location offers smooth ice to play hockey and twirl around with friends. If you’re looking for something indoor, there’s the Little Falls Exchange Arena, home to the Little Falls Flyer Hockey! Call ahead for times on open skate and skate rentals.

Photo by Polesie Toys

Sledding

And what’s a Minnesota winter without some sledding? Bring your winter gear and sleds over to Maple Island Park. A community favorite, Maple Island Park is a great spot for enjoying all the snow. Have someone pull you along the paths of the park and enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi River in winter or sled down the hill by the park’s sign with some family and friends! It may be cold, but there’s lots of fun to be had this winter in Little Falls!

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