Red Wing, MN: The city that knows summer fun!

Red Wing is a community with a history of close ties to its natural surroundings. Unlike many other locations, a commitment to stewardship towards those resources exists in Red Wing. As a result, there is a wide range of activities for individuals, families and groups to find summer recreation throughout the area!

Community Parks

Red Wing has 39 community and neighborhood parks. While each one has terrific amenities and features loved by many, there are several with unique highlights:

• He Mni Can - Barn Bluff highlights the most recognizable natural feature for residents and visitors to Red Wing. Several miles of trails take visitors to the summit for a rewarding vista of Red Wing and the Mississippi River. The City asks visitors to respect the sacred nature of specific portions of the bluff to the Mdewakanton Dakota people of the Prairie Island Indian Community. 
• Memorial Park sits opposite He Mni Can - Barn Bluff, offering dramatic views of the Mississippi River, Red Wing and the bluffs on the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river. A recent renovation allows more access to the park, its disc golf course, and hiking and mountain biking trails. 
• Colvill Park is home to a marina on the Mississippi River, tennis courts, picnic shelters, the Red Wing Water Park and much more.

On the River

Red Wing draws much of its recreation from the Mississippi River! The Ole Miss Marina has 284 boat slips split between Bay Point Marina and Colvill Marina. Boaters will find daily transient docking and overnight slips with access to electricity, water and a restroom with showers, boat services and year-round storage. 

River Valley Power & Sport offers powersports and marine equipment for all seasons. The Red Wing location serves as a pontoon, boat rigging, and service center. Its River Valley Marina at Colvill Park rents fishing boats and pontoons in addition to its gas dock, ship store, bait & tackle, laundry and showers.

Levee Park is a popular locale to enjoy the Mississippi River from its banks. Visitors frequent the park for the trails, trees, monuments and views, while it is also the passenger riverboat landing area. 

Swimming

The Red Wing Water Park is a classic summertime destination with water slides, a diving board and a concession stand. The Red Wing Splash Pad at Athletic Field offers zero-entry summer fun for all ages.

Golf

Golf enthusiasts have several courses to choose from in the Red Wing area, each offering a unique opportunity to challenge participants.

The public Red Wing Golf Course has been in operation for over 100 years and was ranked the #3 golf course in Minnesota by golfadvisor.com in 2021. It includes The Skyroom, a wedding and event venue that perfectly uses The Walsh House. 

Mississippi National Golf Links offers a unique combination of two 18-hole public golf courses offering a memorable experience for golf enthusiasts. The Lowlands is a more traditional course topping out at 6,484 yards and a par 71, while the Highlands offer a scenic and visually challenging experience highlighting the Mississippi River while playing 6,282 yards for another par 71.  

A short drive down Highway 61 from Red Wing leads to the Mount Frontenac Golf Course, a stunning 18-hole course overlooking the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin.  

Hiking

The Cannon Valley Trail attracts nearly 100,000 users annually to bike, hike, skate and ski along the 20-mile trail. It runs from the Old West Main Access outside the Red Wing city limits to Cannon Falls. 

City Experience

The Red Wing Collectors Society has held its annual convention each July in Red Wing since 1977. The 2022 event was titled “CrockFest” and offered attendees the opportunity to experience the history of pottery, stoneware, dinnerware and more. 

River City Days is the city’s premier summer festival. Persons and families from St. Paul to Rochester come to Red Wing each August to experience the typical entertainment, food and fun that personifies Main Street America!

Baseball fans enjoy heading to Red Wing Athletic Field, one of the premier baseball diamonds in the state. “The Ath” is the home of the amateur Red Wing Aces, who have appeared in 24 state championships since 1971, winning three state titles. 

Gardening

For many, gardening is an affair best practiced in the solitude of a backyard. But at the Red Wing Community Gardens, individuals and families have the opportunity to bond with other community members while perfecting their green thumb! Users can reserve plots at the Spring Creek Community Garden and Featherstone Community Garden to grow their favorite vegetables, herbs, and more. 

Community Engagement

Many organizations and individuals in Red Wing dedicate their time to ensuring the plentiful recreation in Red Wing is present for generations to come. 

With Ready, Set, Red Wing, local organizations and the City of Red Wing join forces to help raise awareness of and promote recreation in the Red Wing area. Whether a person enjoys sailing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, experiencing the area’s cultural amenities or gathering with other outdoor enthusiasts, Ready, Set, Red Wing has something for everyone!

A unique and exciting program found in the area is the Red Wing Park Naturalist Program. Funded by the Red Wing Community Education and Recreation, the naturalists seek to connect community members to the natural resources around the Red Wing community. The position hosts a Facebook page for community engagement. 

The Friends of the Bluff organization has ensured trail maintenance, promotion and stewardship in Red Wing since 2012. The organization gladly takes new members to increase its involvement. 

The Red Wing Mountain Bike Association organizes events and promotes the sport in Red Wing and the surrounding area, like Welch Village. 

Please contact the Red Wing Port Authority for assistance finding the outdoor recreation you seek in Red Wing by emailing us or calling (651) 385-3639.