Get outside in Red Wing for Parks & Rec Month

July is Park and Recreation Month - the perfect time to get outside and enjoy all that Red Wing has to offer! We have nearly 40 parks, numerous hiking and biking trails and the mighty Mississippi River, making our community an incredible place for families and outdoor adventurers. 

Why we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month

As economic developers, we understand the vital role parks and recreation play in our community. They are essential for residents’ high quality of life and enjoyment and for new families looking for a place to live. Parks and recreation can also serve as an economic driver. When people visit our community to play at a park, participate in a tournament or use our recreation facilities, they often spend money locally as they shop, eat at restaurants and fill up their vehicles with gas, creating jobs and other local benefits.

Community growth

Celebrate Park and Recreation Month with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to recognize the power parks and recreation opportunities have in Red Wing. This year, the NRPA’s theme is “Where Community Grows,” directing attention to bringing people together to foster goodwill and growth in communities nationwide. Use the NRPA 2023 Park and Recreation Month Toolkit to promote activities in Red Wing.

There are many ways you can help! Share posts about our parks and rec on social media. Invite friends to visit, leave positive reviews on Facebook and Google and become an ambassador for our community. Here are a few parks and recreation spots you can see and talk about.

He Mni Can - Barn Bluff 

As the most recognizable natural feature for residents and visitors to Red Wing, He Mni Can - Barn Bluff has several miles of trails leading to a rewarding vista of Red Wing and the Mississippi River. The gentle hiking offers the opportunity to get out in nature while respecting the sacred nature of specific bluff segments held by the Mdewakanton Dakota people of the Prairie Island Indian Community. 

Memorial Park 

Opposite He Mni Can - Barn Bluff, Memorial Park has hiking and mountain biking trails and a disc golf course to complement the dramatic views of the Mississippi River, Red Wing and the bluffs on the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river.

Mississippi Fun

The Ole Miss Marina has 284 boat slips on the Mississippi River, 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. 

Those wishing to view the river from the mighty river’s banks enjoy Levee Park. Visitors frequent the park for the trails, trees, monuments and views, while it is also the passenger riverboat landing area.

Cannon Valley Trail

Nearly 20 miles of paved bicycle and hiking trails connect Red Wing to Cannon Falls on the Cannon Valley Trail. The gentle slope of the former railroad line is an excellent way for families and bicycling enthusiasts to enjoy the spectacular scenery of southeastern Minnesota and these fabulous communities.

Get Outside and Bring a Friend

We encourage you to get outside, explore, do something new and bring a friend. Red Wing has much to offer, and our parks and recreation department provides opportunities for community members to enjoy themselves. Still, only some take advantage of these opportunities. Share this article and tell a friend about all the great things to do in our community. Connect with the Red Wing Port Authority or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter to learn more about the opportunities awaiting you in Red Wing!