Skip to Content

21 Best and Fun Things To Do In Cottage Grove, Minnesota


TouristWire Editors

Cottage Grove is a hidden gem in Minnesota. It is small enough to provide a peaceful atmosphere, yet has much to offer visitors.

Cottage Grove is known for its arts scene, with numerous art galleries and museums scattered throughout the city. There are also dozens of parks with plenty to see if you have time to hike or explore.

Read our list of things to do in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, to help you explore this charming community even more

The 21 Most Popular Things To Do In Cottage Grove, Minnesota

21. Schaar’s Bluff Playground

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

Location: Hastings MN

Web Address:   https://co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/SpringLake/Pages/schaars-bluff-trailhead.aspx

20. Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) – South Entrance

4.6 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

Af1qipnjdvbuo0y1aytg1lbukkoc rzz4ui8r8izvywr=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: ourboldhero, Google Maps

Location: 7674 7600 110th Street S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 259 5800

Web Address:   https://dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html

19. Mooers Lake

4.4 ★★★★☆ (9 reviews)

800px-mooers lake %28mississippi river%29%2c cottage grove%2c minnesota - hazen p mooers park%2c grey cloud island %2840718111060%29

Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons

18. Dodge Nature Center at Shepard Farm

4.4 ★★★★☆ (11 reviews)

Af1qipmnzlwswxu- o8qx1bbki kdczc-0yxm9-tkjjk=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Justin Merritt, Google Maps

Location: 9020 9038 70th Street S Cottage Grove MN

Web Address:   https://dodgenaturecenter.org/

17. Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

4.7 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

Af1qipolg2si1gkamnoa-nstq4xfabdrvrmowsuvi07r=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), Google Maps

Location: Nyberg Ave S Hastings MN

Tel:  651 259 5800

Web Address:   http://mndnr.gov/snas/sna01041

16. Hazen P. Mooers Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (49 reviews)

800px-mooers lake %28mississippi river%29%2c cottage grove%2c minnesota - hazen p mooers park%2c grey cloud island %2840718111060%29

Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10865 Grey Cloud Trail S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 458 2800

Web Address:   https://cottagegrovemn.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Hazen-P-Mooers-Park-11

15. Grey Cloud Dunes SNA

4.5 ★★★★★ (85 reviews)

800px-hiking at grey cloud dunes sna - minnesota - tony webster %2850961810648%29

Credit: Tony Webster, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 113th Street S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 259 5800

Web Address:   http://mndnr.gov/snas/sna01101

14. Highlands Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (209 reviews)

Location: 6975 Idsen Ave S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 459 1295

Web Address:   https://cottagegrovemn.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Highlands-Park-15

13. Hamlet Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (210 reviews)

450px-hamlet park - panoramio

Credit: Brad Carrier, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 8883 Hamlet Ave S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 459 1281

Web Address:   https://cottagegrovemn.gov/192/Parks-Trails

12. Kingston Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (290 reviews)

Af1qipogl bdedgldexked1 n9hw-84dvjjpsycczsjm=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Rich Engelstad, Google Maps

Location: 9195 75th Street S Cottage Grove MN

Web Address:   https://cottagegrovemn.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Kingston-Park-17

11. Schaar’s Bluff Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ (298 reviews)

Af1qipmzd4o8npw2cduwyyg-8s6naxpfhkvd mahiake=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: mark lundquist, Google Maps

Location: 8500 127th Street E Hastings MN

Web Address:   https://co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/SpringLake

10. Woodridge Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (410 reviews)

Af1qipo40g6udhs-e0x3pr wminwmpg0qi6qzzt63tvk=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Melissa Greeder, Google Maps

Location: 9000 90th Street S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 459 7037

Web Address:   https://cottagegrovemn.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Woodridge-Park-33

Our Top picks

9. Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

4.4 ★★★★☆ (120 reviews)

Location: 111th Street E Inver Grove Heights MN

Tel:  651 259 5800

Web Address:   http://mndnr.gov/snas/sna02030

8. Spring Lake Park Reserve

4.9 ★★★★★ (124 reviews)

Af1qippn6rlbdgqca-q0mklsla7b5sik4xk av0hsytf=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Teresa Bee, Google Maps

Location: 8395 127th Street E Hastings MN

Tel:  952 891 7000

Web Address:   http://co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/SpringLake

7. Cottage Grove Bike Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (160 reviews)

Af1qippqrpf9gngazt9kmhqn9zcctoaoge318m78f5w=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Twin City Siding Solutions LLC, Google Maps

Location: 7050 Meadow Grass Ave S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 458 2808

6. Dakota Woods Fee Dog Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (283 reviews)

Af1qipne4s947qhbbowph-kd9vkxovtfo-lg 4jqzgkw=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: James Mackey, Google Maps

Location: 16470 Blaine Ave Rosemount MN

Tel:  952 891 7000

Web Address:   https://co.dakota.mn.us/parks/Activities/OffLeash/Pages/default.aspx

5. Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (286 reviews)

Af1qipmy3ukejdu9mpebkbcms7kcqlmq4ibgluv-3gm =w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Sao Her, Google Maps

Location: 9653 Keats Ave S Cottage Grove MN

Tel:  651 430 8226

Web Address:   https://co.washington.mn.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Cottage-Grove-Ravine-Regional-Park-12

4. Carpenter Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ (400 reviews)

Location: 12805 Street Croix Trail S Hastings MN

Tel:  651 437 4359

Web Address:   http://carpenternaturecenter.org/

3. Afton State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,452 reviews)

Location: 6959 Peller Ave S Hastings MN

Tel:  651 201 6780

Web Address:   http://dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html

2. Afton Alps

4.1 ★★★★☆ (1,621 reviews)

Af1qipo3muoteip -aehbsg0imvjyhqygi7tdl4jior1=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Afton Alps, Google Maps

Location: 6600 Peller Ave S Hastings MN

Tel:  651 436 5245

Web Address:   http://aftonalps.com/

1. Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (6,909 reviews)

Location: 120 W Kellogg Blvd Street Paul MN

Tel:  651 293 0200

Web Address:   http://nps.gov/miss/index.htm

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Cottage Grove, Minnesota! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

!