7 Ways to Embrace Winter in Shakopee

Activities Attractions Best of Shakopee Events Outdoors

Embrace winter’s snowy days and chilly temperatures with outdoor activities in Shakopee.  Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or a challenging adventure, here’s how to make the most of the season.

  1. Snowmobiling

There are nearly 250 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in and near Shakopee—check them out on a snowmobile from Minnesota Snowmobile Rentals, which offers a variety of snowmobiles and trailers with daily, weekend, and week-long rates.  The Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a popular spot for snowmobiling, with a groomed 30-mile trail through wetlands, hillsides, and bluffland, with views of the river valley.  Learn more about other local trails via Sno-Trails, a group of local snowmobile clubs.

Experience snowmobiling as a spectator at the ISOC Snocross Nationals at Canterbury Park, held on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14, 2023.  Cheer on world-class competitors in races featuring big air jumps and exciting action.   

  1. Cross country skiing

For a slower paced outdoor adventure, explore the outdoors on cross country skis at the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, which has five miles of ungroomed cross country ski trails.  Experienced skiers should check out the trails at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve,  which has nearly nine miles of intermediate and advanced trails groomed for classic and skate skiing, with steep uphill grades and downhill runs through the woods.

For a beginner-friendly experience, Cleary Lake Regional Park has six miles of trails for all levels groomed for classic and skate skiing, some of which are lit during the evening hours.  Ski rentals are available and can be reserved online.

  1. Snowshoeing

Strap on a pair of snowshoes and trek through the snow in beautiful natural settings.  At The Landing, explore a scenic one-mile trail that runs along the Minnesota River and offers some of the best bird watching in the Twin Cities.  Cleary Lake Regional Park is another family-friendly option, with snowshoe rentals (online reservations required) and 1.5 miles of snowshoe trails.

For more ambitious snowshoers, Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve has nearly six miles of trails, and at the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge snowshoeing is allowed everywhere except on the groomed snowmobile trail.

  1. Ice Skating 

Glide across the ice at one of Shakopee’s outdoor rinks.  Rinks with staffed warming houses are located at Green Meadows Park, Westminster Park, and Southbridge Community Park.  Lion’s Park also has a rink, but does not have a warming house.  Rinks are lit until 10:00 p.m. and will be open through the end of February, weather permitting.

  1. Sledding

The more snow, the better—for zooming down the sledding hill at Lions Park.  The park is open until 10:00 p.m. daily.

  1. Ice Fishing

Try your luck ice fishing at Quarry Lake, which is stocked annually with rainbow trout.  The winter trout season runs from January 14-March 31, 2023, and a special trout stamp and fishing license are required.  

  1. Horse Skijoring

Cheer on the competitors at Canterbury Park’s annual extreme horse skijoring event, held on Saturday, February 25, 2023.  Horse skijoring combines skiing and horseback riding, with a rider on a horse pulling a skier through a course with gates and jumps.  

The event will also include a freestyle show, with skiers and snowboarders pulled by horses and performing tricks and flips, as well as winter wiener dog and corgi races, an ice bar, and bonfires with s’mores.

This winter, embrace the season with a stay in Shakopee!  Shakopee is home to Valleyfair, Canterbury Park, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and is conveniently located to area attractions including Mystic Lake Casino, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater.

Book your stay in Shakopee today!