County Park
A beautiful, multi-use park
This 628-acre park, managed by Nicollet County, follows Seven Mile Creek from the Minnesota River up the ravines into historic mesic hardwoods and grasslands. There are 10 miles of gravel and dirt hiking and horseback riding trails. The forests are home to white-tail deer, wild turkeys, and nesting and migratory bird species. Seven Mile Creek is also a designated trout stream, stocked each year. There are three shelters, numerous picnic areas, playground equipment, volleyball courts, a ball diamond, and a boat landing on the Minnesota River.
Trout in Seven Mile Creek
Seven Mile Creek is one of the few designated trout streams in south-central Minnesota. Sufficient groundwater discharges from springs located upstream of the upper parking area within the park provide the conditions necessary for trout survival. The groundwater flows maintain temperatures cool enough (below about 75 degrees F) during the summer and provide ice-free conditions in the winter. Seven Mile Creek is annually stocked with adult brown trout in the spring. The trout can usually be seen in the deep pools when the water is clear. Quietly approach the stream and hide behind vegetation to observe and maybe catch these wary fish.