Theodore Wirth Regional Park — Year-Round Outdoor Recreation

Location and Contact

1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Golden Valley, MN 55422

612-230-6400

More Than 759 Acres of Outdoor Activities

Theodore Wirth Regional Park spans 759 acres and offers things to do in every season. Visitors can explore miles of trails, spend time by the lake, walk through an urban forest, play golf, or visit the chalet-style golf clubhouse.

At the center of the park is The Trailhead, a multi-purpose facility with park information, equipment rentals—including skis, bikes and more—and Mill Valley Market, an awesome eatery. The building is also available to rent for weddings and other functions. During summer, the Trailhead patio hosts live music every Friday evening; in colder months, the performances move indoors.

Features & Amenities

The Park

Theodore Wirth Regional Park extends across the cities of Golden Valley and Minneapolis. Its more than 759-acres include miles of trails, a lake, a bog, a wildflower garden, two golf courses and a disc golf course.

The Quaking Bog is a 5-acre acid bog situated among the park’s wooded hills. A network of boardwalks floats across islands of sphagnum moss, offering views of dragonflies, frogs and songbirds. Unique mosses, wildflowers and ferns are among the plant life found in this wetland. The Quaking Bog loop is a perfect family-friendly hike.

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary contains more than 600 plant species and 130 bird species. Its narrow, winding paths pass through several habitats across hilly terrain. The Garden trail measures over one mile, with alternate routes available for shorter or longer walks. Exploring the gardens generally takes 30 min to an hour.

Wirth Lake Beach

Inside Theodore Wirth is Wirth Lake and its fabulous beach. Amenities include a floating swim dock, fishing pier, sand volleyball court, picnic area, playground/tot lot, dressing rooms and restrooms. Wheelchair/walker access is available at the beach. It is open from 6 am – 10 pm, 7 days a week.

Biking

Theodore Wirth ranks among the premier mountain biking locations in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, with more than 12 miles of single-track trails. Area 36 is suited to beginner and intermediate riders, combining a physically demanding route with technically easy riding. Expert cyclists can take on the Brownie Lake Loop, including steep rock climbs, descents and drops.

The Trailhead provides a convenient place to park and begin a ride. City/hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, and fat tire bikes are available to rent from The Trailhead.

During winter, fat tire biking takes center stage. The Loppet Foundation grooms and maintains three single-track fat-tire biking and snowshoeing trails in North Wirth:

• Area 36 — 2.5 miles, easy
• 45 North — 1.5 miles, intermediate
• Conundrum — 1.25 miles, advanced

Minnesota Off Road Cyclists (MORC) manages additional fat biking routes:

• North Loop (Back 40) — 3.5 miles
• South Loop — .66 miles
• Glenwood Spur — 1 mile
• Southwest Loop — 1.9 miles, intermediate
• Brownie Lake Loop — 1.5 miles, intermediate to extreme

Golf and Disc Golf

Theodore Wirth Golf Club is one of the oldest public courses in the state. Bassett Creek and several man-made lagoons shape the front nine, while the back nine travels through rolling hills and mature trees. Players can enjoy some of the most scenic views of the Minneapolis downtown skyline. Course lengths range from 6,575 yards to 3,646 yards.

A 1,240-yard Par 3 course sits among secluded woods and verdant greenery. It works well for a mid-day break or a casual family outing, and children ages 7 + are welcome. Tee times are available on a first come basis.

An 18-hole disc golf course follows the Par 3 course for visitors who prefer discs to clubs. The layout includes tree-lined fairways, rolling elevations and tees designed for beginning and intermediate players.

During the season, the courses operate daily, from 6:30 am to sunset. A practice green supports putting and chipping practice. The distinctive clubhouse is modeled after a Swiss Chalet, with a pro shop and locker rooms on the lower level and an event space for gatherings up to 100 on the upper level.

Cross Country Skiing

Theodore Wirth is a Host site for World Cup cross-county skiing and offers miles of groomed and single-track ski trails. Skate-style and classical skiers can choose among open stretches with spectacular views of downtown Minneapolis and wooded routes overlooking scenic lakes. Trails accommodate all ability levels.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoe through Theodore Wirth Park’s wooded, snow-covered trails, take part in a naturalist-led trek, or explore independently. Some of the best trails in town are in the Off-Road Cycling area at the Wirth Winter Recreation Area. The trail winds and climbs through a wooded, hilly part of Theodore Wirth Park.

Other Winter Fun

Theodore Wirth has several additional winter activities. Located just behind The Trailhead, the tubing hill at Wirth Park is designed for family fun. On select days, a tow rope operates to carry tubers back to the top.

Free sledding takes place on the tenth fairway of the golf course—the hill in front of the Chalet. Visitors simply need to bring their own sled. From Friday through Sunday, the snowboarding hill offers a chance to learn to shred. The Loppet Foundation provides equipment rental, lift tickets and classes.

Mill Valley Market

Mill Valley Market is located inside The Trailhead building at the heart of the park. It serves organic, locally sourced cuisine in a casual, grab-and-go setting. Menu options include a bison burger and a Belgian waffle covered in chocolate and cream. On select summer evenings, live music takes place on the patio.