When the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, Rochester, Minnesota, comes alive with a variety of exciting outdoor activities to enjoy, including sledding. When you’re ready to sail down a snow-covered slope, grab your favorite sled and check out these notable hills for the best sledding spots near Rochester.
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Judd Park
Judd Park is one of the two parks in Rochester that have a designated sledding hill. When snow covers the ground, the large hill in this park becomes a popular destination for anyone looking to enjoy a few hours of sledding. The park doesn’t have any type of tow rope, so you’ll have to walk up the hill on your own. However, your effort will be completely worth it when you fly down the smooth hill to the open and level field below.
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Schmidt Park
Schmidt Park is the other park in Rochester that has a designated sledding hill. Like Judd Park, Schmidt Park doesn’t have a tow rope. Even so, it’s a great place to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and burn off some energy. The slope at this sledding hill isn’t as steep as the one at Judd Park. Additionally, the park has a large open area between the bottom of the hill and the nearest road, which makes this hill a fantastic option for young sledders.
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Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch
Situated about 17 miles south of Rochester, Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is a camp that offers snow tubing for all ages. When you arrive at the camp, you’ll pay for a two-hour tubing session that allows a maximum of 80 people per session. The cost of the session includes a snow tube rental. Additionally, the camp has a chalet that provides cups, spoons, and hot water. All you need to do is bring the cocoa and snacks.
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Cedar Valley Resort
If you want to combine your sledding fun with plenty of other exciting activities, head approximately 43 miles southeast of Rochester to Cedar Valley Resort. The resort has a tubing hill and provides free snow tubes for its guests to use. Other amenities you can enjoy at the resort include snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals, as well as trails, bonfires, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
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Frontenac State Park
If you travel about 47 miles north of Rochester to Frontenac State Park, you’ll find a protected area of land that offers stunning views of the Mississippi River and some excellent hills for sledding. If you get tired of sledding, you can choose one of the park’s other fun winter activities to enjoy. The park maintains 7.1 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. You can also rent snowshoes at the park to explore the 3 miles of snowshoe trails. When you need to warm up, stop by one of the two wood-heated trail shelters available in the winter.
Are you ready to get outside and enjoy winter in Rochester? We know you’ll have a blast speeding down these top sledding hills in the area.
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