Ritter Farm Park

Ritter Farm Park is a peaceful, wooded park set in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. It is a loop trail that runs just over three miles alongside a beautiful lake. Needless to say, it is a fantastic place to go if you’re looking for the perfect spot for a walk with your canine companion.

Dogs love Ritter Farm Park because of its peaceful trail through nature, but they love it even more because Ritter Farm Dog Park is located there! The off-leash dog park is right by the trail, so you might want to stop by while you’re visiting. You can find drinking fountains (for dogs and humans) waste bags, restrooms, and parking there as well, so it is a good place to take a break from your walk.

Unsurprisingly, you’ll find you want to walk the entirety of Ritter Farm Park’s trail because it is so beautiful! Along the trail you’ll find wildflowers, a variety of birds, majestic oak trees, and a tranquil lake that marks the center of the park — it is a truly meditative walk that is enhanced by the park’s natural features. The trail itself is also very family-friendly: it is well-maintained, easy to walk on, and there are large color maps posted in intervals along the loop. There are also picnic tables along the trail, so if at any point you need to rest your legs — or if you just want to sit down and observe the scenery of the park — you’ll have a place to do it.

As always, be courteous to other visitors in the park. Make sure to clean up after your dog (bags can be found at the dog park), and remember that dogs are required to be on their leash while using the trail.

Ritter Farm Park is truly a hidden gem in Lakeville — stop by with your furry friend and find out why!