Fort Snelling State Park, Saint Paul, MN

Fort Snelling State Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota surrounds the actual fort. Fort Snelling was part of the US Northwest development. Today the fort is surrounded by freeways and urban homes, but the government had the fortuitousness to create a park with the surrounding land before it was all commercialized. The land was once home to Native Americans before it was taken over by settlers. The US gained the Upper Mississippi Valley during the Revolutionary War, which is when the fort was built.

The territory prior to that time was largely run by fur traders and the remaining Native Americans. In the War of 1812 the government began taking more control of the Northwest. The fort was part of a new movement to allow only citizens to use American rivers. This meant British citizens could no longer use the area for fur trading. Over the next 30 years, from the time Fort Snelling was built, it was considered a hub for the Upper Mississippi. It was a meeting area for Dakota, Okibwe and other settlers in the area. The traders actually had to stop at the fort for their furs to be inspected before they could move on. Many travelers were given lodgings at the fort including Swiss, French, and Scottish immigrants.

By 1851 the rules for the fort changed. Territories were being pushed farther west so other forts were created along the way. It meant that Fort Snelling became nothing more than a glorified supply depot. Between the 1880's and 1900's barracks, officers quarters, and storehouses were built near the post. These buildings were eventually demolished as they didn't hold up to the weather and elements. The fort was the only thing made of stone. In World War II it became a place for 300,000 inductees to be trained. In the 1950's the fort was rebuilt and considered a national landmark.

It is this building that sits in the park today. The fort is not the only thing to do in the park though. There are many hiking, biking, and skiing trails that run through the park and around the fort. One can canoe on Gun Club Lake, play golf, or even swim in Snelling Lake during the summer. Hiking on Pike Island is a wonderful way to spend the day due to the Mississippi and Minnesota River convergence. Films and exhibits are located at Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center to go over the history of the park and the fort.

Firewood restrictions are often placed on the park in summer when the land becomes dry. For outdoor enthusiasts camping, fishing, hiking, and much more is offered. Birding is often popular as the birds head south for the winter and north for summer. Another place to see is the Dakota Memorial. The park is open year round from 8am to 10pm daily. Weather does not stop the park from opening unless it is a huge storm that makes the roads impassable for all of Saint Paul and surrounding areas.