The Three Rivers Park District is a park system in the west-suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area of Minnesota. Together, the parks in this district manage almost 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional parks, regional trails, and special-use facilities.

"The mission of Three Rivers Park District is to promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system."

The name "Three Rivers" comes from the parks' geography, situated within the watersheds that flow into three significant rivers to this region: the Mississippi, the Minnesota and the Crow.

Off-leash play-time helps maintain the physical and mental health of dogs because it gives them the socialization and exercise they need. Owners can enjoy the scenery and meet each other at the same time.

Before you go, however, be sure to check out the park's rules and agreements for the off-leash dog areas as well as following all other park ordinances. For example, visitors need to carry or display a $5 daily or $30 annual dog off-leash pass, puppies under 4 months of age are not permitted, owners must have certification of a rabies vaccination for each pet, and up to two dogs per handler are allowed in the area at a particular time.

For more information: Refer to the Three Rivers Park District's Activities page.

Go hiking on paved, regional, or skijoring/dog sledding trails with your dog at one of the 13 Three-Rivers Park District locations listed below. Get out of the house and spend a day of quality time with man's best friend -- and get good exercise too!

Just be sure to follow all park rules, including that your dog must stay on a 6-foot, non-retractable leash, and of course never forget permits/passes and picking up after your dog.

For more information: Visit the dog trails page of Three-Rivers Park District.

What exactly is skijoring? There's dog sledding. And there's also cross-country skiing. Skijoring is sort of a combination of these two sports: the person is on cross-country skis and the dog, tied to the skier, helps pull the skier along. For an introduction to this sport, take a minute to watch this video.

Participate in this fun sport at any of the Three-Rivers Park District locations listed below. Just be sure to follow all park rules, and of course never forget permits/passes and picking up after your dog.

For more information: Visit the Three-Rivers Park District's skijoring and dog sledding page.

Three Rivers Park District has almost 25 total miles of trails in 5 different parks available for dog sledding and other winter sport activities.

Until the trails are snow-covered, dog sleds with rubber wheels can be used at Murphy-Hanrehan and Crow-Hassan, which also require a pass to use. Call 763-559-9000 to get a dog sledding pass for these two trails.

If you've got dogs with a lot of energy, participate in this fun sport at any of the Three-Rivers Park District locations listed below. Just be sure to follow all park rules, and of course never forget permits/passes and picking up after your dog.

For more information: Visit the Three-Rivers Park District's skijoring and dog sledding page.