Summer is inching closer to its sunset hours, and if you find yourself in Ramsey County, there’s still time to hit the beaches before they roll up the welcome mat for the season. Ramsey parks offer a buffet of sand, sun, and picnic spots to savor those last golden days — and they're pretty much tailor-made for those last-minute summer bucket lists.
Take Lake Gervais County Park, for instance, a no-boating oasis where families can wade into safe swimming areas or reel in a day of fishing. Kids have their own sandy play zones, and when it's time for a snack break, there are picnic areas well-equipped with all the necessities. According to the official Ramsey County announcement, visitors can relax during the park's open hours, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., at 2420 Edgerton St, Little Canada.
Then there’s Turtle Lake County Park, a robust pick for active visitors. While swimmers should take extra care since the area is unguarded, the park itself is loaded with amenities: a playground, a backstop, and a picnic shelter that can host up to 75 people. A curious detail to note, parking is ample to say the least, with over a hundred car spaces and slots for nearly two dozen boat trailers.
For those who can't sit still, Long Lake Regional Park has more than just a splash-worthy beach. Multi-use playfields, volleyball courts, fishing piers, and not one, but two playgrounds mean you can chase that volleyball spike with a fishing line cast. "There are 32 picnic tables throughout the park and multiple picnic facilities available to reserve," the county's webpage boasts, with parking that's more than generous at the 1500 Old Hwy 8 NW location in New Brighton.
And we can't forget about Lake McCarrons County Park, Lake Owasso County Park, Tony Schmidt Regional Park, Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park, and White Bear Lake County Park. Each brings its own special features, from nature playgrounds to tranquil trail walks, to reservable picnic shelters for that perfect summer get-together. Plus, each park sticks to the considerate hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., giving you ample time to soak up all that late-summer energy.
Ramsey County isn’t shy about inviting folks to escape their daily grind and come down for these fleeting beach days. Whether the goal is to build a masterpiece sandcastle at Lake Josephine or hook the catch of the day at Lake McCarrons, there's something for all to dive into. Before the back-to-school bustle fully seizes your schedule, remember these spots are there for the taking until the sun dips on the season.
