Features & Amenities

The Park

Theodore Wirth Regional Park is located within the cities of Golden Valley and Minneapolis. It boasts over 759-acres with miles of trails, a lake, a bog, a wildflower garden, two golf courses and a disc golf course.

Or visit the Quaking Bog, a 5-acre acid bog tucked into the wooded hills of the park. You’ll cross a series of boardwalks floating over islands of sphagnum moss as you observe dragonflies, frogs and songbirds. A variety of plant species thrive in this wetland area, including unique mosses, wildflowers and ferns. The Quaking Bog loop makes for the perfect family-friendly hike.

The park is home to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary where you’ll find more than 600 plant species and 130 bird species. The narrow, winding trails of the Garden lead you through a variety of habitats in hilly terrain. The trail is over one mile in length, but there are multiple routes for shorter or longer walks. Plan to spend 30 min to an hour exploring the beautiful gardens.

Wirth Lake Beach

Located within Theodore Wirth, you’ll find Wirth Lake and a fabulous beach. Wirth Lake Beach features a floating swim dock, a fishing pier, a sand volleyball court, a picnic area, a playground/tot lot, dressing rooms and restrooms. The beach is also accessible for wheelchair/walker access. Beach hours are 6 am – 10 pm, 7 days a week.

Biking

Ready for adventure? Theodore Wirth is one of the premier mountain biking locations in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, boasting more than 12 miles of single-track trails. Beginner and intermediate riders should try out the Area 36 trail, which features a physically demanding but technically easy ride. For expert riders, the Brownie Lake Loop offers quite the adrenaline rush with its steep rock climbs, descents and drops. Pro tip: You can park at The Trailhead and use it as a launching point for your ride.

In winter, the park is all about fat tire biking. The Loppet Foundation grooms and maintains three single-track fat-tire biking and snowshoeing trails in North Wirth: Area 36 (2.5 miles, easy), 45 North (1.5 miles, intermediate) and Conundrum (1.25 miles, advanced). Additional fat biking trails are managed by Minnesota Off Road Cyclists (MORC), these include the North Loop (Back 40) (3.5 miles), South Loop (.66 miles), Glenwood Spur (1 mile), Southwest Loop (1.9 miles, intermediate) and Brownie Lake Loop (1.5 miles, intermediate to extreme).

Gold & Disc Golf

Theodore Wirth Golf Club is one of the oldest public courses in the state. Bassett Creek flows through the front nine, along with a few man-made lagoons. The back nine features rolling hills and mature trees. The course offers some of the most scenic views of the Minneapolis downtown skyline. The course ranges in length from 6,575 yards to 3,646 yards.

Wirth also includes a 1,240-yard Par 3 course, nestled among secluded woods and verdant greenery. It’s ideal for a mid-day break or a casual family outing. Children ages 7 + are welcome. Tee times are on a first come basis.

For those who prefer discs to clubs, an 18-hole disc golf course runs along the Par 3 course. Enjoy tree-lined fairways, rolling elevations and tees for beginning and intermediate players.

During the season, the courses are open daily, from 6:30 am to sunset. A practice green is available for working on your putting and chipping. A unique clubhouse, modeled after a Swiss Chalet, features a pro shop with locker rooms on the lower level and an event space for gatherings up to 100 on the upper level.

Cross Country Skiing

Host site for World Cup cross-county skiing, Theodore Wirth offers miles of groomed and single-track ski trails. Whether you prefer skate style or classical skiing, you’ll enjoy the variety of ski options, from open sections with spectacular views of downtown Minneapolis to wooded trails overlooking scenic lakes. There are trails for all ability levels. Learn more.

Snowshoeing

Explore the snow-covered wooded trails of Theodore Wirth Park, join a naturalist-led trek, or set off on an adventure of your own. The Off-Road Cycling area at the Wirth Winter Recreation Area has some of the best trails in town. The trail twists and climbs its way through a wooded, hilly section of Theodore Wirth Park.

Other Winter Fun

Several other fun winter activities happen at Theodore Wirth. The tubing hill at Wirth Park, located just behind The Trailhead, is designed for family fun. During select days, there is an operating tow rope which brings tubers back up to the top of the hill. Free sledding is offered on the tenth fairway of the golf course (the hill in front of the Chalet) – simply bring your own sled. Friday through Sunday, learn to shred on the snowboarding hill. Equipment rental, lift tickets and classes are available through The Loppet Foundation.

Mill Valley Market

Located at The Trailhead building in the heart of the park, Mill Valley Market offers organic, locally sourced cuisine in a casual, grab-and-go setting. Try a bison burger or a Belgian waffle covered in chocolate and cream. On select summer nights, enjoy live music on the patio.