A crossroads beside the river
Coldwater Spring sits near the meeting of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, where Native Americans and traders once traveled for commerce. During construction of Fort Snelling, U.S. soldiers camped here; the site is described as Minnesota’s first American settlement. By 1825, soldiers had moved into the completed fort, while a small trading village continued near the spring. NPS
The spring’s story is still legible in the landscape. It supplied Fort Snelling and the later Upper Post, first through water wagons and railcars, then through a formal Army waterworks established in 1880. The Army used it as a water source until the 1920s. NPS
From research campus to prairie
The route now crosses land that was once occupied by the Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center. Its buildings, mostly constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, housed work on mining safety, technology, and mineral extraction; researchers also analyzed moon rocks returned by Apollo missions. The buildings were demolished in 2011. NPS
Restoration has replaced much of that built footprint with prairie and wetland. Twelve buildings were removed, twelve acres of prairie and one acre of wetlands were restored and seeded, and more than 1,000 trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers were planted. Work continues as the oak savanna and prairie mature. NPS
A short walk with room to linger
The ADA-compliant gravel trail leads from the parking area toward Coldwater Spring and its spring house. The walk is well suited to wildlife viewing and photography: turkeys, deer, and coyotes are not uncommon, and native wildflowers bloom through the growing season. As the restored habitat develops, birdwatching has become a growing draw. NPS
For a history-focused visit, the park’s Ranger on Call mobile tour adds context to the places along the way. Cyclists must walk their bicycles on the gravel trail from the parking lot past the spring house to the next trail junction, protecting the surface from ruts. NPS
Plan the approach
The listed address is 5601 Minnehaha Park Dr S, St Paul. From Hiawatha Avenue, turn east on 54th Street East, then immediately south onto the frontage road; paid parking is available there. Parking at Coldwater itself is limited to disability parking. NPS
The gravel trails are wheelchair accessible, but there are no restrooms on site. Dogs are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet. The park lists access in winter, spring, summer, and fall, with visiting hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Water from the spring house and reservoir is not potable, so bring drinking water. NPS
Sources & further reading
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