There's vast woodland around the Twin Cities, with bogs, marshes, and wetlands where you can see local plants and wildlife. There are scenic boardwalks near Minneapolis homes for sale and wetland trails near St. Paul homes for sale, so you can explore this natural beauty for yourself. Here are some of our favorites.

Your Guide to Twin Cities Trails and Boardwalks

Blaine Wetland Sanctuary – Blaine, MN

Address: 11980 Lexington Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55449

Over 500 acres of wetland and upland can be found at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary, and a boardwalk directly through it provides you with a view of the entire expanse. There's a host of native flower species to see, along with birds and other wildlife. Located near Blaine homes for sale, there are also activities for kids, such as Walk the Solar System, which envisions all the planets compacted into a 1-mile trail.

Northwest Greenway – Plymouth, MN

Address: 5250 Peony Lane N., Plymouth, MN 55446

There are several trails through Northwest Greenway, including both bike and walking trails. Nearly 8 miles of trails take you all through this wooded nature preserve, from Lake Camelot to Elm Creek Park Reserve to Clifton E. French Regional Park, and more. Plus the Challenge Course, with physical challenges such as:

• Climbing obstacles
• Balance challenges
• Agility features

Located near Plymouth homes for sale, Northwest Greenway is the perfect combination of natural beauty and recreational activities. And be sure to visit Plymouth Dog Park, where your furry friends can run free!

Jidana Boardwalk Trail – Minnetonka, MN

Address: 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55345

Jidana Boardwalk Trail is a half-mile paved trail taking you through the wetlands of Jidana Park. It provides access to the park and the Minnetonka Community Center, as well as a canoe landing, where you can canoe up Minnehaha Creek. Located near Minnetonka homes for sale, it's a great spot for a picnic, with tables and grills throughout the park. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, there's plenty of wetland vegetation and other natural beauty throughout.

Harriet Alexander Nature Center – Roseville, MN

Address: 2520 Dale St. N., Roseville, MN 55113

There are 52 acres of marsh and forest at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center, with two boardwalks and a walking path for exploring. The Old Boardwalk takes you around the wetlands, while the New Boardwalk goes right over them. There's plenty of wildlife to see, from painted turtles and spring peepers to red foxes and white-tailed deer, not to mention migratory birds such as:

• Red-winged blackbirds
• Green herons
• Pileated woodpecker

Part of Central Park near Roseville homes for sale, they also host special events throughout the year, from the Earth Day Celebration in April to the Wild Rice Festival in September. And don't miss October's Halloween Spook-tacular!

Quaking Bog – Minneapolis, MN

Address: Theodore Wirth Parkway and Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55411

Quaking Bog at Theodore Wirth Regional Park is a delicate 5-acre ecosystem that has undergone extensive restoration efforts to control invasive plants and help native species thrive. The boardwalk through this 5-acre bog includes a floating dockway, which takes you directly across the moat, giving you an up-close view of frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, and more.

What Should You Know Before Visiting Twin Cities Nature Trails?

Where can you find boardwalk trails in the Twin Cities?

Blaine Wetland Sanctuary, Jidana Park, Harriet Alexander Nature Center, and Quaking Bog all offer boardwalk experiences through wetlands, marshes, or other natural areas.

Where can you see wildlife along Twin Cities trails?

Harriet Alexander Nature Center is a particularly good option for wildlife watching, with marsh and forest habitats that attract turtles, deer, birds, and other animals. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary and Quaking Bog also provide opportunities to spot native wildlife.

Which Twin Cities nature trails are good for families?

Blaine Wetland Sanctuary features Walk the Solar System, while Northwest Greenway combines nature trails with recreational features like its Challenge Course. Harriet Alexander Nature Center also offers opportunities for families to learn about local plants, wildlife, and wetland habitats.

Your New Home in the Twin Cities

There are plenty of amazing trails and boardwalks throughout the Twin Cities. Call today to learn more about homes for sale in the area.