Recreation & Leisure
City Parks
Nature Areas
Golf
Sports and Other Pursuits
City Parks
Ames Park and Riverside Commons - Water Street
As
you stroll along the scenic Cannon River, you will notice the impressive
19th-century downtown historic district. Stroll over the pedestrian
bridge linking the shops on the east side to those on the west side
of the river. In the evening, find a comfortable perch and watch the
sun set.
Central Park - Fourth and Winona Streets
Situated near downtown Northfield, this park is a wonderful gathering place with benches and a playground. Mature trees create a lovely canopy.
Bridge Square - Division Street
Located in the middle of historic downtown Northfield, it is a place
for many community events
throughout the year,
especially during summer. It's hard to resist the bubbling fountain and aroma coming from the historic popcorn wagon that sits on the square.
Riverside Lions Park - South Highway 3
With a lovely view of the Cannon River on the north,this park has 21 scenic acres along the river, a playground and sheltered picnic facility.The picnic shelter can be reserved for large gatherings by contactingthe City of Northfield at 507-645-3050.
Odd Fellows Park - Forest Avenue
There are 20 pleasant acres for
your enjoyment, including a picnic shelter, playground, pavilion and nature area. The picnic shelter can be reserved for large gatherings by contacting the City of Northfield at 507-645-3050. The park is conveniently located just of State Highway 19.
Babcock Park - South Highway 3
There are 29 inviting acres for you to enjoy, including playgrounds, picnic facilities, softball fields, nature area and horseshoes.
Sechler Park - Armstrong Road
Come and discover this park’s delightful 150 acres, which include a playground, sheltered picnic facilities, baseball, softball and soccer fields, nature area and trails, and a bike trail. The picnic shelters can be reserved for large gatherings by contacting the City of Northfield at 507-645-3050.
Nature Areas
Carleton Arboretum
The
Carleton Arboretum has 800 acres of secluded woods and trails through
local hills and along the scenic Cannon River valley. Enjoy walking,
hiking, cross-country skiing, nature observation and an exercise trail.
For more information, visit Carleton
Arboretum .
Cannon River Wilderness Area
Highway 3 (South five miles.)
The Cannon River Wilderness Area is a county park with 850 acres of wooded river valley, hiking trails, cross-country ski trails and picnic areas. For more information, visit www.co.rice.mn.us/parks/cannon.php.
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
State Highway 246 (South 11
miles.)
This jewel has many secluded areas. Explore the falls, the campsites, picnic grounds, hiking trails, snowmobile trails, cross-country ski trails and snowshoe trails. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/nerstrand_big_woods.
River Bend Nature Center
Faribault, Minnesota
Located 15 miles south of Northfield, River Bend Nature Center offers numerous public programs, manages trails for outdoor exploration and protects critical natural resources. For more information, visit www.rbnc.org.
The Science Center at Maltby Nature Preserve
Randolph, Minnesota
Located between Northfield and Cannon Falls, the Nature Preserve is a 90-acre wildlife sanctuary. In this unique natural setting, The Science Center provides innovative, P-12 inquiry based science programs. For more information, visit www.thesciencecentermnp.org
Golf
Local and Regional Courses
Opportunities
and places to golf are numerous in around Northfield. Along with two
fine courses located in the immediate area – the Northfield Golf
Club and Willinger’s Golf Club – a handful of courses are
no more than a 30-minute drive. Northfield also has a convenient driving
range.
Northfield Gold Club
Prairie and Seventh Streets
507-645-4026
Willinger’s
Golf Club
6900 Canby Trail
952-652-2500
Summit Golf Club
Cannon Falls
507-263-4648
Cannon Golf Club
Cannon Falls
507-263-3126
Legacy Golf Course
Faribault
507-332-7177
Legends Golf Club
Prior Lake
952-226-4777
Driving Ranges
Twin Oaks Driving
Range
8391 Hall Avenue
Northfield, Minnesota
Sports and Other Pursuits
Tennis
Outdoor courts are available at Northfield Senior High School and at Carleton and St. Olaf colleges.
Swimming
Enjoy the new public facility located at East Fifth and Elm Streets. For more information visit www.ci.northfield.mn.us/parksandrec/pool , or call 507-645-8579.
Biking
Enjoy recreational biking
throughout the city and picturesque countryside. A new bike path, the
Mill Towns Trail, runs
from Sechler Park in Northfield to Dundas. There are occasional criterium
races and frequent road races through Northfield, for both novices and
advanced bikers of all ages. Come and participate in the annual Jesse
James Bike Tour in September.
Bowling
Jesse James Lanes, 1700 South Highway 3, provides many hours for open bowling and is one of the most up-to-date bowling centers in the upper Midwest. For more information, call 507-645-8322.
Canoeing/Kayaking
The Cannon River, a good day-trip river, flows gently through a valley with rolling hills that change to bluffs along the route. The scenery includes heavy woods, underbrush and farmland views.
Cross-Country Skiing
The Carleton Arboretum has
a 14.5-kilometer, intermediate-level trail follows the scenic Canon
River. Enjoy River Bend Nature Center's terrain with its forest, marshes,
ponds and prairies; its 13 kilometers of trails are mostly intermediate
with a few expert trails. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park also has 13
kilometers of well-groomed trails.
Downhill Skiing
Afton Alps, Welch Village and Buck Hill are all within approximately 30 minutes of Northfield and are fully equipped with novice to expert runs, lifts, rental shops and chalets.
Fishing
Fish
along the Cannon River
for bluegills, bullheads, walleyes, northern pike, crappies,
small mouth bass and even carp.
Ice Skating and Hockey
Indoor open skating is available at the Northfield Arena, South Highway 3, from November through March. Outdoor facilities include five well-maintained rinks in scenic city parks, at Northfield High School and at the colleges.
Running
Enjoy the quiet streets, country lanes or our scenic 5K and 10K trails along the Cannon River, where you will find a large core of regular runners. You are welcome at community and college tracks. Get ready to run in at least one the Northfield 's signature races. The Defeat of Jesse James Days Celebration, the weekend following Labor Day, offers 5K and 15K runs.
Sky Diving
Skydiving, gliding and aircraft rental are close by at Stanton Airfield, eight miles east of Northfield on Highway 19.
Snowmobiling
The Waterford Trail starts
in Sechler Park. There are 42.5 miles that wind through forests, open
fields and pastures. It connects with the Snow-Go, Dakota, LeSueur County
and Lakeville trails to the north and west, and Kenyon-Zumbrota and
Faribault trails to the east and south. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
has a varied terrain with five miles of trails.
Spectator Sports
Northfield High School and
Carleton and St. Olaf colleges welcome you as spectators at their sporting
events throughout the academic years. Both colleges are members of the
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Cheer on all our athletes
in men's and women's sports, including basketball, volleyball, football,
baseball, softball, soccer, rugby, tennis, track and hockey.
