Winter, Fully Lived: Anoka County Parks Unveils a February Lineup That Marries Movement, Learning, and Access

In a season often defined by endurance, Anoka County Parks is offering something more expansive. Its February 2026 winter programming turns cold months into a canvas for motion, curiosity, and inclusion, pairing guided outdoor recreation with environmental education and adaptive access across the county’s 11,500-acre park system.

Managed by the Parks Communications team under Nicole Greenwell, the schedule reflects a deliberate philosophy. Winter is not a pause but a place. The county’s approach centers activity in three primary hubs, each chosen for what it does best.

At Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes, tucked within the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, programs emphasize low-impact exploration and learning. Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids and Andover anchors winter sport, with extensive groomed trails and on-site instruction. The Coon Rapids Dam Visitor Center serves as a scenic gateway and a key location for equipment rentals and river corridor access.

From First Tracks to Shared Stories

Snowshoeing opens the month with the Snowshoe Shuffle on Saturday, February 7, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Wargo Nature Center. Designed for all ages, the guided outing introduces participants to winter travel while moving through wooded trails shaped by snowfall and silence. Snowshoe rentals are available at Wargo, the Coon Rapids Dam Visitor Center, and the Bunker Hills Activities Center when snow depth allows.

For those looking to build skill and stamina, Learn to Cross-Country Ski sessions take place at Bunker Hills Regional Park on February 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and February 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. Open to ages 13 and older, the classes focus on classic technique. Instruction and equipment are included, lowering the barrier for newcomers to one of Minnesota’s most enduring winter sports.

Reading the Winter Landscape

Not all winter movement leaves obvious footprints. Winter Wildlife Tracking, scheduled for February 21 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Wargo Nature Center, invites participants ages 16 and older to learn how animals move through cold months. Led by trained naturalists, the program teaches how to interpret tracks, trails, and other subtle signs that reveal where wildlife travels, feeds, and shelters when temperatures drop.

Learning Begins Early

February’s calendar also leans into early childhood environmental literacy. Once Upon a Story Time: Animal Homes on Tuesday, February 3, from 9 to 10 a.m., introduces young children to winter habitats through storytelling and hands-on discovery. Nature Play: Birds follows on Thursday, February 5, also from 9 to 10 a.m., blending movement and observation for ages 2 to 5.

For older participants, Lunch with a Naturalist: Crows on Wednesday, February 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., offers a deeper look at one of winter’s most visible and misunderstood species, pairing discussion with seasonal observation.

Designed for Access

A defining feature of the February schedule is its adaptive programming. Adaptive Snowshoeing on Sunday, February 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wargo Nature Center, and Adaptive Cross-Country Skiing on Wednesday, February 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bunker Hills Campground Visitor Center, are open to participants ages 5 and older. Both programs are designed for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities and their families, reinforcing the county’s commitment to inclusive recreation.

What to Know Before You Go

Motorized vehicles entering Anoka County regional parks require a vehicle entry permit. For 2026, permits cost $7 per day or $30 for an annual pass, with free vehicle entry offered on the second Tuesday of each month. Equipment rentals are available at Wargo, Coon Rapids Dam, and Bunker Hills, with snowshoe rentals typically priced at $5 for two hours, subject to sufficient snow cover.

While instructional ski programs include equipment, independent skiers on groomed trails must carry the appropriate state ski pass where required.

Registration and Information

Advance registration is required for both free and paid programs. Full details and sign-up are available at anokacountyparks.com.

For questions, residents may contact Nicole Greenwell, Parks Communications Supervisor, at 763-324-3300 or nicole.greenwell@anokacountymn.gov.

In February, Anoka County Parks is not asking residents to simply endure winter. It is inviting them to inhabit it, deliberately, actively, and together.

MinneapoliMedia