About Pig's Eye Park
Pig's Eye Park is located along the Mississippi River, in a section of the river where ecology, landscape, history, culture and institutions combine in a complex and exciting way. The former landfill was remediated and turned into a park featuring a 500-acre lake, hiking trails, and bird watching areas. The park contains one of the largest urban heron and egret rookeries in the Midwest. Many eagles can also be spotted here.
Pig’s Eye Park is a part of the East Side River District, an area of the river that has many shared uses, including Dakota homeland and sacred sites, industry, parks and recreation, and natural areas that serve as a bird migration route.
Amenities
- Hiking trails
- Archery range
Archery Range
The archery range is located at 1200 Warner Rd. The hours are sunrise to sunset from spring to fall. The range has six targets, and one paved, ADA accessible lane with turn-around pads at 10 and 20 yards. Crossbows and broadhead arrows are not allowed. The range is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, or by reservation through the Permit Office.
The archery range is open for the season as of May 8, 2024 and will close in the fall.
Directions
Main Entrance
From the East: From the Great River Road/Hwy 61, take Warner Road west to Childs Road. Exit onto Childs Road, go two blocks, then make a left turn onto Pig's Eye Lake Road where you will cross over three train tracks. Continue to follow Pig's Eye Lake Road for 0.9 miles. You will pass Canadian Pacific Rail (CPKC), followed by a forested area on your left, just before you reach the Pig's Eye Wood Recycling Center. Take the third gravel entrance on the left into the Pig's Eye Wood Recycling Center lot. Go to your right where a gravel road will take you to the main entrance trail head. Park along the gravel road. NOTE: If the gate to the recycling center's third entrance is locked, use the second entrance to the north, or park along the road and walk in.
From the West: Take Shepard Road/Warner Road east from downtown and take the first exit on your right to Childs Road. Go one block, take a left onto Pig's Eye Lake Road, and follow the same instructions above.
North Entrance (Archery Range)
From Warner Road, turn onto Fish Hatchery Road, where you will see a small parking area immediately on the left. You may also park along Fish Hatchery Road. The Minnesota DNR Regional Headquarters & Fish Hatchery is located next to the park. The Sam Morgan Regional Trail/Mississippi River Trail (MRT) also connects here.
South Entrance
There are no designated trails in the south area of Pig's Eye Park. The south area of the park includes much of Eagle Lake. Those who wish to access the south area may take Great River Road/Hwy 61 south to Maxwell Ave and turn right on Red Rock Road. Park along north end of road. The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) connects to Red Rock Road at Maxwell Ave.
