Sports & Recreation
Biking
Mill Towns Trail features varied terrain and scenery. The trail winds through historic downtown and around the serene Sechler Park, offering views of the Cannon River and the railroad. Northfield also features occasional criterion and road races for both novices and advanced bikers.
milltownstrail.org
Sechler Park Mountain Bike Trail extends along the northwest side of the Cannon River, from the Pedestrian Bridge (near the intersection of Hwys 3 and 19 to Heath Creek near Armstrong Road). The Sechler Park Mountain Bike Trail is a two-way trail, approximately 3.5 miles if all sections are ridden in both directions.
croct.org
Bowling
Flaherty’s Northfield Lanes is a 16 lane, first-class, up-to-date bowling center featuring one of the most advanced automated scoring systems in the industry. A great spot for birthday parties, banquets, and fun for all ages.
1700 Bollenbacher Dr | 507-645-8322 | flahertysnorthfieldlanes.com
Cannon River Wilderness Area
Five miles south of Northfield along Highway 3, this park stretches across 850 acres and nearly 14 miles of wooded river valley. It features a self-guided nature trail and easy access to the Cannon River for your canoe or kayak.
151st St E | 507-332-6105 | co.rice.mn.us
Canoeing & Kayaking
The Cannon River features plenty of good access points and abundant scenery.Canoe and kayak rental and group tours available at The Gear Resource.
201 Railway St N, Dundas | 507-407-4327 | thegearresource.com
Carleton College Cowling Arboretum
880 acres of prairie and woodland adjacent to the Carleton campus. Filled with jogging, biking, and skiing trails, fishing holes, and people of all ages.
apps.carleton.edu
Caron Park
Caron Park is a sixty-acre remnant of the big woods located about nine miles from downtown Northfield in rural Faribault. This lovely park is an excellent environmental study area, with a waterfall, a picnic area, and a 1.5 mile hiking/snowshoe trail.
170th St E | co.rice.mn.us
City Parks
Northfield’s wonderful parks offer playgrounds, softball and soccer fields, picnic facilities, trails and plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family. Picnic shelters can be reserved for large gatherings.
507-645-3050 | ci.northfield.mn.us
Cross-Country Ski Trails / Snowshoeing
Miles of well-groomed trails are available. Try the trails at Cowling Arboretum at Carleton College, River Bend Nature Center or Nerstrand Big Woods. Snowshoes are available for rent at The Gear Resource.
201 Railway St N, Dundas | 507-407-4327 | thegearresource.com
Dog Parks
Let your dogs run and socialize at a park. Northfield has 2 dog parks to let your 4 legged friend roam. One is located South of County Road 1 near the Schilling Drive intersection in nearby Dundas. and the other is at 960 MN-3 S next to Culver’s.
Dundas Dome
The Dundas Dome is capable of hosting a number of sports: soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball, rugby, and football. They have hosted New Years Eve parties, church youth groups, business gatherings, tournaments, cross fit competitions, drone flying, and a community favorite, open domes. The dome is open 6 months of the year from November 1 to April 30th.
Fishing
Fish along the Cannon River for bluegill, bullhead, walleye, northern pike, crappie and smallmouth bass.
Golf
Northfield Golf Club has beautiful oak, maple, pine and birch trees that add majesty to an already classic 18-hole course.
707 Prairie St | 507-645-4026 | northfieldgolfclub.com
Willinger’s Golf Club, with an incredible 74.4 rating, sets the picturesque 18-hole course apart.
6797 Canby Tr | 952-652-2500 | willingersgc.com
Twin Oaks Driving Range offers 25 practice tees.
8391 Hall Ave | 507-663-0833
Ice Skating and Hockey
Indoor open skating is available at the Northfield Arena from November through March. Outdoor facilities can be found at several city parks, Northfield High School and Carleton and St. Olaf colleges.
ci.northfield.mn.us
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Nearly 3,000 acres of wildflowers, wildlife, trails and campgrounds are found just a short drive from Northfield. The park is also the world’s only home for the endangered dwarf trout lily.
9700 170th St E, Nerstrand | 507-333-4840 | dnr.state.mn.us
River Bend Nature Center
Just 14 miles south of Northfield, the River Bend Nature Center encompasses 750 acres and features a variety of public programs, from photography lessons to bird watching tips. The Big Woods Amphitheater is available free of charge and without reservations and can accommodate up to 100 people.
1000 Rustad Rd, Faribault | 507-332-7151 | rbnc.org
Skate Park
Open year round 6am-10pm (per city ordinance).
801 7th St E
Skydiving
Skydiving, gliding and aircraft rental are available at Stanton Airfield, just minutes east of town.
1235 Hwy 19 Blvd, Dennison | 507-645-4030 | stantonairfield.com
Sledding
The St. Olaf Old Main hill has been a sledding tradition in Northfield since the early 1800s; and at Carleton College, the Evans Hall hill is located at the southeast end of the Cowling Arboretum at the end of Second Street.
Snowmobiling
The 42.5 mile Waterford Trail begins at Sechler Park and winds through scenic forests, open fields and pastures. Based in Northfield, the Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club members maintain about 60 miles of trails and groom about 84 miles worth.
facebook.com
Swimming
Northfield Old Memorial Park Pool features a separate toddler pool, zero-depth entry, a 50-meter section, diving board, a half-court basketball area, a climbing wall and plenty of deck and grass space for everyone to enjoy.
801 7th St E | 507-645-1837 | ci.northfield.mn.us
Tennis
Courts are located at Northfield High School, 1400 Division St S, Northfield, 507-663-0630 and at Carleton College and St. Olaf College (with a Community Card). Community Cards are available for purchase at the main office in Tostrud Center. Availability at each court varies.
YMCA
Community Center featuring aquatics center, full-size gymnasium, drop-in child care, an entire second floor of HEalth and Wellness, including indoor track, group exercise studio as well as cardio, free weight and weight machine equipment and locker rooms. Free for Minnesota YMCA members. Day passes available.
1501 Honeylocust Dr | 507-645-0088 | northfieldymca.org
Yoga
HeartWork Yoga Studio offers yoga and barre classes daily and a highly acclaimed yoga teacher training school in our beautiful Northfield, MN studio.
Partners
