Highland Park Life Along The River

What if your daily walk started on a riverside trail and ended with sunset over the Mississippi? If you’re drawn to water, trees, and a calm neighborhood vibe with city access, Highland Park in St. Paul might be your match. In this guide, you’ll get a feel for riverfront parks and trails, boat launches and bike loops, local recreation, and the types of homes you’ll find near the bluffs. You’ll also learn how the new Highland Bridge development is shaping life along the river. Let’s dive in.

Where Highland Park sits

Highland Park stretches along the Mississippi River in southwest St. Paul, just north of Fort Snelling and across the river from the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. The neighborhood covers about six square miles and has roughly 25,000 residents, according to the Highland Park overview. Its commercial core centers on Highland Village at Ford Parkway and Cleveland Avenue, while the river edge is defined by continuous parkland.

Two anchors shape the neighborhood identity: local schools, including Highland Park Senior High, and Saint Catherine University. Together with the river corridor, they ground the area in a strong sense of place.

Life along the river: parks and trails

Highland Park’s signature asset is its uninterrupted band of riverfront parks and paths. You can step onto a trail for a 20-minute jog, make a day of paddling backwaters, or plan a picnic under mature cottonwoods.

Crosby Farm Regional Park

Crosby Farm Regional Park delivers a classic river experience, with about 6.7 miles of paved trails, picnic areas, fishing spots, and a formal boat launch. It also includes Watergate Marina and connects to neighboring parks along the river corridor. Trail and marina access can shift with seasons and river levels, so it’s smart to check the City park page for updates before you go.

For broader context on the Mississippi river valley here, the National Park Service overview of Crosby Farm highlights habitats, trails, and wildlife you might see year-round.

Hidden Falls and future improvements

Crosby Farm and Hidden Falls function as one connected regional system. The City and partners adopted a comprehensive plan in 2019 that outlines trail upgrades, river-edge habitat restoration, and added canoe and kayak landings. If you like to track how parks evolve, the Hidden Falls–Crosby Farm master plan is a helpful look at what’s coming.

Watergate Marina access

Inside Crosby Farm, Watergate Marina offers seasonal slips, a boat launch, and river services. Even if you’re not boating, it’s a peaceful place to watch towboats and catch a sunset. Check the Crosby Farm park page for seasonal notices tied to river conditions.

Regional connections by trail

From Highland Park, you can ride or run through Crosby Farm and link into regional routes that reach Fort Snelling, Lilydale, and beyond. The master plan maps show how these paths intersect with the Mississippi River trail system, making it easy to build multi-park loops or longer weekend rides to both city centers.

Highland Bridge parks and public spaces

On the former Ford assembly site, Highland Bridge is adding housing, retail, and a sequence of new public parks that extend the neighborhood’s recreation network. Gateway Park is among the first to open, with more green spaces planned as the project builds out. For an at-a-glance view of the redevelopment and park timeline, see the Highland District Council’s Highland Bridge page and the City’s Highland Bridge park design presentation.

Recreation beyond the river

You have more than trails and water.

• Highland National Golf Course. This municipal 18-hole course has practice facilities and a clubhouse, with operations that vary by season and year. Before you book a lesson or plan a Sunday round, confirm current hours and tee times on the Highland National page.
• Community facilities. The neighborhood includes a community center, aquatic center, ice arena, and multiple playgrounds and ballfields. The historic Highland water tower opens for select public viewing dates that offer sweeping views of the city. For family programming and facility links, a local round-up is available via Family Fun Twin Cities.
• Events and festivals. Highland Fest has historically brought music, art, food, and fireworks to Highland Village mid-summer. Dates and formats can change, so check the Highland Business Association for the latest schedule.

Homes and everyday living

Highland Park offers a varied mix of homes that reflect its long timeline of growth. You’ll see early and mid-20th century bungalows and Tudors on tree-lined streets, post-war ranch and Cape Cod styles, and newer condominiums and apartments closer to Highland Bridge. That variety supports different ways of living, from classic single-family homes with yards to low-maintenance condos that put you steps from new parks and retail.

Here’s how daily life can look:

• Weekend paddle and picnic. Launch a kayak or canoe from the boat ramp at Crosby Farm or access Watergate Marina, then settle into a riverside meadow for lunch. Always review City park guidance on seasonal river conditions and parking.
• Weeknight run or ride. Use paved trails in Crosby Farm and Hidden Falls to stitch together 3 to 8 mile loops, with options to roll onto river boulevard routes when you want a change of scenery.
• Sunday golf and brunch. Schedule a municipal tee time at Highland National, then stroll Highland Village for coffee or a relaxed brunch nearby. Confirm tee times and programs with St. Paul Golf.

Getting around

Highland Park sits close to both downtowns and MSP, with straightforward access via Shepard Road, TH-5, and river boulevards. Transit routes serve the main corridors such as Ford Parkway and Cleveland Avenue, and the river trail system expands your options if you prefer to bike for errands or exercise.

Who finds a fit here

If you like the idea of starting your day under a canopy of oaks, hopping on a bike path after work, and being moments from neighborhood coffee and dinner spots, Highland Park is worth a closer look. The blend of established streets, new Highland Bridge amenities, and river access creates a calm, connected way of life.

Ready to explore homes along the river

If Highland Park is on your list, you deserve an advisor who knows the trails, the streets, and the market details behind them. From staging and renovation guidance to pricing strategy and relocation support, I help you move with confidence. Let’s make a plan that fits your timeline and goals. Natasha Cejudo — let’s connect.

FAQs

What makes Highland Park’s riverfront unique in St. Paul?

• Continuous parkland at Crosby Farm and Hidden Falls puts paved trails, fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing right in the neighborhood, as outlined by the City and NPS.

Where can you launch a kayak or canoe in Highland Park?

• Use the formal boat launch at Crosby Farm or access Watergate Marina inside the park, and always check the Crosby Farm page for seasonal conditions.

Is Highland National Golf Course open year-round?

• Operations vary by season and year; confirm current status, tee times, and any winter uses on the Highland National page.

What is Highland Bridge and how will it impact daily life?

• Highland Bridge is the redevelopment of the former Ford site adding homes, parks, and walkable public spaces that extend the neighborhood’s river-edge recreation; see the Highland District Council overview.

Does Highland Park host a summer festival?

• Highland Fest has historically been the midsummer street festival in Highland Village; check the Highland Business Association for current dates and details.

Are there trails that connect Highland Park to other regional destinations?

• Yes, the river corridor links to Fort Snelling, Lilydale, and beyond through regional paths; the Hidden Falls–Crosby Farm master plan outlines these connections.