A prominent landmark in Mendota Heights is Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob: The site overlooks the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and is considered sacred by the Dakota. Public parks and open spaces, two distinct greenways, a par-3 golf course, and seasonal ice rinks also shape the range of local offerings. You can tailor your stay to cultural history, trail profiles, golf, or a weather-dependent winter activity.
Parks and Cultural Significance
Mendota Heights has 17 public parks and additional open spaces. Together, they cover more than 295 acres; the areas listed include Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob. Within the 112-acre site is a 27-acre public land area. The larger site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.
Oheyawahe is considered sacred by the Dakota and overlooks the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. The name can be translated as “a sacred, often-visited place; the place where people go for burials.” Dakota and other Indigenous peoples lived in this area long before the founding of Fort Snelling in 1820. To this day, it remains an important place for the Dakota community and other Indigenous people. Birdwatching is also a popular pastime at Pilot Knob.
Trails and Route Profiles
The Big Rivers Regional Trail is accessible via the Big Rivers Trailhead in Mendota Heights. The trail is nearly flat, paved, and follows a disused railroad line. Farther along its regional route, the scenic regional trail runs along the northern edge of Dakota County from Eagan to Lilydale and offers views of the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.
The River to River Greenway is nearly 8 miles long and connects points along the Mississippi from Lilydale to South St. Paul. A 1.4-mile section runs through Mendota Heights. It was upgraded to meet Dakota County greenway standards, making it safer and easier to ride. A notice dated October 21, 2026, reported that this section is open to the public. The two trails have different highlights: the Big Rivers Regional Trail is defined by its surface and former railroad line, while the River to River Greenway stands out for its local section and cycling improvements.
Golf and Winter Activities
The Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course is a 9-hole course with a par of 27. More than 20,000 rounds of golf are played there each year. Dozens of programs, lessons, and events are also held there, including the Trick-or-Teeing event, which takes place every fall.
The city’s ice rinks are open during the winter months, weather permitting. When conditions are suitable, they are flooded, swept, and maintained by Parks and Recreation and Public Works. If you visit in winter, it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather.
Discover more destinations: Lakeville, Rosemount, Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, Hastings, Apple Valley.
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