Wondering where to rent kicksleds in the Midwest? The sport of kicksledding is growing throughout the USA, especially in Minnesota, home to Brave The Snow. If these locations aren’t convenient, you aren’t out of luck. Oftentimes, pop-up events occur throughout winter at local nature centers. Want to try kicksledding but don’t see a local option? Reach out to your nearest nature center or state park. Your interest could inspire them to offer kicksled rentals.

Trying kicksledding is the first step to falling in love with this fun winter sport! Here are 8 nature centers and parks currently offering winter kicksled rentals:

Minnesota Kicksled Rentals

Eagan, Minnesota
Lebanon Hills 

Cost: $5 per hour

At Lebanon Hills you can try some old school, wooden runner kicksleds that resemble a dog sled. While these all wood sleds might not provide quite as much speed on the trails, they are fun for cruising around Shultz Lake. They have a fleet of 10 sleds that can be reserved in advance online which is a plus. They can be picked up at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.

St Louis Park, Minnesota
WestWood Hills

Cost: $5 per hour

Rent a kicksled at West Wood HIlls, a 160-acre area featuring marsh, woods and prairie. Check out March Trail, a 1.5 mile loop around Westwood Lake. Rentals are only for use at Westwood Hills.

Lino Lakes, Minnesota
Wargo Nature Center

Cost: $5 per 2 hours

Kicksled through wooded trails at Wargo Nature Center. Or explore George Watch Lake, a part of the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, on your kicksled.

Edina, Minnesota
Centennial Lakes Park

Cost: $8 per hour

Try a kicksled at Centennial Lakes Park which features a 10-acre lake that is groomed daily for ice skating. The area contains three main ponds connected by canals. This natural rink gives kicksledders a chance to sled on a fun kicksledding surfaces: pure ice. The kicksleds are not in the best condition as most people use them as an ice skating assist. If you want to try a kicksled on snow packed trails, trying another place is recommended. They do have a nice warming house and also rent ice skates. A great place to take your KickSpark if you have Ice Blade Runners!

Hours are 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sun– Fri and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sat.

Open mid December through mid February.

West St. Paul, Minnesota
Dodge Nature Center

Sign-up for a kicksledding class at Dodge Nature Center. While hourly rentals aren’t currently offered, classes and special events such as the annual winter Festival provide opportunities to try out kicksledding.

Spicer, Minnesota
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

Cost: daily rental $10 members; $20 nonmembers; $5 students (pre-k through college)

Prairie Woods has about 10km of trails. They are groomed for cross country skiing but are multi-use trails. Rent your kicksled and stay to the untracked edge of the trails. Check out the Kemp Trail and Elmers Trail near the main building. These are prairie trails that have some nice gentle hills. Try Reese, Beaver Street, Forstroms, and Marys Trail for more of a challenge. These trails are wooded which offer protection on breezy winter days.

Duluth, Minnesota
Hartley Nature Center

Cost: $10 for half day, includes studded boots.

Hartley has four kicksleds for rent, two adult and two youth. Free studded boots are included in your rental. These boots will give you more kicking power, helping your kicksled to move faster on the trails. Begin on an easy trail such as Rock Knob Trail or Tunnel Trail that meanders past Hartley Lake. Also, the Superior Hiking Trail passes through this park.

Advanced reservations are required. 218-724-6735 Kicksleds must stay on park grounds. 

Victoria, Minnesota
Lowry Nature Center at Carver Park Reserve

$5 per session (1-2 hours)

Reserve a kicksled online during an open rink day at Lowry Nature Center and cruise your sled on the ice skating rink.

If you try it and love it, check out our kicksled selection so you can explore more trails on your own. Or just learn more about this fun sport!