Minnesota Coon Rapids
Moving to Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Coon Rapids, Minnesota, offers a blend of suburban comfort and easy access to the cultural and economic opportunities of the Twin Cities. Located along the Mississippi River, it’s known for its parks, trails, and family-friendly neighborhoods that attract those who value community and convenience. The city emphasizes outdoor recreation, with miles of walking and biking paths, riverfront access, and a variety of local sports and nature programs. While most residents commute by car, Coon Rapids benefits from Metro Transit’s Northstar Commuter Rail and growing public transportation options connecting to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The area also enjoys proximity to top schools, shopping centers, and dining, creating a well-rounded quality of life. Overall, Coon Rapids is celebrated for its strong community spirit, natural beauty, and ideal balance between suburban tranquility and metropolitan accessibility.
Coon Rapids by the numbers
City population
Median home price
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Local Experiences
Local Experiences
Coon Rapids, Minnesota, offers a harmonious blend of suburban comfort and easy access to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities along the Mississippi River and surrounding parks. Locals and visitors alike enjoy walking and biking along the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park trails, fishing or kayaking on the Mississippi River, and exploring nearby lakes and green spaces. Local eateries, craft breweries, and community markets reflect the area’s family-friendly, community-focused vibe while connecting residents to the larger Twin Cities culinary and cultural scene. Community events, festivals, and local sports leagues bring neighbors together, showcasing Coon Rapids’ welcoming spirit and suburban charm.
Hiking, Biking & Trails
Coon Rapids boasts an extensive trail system, with over 15 miles of paved walkways connecting residents to natural areas, wildlife, and public parks. The Coon Creek Regional Trail, a scenic 7-mile path, links Bunker Hills and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Parks, offering opportunities for biking, hiking, and outdoor adventures.
Family-Friendly Activities
For families, Bunker Beach Water Park, located within Bunker Hills Regional Park, is Minnesota's largest outdoor water park, featuring a wave pool, water slides, and other attractions. The Coon Rapids Farmers Market offers locally grown produce, crafts, and baked goods, fostering a sense of community and supporting local vendors.
Local Breweries & Dining
Coon Rapids is home to several local breweries, including Alloy Brewing Company, known for its craft beers and outdoor seating. Alloy Brewing Company Elm Creek Brewing offers handcrafted beers accompanied by live music and food trucks. ELM CREEK BREWING CO. Nearby, Forgotten Star Brewing in Fridley provides a historic setting for enjoying locally brewed beers. forgottenstarbrewing.com For dining, Boulevard Bar & Grille offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a diverse menu.
Sports and Recreation
Sports and Recreation
Coon Rapids, Minnesota, is an excellent community for outdoor enthusiasts and those who enjoy an active suburban lifestyle. While the city doesn’t host professional sports teams of its own, residents are just a short drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul, where professional teams like the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves provide plenty of sporting excitement. The area also offers access to collegiate athletics at local universities such as the University of Minnesota.
Beyond organized sports, Coon Rapids shines for its outdoor recreation. The city is situated along the Mississippi River, offering ample opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Regional parks like Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park and Mississippi Gateway Regional Park provide miles of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife observation. Families can enjoy playgrounds, picnic areas, and water activities, while community recreation centers and ice rinks make it easy to stay active year-round, including ice hockey, skating, and indoor sports leagues. With its combination of riverfront adventures, park trails, and local recreational facilities, Coon Rapids encourages residents to make an active lifestyle a part of everyday life.
Traditional Sports & Recreation
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Youth and adult sports leagues (soccer, baseball, hockey)
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Community centers and fitness facilities
College & Professional Sports Access
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Minnesota Twins (MLB), Vikings (NFL), Timberwolves (NBA) within 20–30 minutes
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University of Minnesota and other local college sports
Outdoor Lifestyle & Natural Activities
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Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park – fishing, trails, picnic areas (threeriversparks.org)
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Mississippi Gateway Regional Park – Treetop Trail, river paddling, biking (threeriversparks.org)
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Bunker Hills Regional Park – walking/biking trails, water park (anokacountyparks.com)
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Mississippi River – kayaking, canoeing, and fishing adventures
Adventures
Adventures
Coon Rapids, Minnesota, is a hub for outdoor adventures and family-friendly activities, with easy access to both natural beauty and local cultural experiences. Nature lovers can explore the Mississippi River, hike or bike along scenic trails, and enjoy lush parks throughout the city. For those seeking excitement, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding offer active ways to experience the river, while regional parks provide opportunities for wildlife spotting, disc golf, and outdoor sports. History and local culture can be discovered at nearby museums, community events, and historic sites, making Coon Rapids a destination for both relaxation and adventure. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-packed outing or a peaceful escape, Coon Rapids offers memorable experiences for all ages.
Adventure Sources
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Hiking & Riverfront Trails – Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park & Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
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Scenic Drives & Nature Escapes – Explore the Mississippi River corridor and nearby Anoka County parks
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Kayaking, Canoeing & Biking – Paddle the Mississippi or ride regional trails like Coon Creek and Rush Creek
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Family-Friendly Activities – Bunker Beach Water Park, playgrounds, and local festivals
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Cultural Stops & Local Events – Farmers markets, community concerts, and historic sites around the Twin Cities metro
Seasonal Events
Seasonal Events
Winter (Dec – Feb)
Community Holiday Festivities
Coon Rapids comes alive during the winter season with traditions like the Holiday Tree Lighting at the Civic Center and festive community events featuring Santa, holiday music, and seasonal decorations.
Seasonal Markets & Local Crafts
Local holiday markets and craft fairs offer handmade goods, seasonal treats, and family-friendly activities, spreading warmth throughout the community during the colder months.
Spring (Mar – May)
Tailgate & Farmers Markets
Spring in Coon Rapids blooms with fresh produce, artisan crafts, and local flavors at the Coon Rapids Farmers Market, running weekly from May through October.
Outdoor & Arts Events
Spring also brings community art shows, local craft fairs, and outdoor festivals in nearby parks, celebrating the season with vibrant energy.
Community Resources
Mercy Hospital – Coon Rapids (Allina Health)
Located in Coon Rapids, Mercy Hospital is a full-service, nationally recognized medical center serving the northern Twin Cities metro. It offers a wide range of services including emergency care, maternity services, surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, cancer care, and advanced imaging. Mercy Hospital is a primary healthcare hub for the community and operates 24/7 for emergency services.
Allina Health Mercy Clinics & Specialty Center
Coon Rapids is home to multiple Allina Health clinics providing primary care and specialty services such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, cardiology, orthopedics, and outpatient procedures. These clinics offer coordinated care connected directly to Mercy Hospital, with on-site lab and imaging services available at select locations.
Mercy Specialty Center – Coon Rapids
This specialty center brings together a wide variety of outpatient services under one roof, including surgical consultations, rehabilitation services, specialty physician offices, and diagnostic testing. It serves as a convenient option for residents needing ongoing or specialized care without traveling far.
Urgent & Walk-In Care Options
Coon Rapids residents have access to several urgent care and walk-in clinics through Allina Health and other regional providers. These clinics handle non-emergency illnesses and injuries such as minor fractures, infections, and same-day acute care needs, with extended evening and weekend hours at many locations.
Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy Services
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation services are widely available throughout Coon Rapids, including hospital-based rehab at Mercy Hospital and independent outpatient clinics. These services support recovery from surgery, sports injuries, chronic pain, and mobility challenges.
Nearby Major Medical Centers
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North Memorial Health Hospital (Robbinsdale & Maple Grove) – A short drive from Coon Rapids, offering advanced trauma care, specialty services, and emergency care.
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Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Minneapolis) – A nationally ranked hospital providing highly specialized care, including cardiovascular services, neuroscience, and transplant programs.
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Unity Hospital (Fridley) – Another nearby full-service hospital offering emergency care, surgery, and behavioral health services.
Public Schools
Coon Rapids is primarily served by Anoka-Hennepin School District 11, one of the largest school districts in Minnesota, offering education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district provides a broad range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement (AP), Career and Technical Education (CTE), STEM pathways, special education services, and extensive extracurricular and athletic opportunities.
Elementary Schools
Coon Rapids is home to several elementary schools serving grades K–5, including:
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Coon Rapids Elementary School
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Adams Elementary School
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Hoover Elementary School
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Mississippi Elementary School
These schools focus on foundational academics in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, along with art, music, and physical education.
Middle Schools
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Northdale Middle School (serving grades 6–8)
Northdale Middle School provides a strong transitional curriculum with core academics, exploratory electives, and extracurricular activities designed to prepare students for high school.
High Schools
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Coon Rapids High School (grades 9–12)
Coon Rapids High School offers a wide range of academic pathways, including AP and honors courses, college-credit opportunities, career-focused programs, and robust athletics, arts, and student organizations.
Private & Faith-Based Schools
Families in and around Coon Rapids also have access to a variety of private and faith-based education options:
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St. Stephen’s Catholic School (Anoka) – Serving preschool through 8th grade, offering faith-based education with strong academic foundations.
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St. Patrick Catholic School (Oak Grove) – Provides PK–8 education focused on academic excellence and character development.
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Legacy Christian Academy (Andover) – A private Christian school serving elementary through high school students.
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Totino-Grace High School (Fridley) – A well-known Catholic high school offering college-preparatory academics and extensive extracurricular programs.
Higher Education
Several higher education institutions are conveniently located near Coon Rapids, supporting both traditional students and adult learners:
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Located in nearby Coon Rapids and Anoka, Anoka-Ramsey offers associate degrees, transfer pathways to four-year universities, technical programs, and workforce training.
Bethel University
Situated in Arden Hills, approximately 15 miles from Coon Rapids, Bethel University is a private Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Located about 20 miles south of Coon Rapids, the University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across numerous disciplines.
Here’s an overview of regional services and agencies in and around Coon Rapids, MN, encompassing public safety, weather, and transportation:
Public Safety & Emergency Services
Coon Rapids Police Department
The Coon Rapids Police Department provides local law enforcement services within the city, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, community outreach, and school resource officer programs.
Anoka County Sheriff’s Office
The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office supports regional law enforcement and public safety efforts throughout Anoka County, including jail operations, emergency management, and specialized enforcement units.
Anoka County Emergency Communications (911)
Anoka County Emergency Communications serves as the central 911 dispatch center for Coon Rapids and surrounding communities, coordinating police, fire, and emergency medical services across the county.
Weather & Climate
Coon Rapids experiences a four-season Midwestern climate:
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Winter: Cold and snowy, with average highs around 23°F in January. Snowfall is common from December through March.
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Spring: Cool to mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s in March to the low 60s by May.
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Summer: Warm and humid, with average highs around 82°F in July.
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Fall: Crisp and cool, with temperatures averaging 60°F in September and dropping into the 40s by late October.
Annual precipitation averages approximately 30 inches, with 45–55 inches of snowfall each year.
Transportation & Transit
Metro Transit
Metro Transit provides regional bus service connecting Coon Rapids to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding suburbs. Express and local routes serve major corridors, making commuting throughout the Twin Cities accessible.
Northstar Commuter Rail
The Northstar Line offers commuter rail service between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis, with a nearby station in Coon Rapids–Riverdale, providing a convenient option for daily commuters.
Roadway Access
Coon Rapids is well-connected by major highways, including U.S. Highway 10, Highway 47, and Interstate 94, offering easy access to the greater Twin Cities metro area.
Active Transportation
The city maintains an extensive network of trails and bike paths, including access to the Mississippi River Regional Trail, supporting walking, biking, and outdoor recreation-based commuting.
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This city guide is provided as a service by Atlas Van Lines.