Coon Rapids Dam offers a 12-foot-wide paved walkway across the dam connecting two regional parks on either side of the Mississippi River, providing excellent access for cyclists and pedestrians with panoramic river views.

The east side (Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park) features an extensive trail system for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing, shore fishing locations below the dam, and Cenaiko Lake for trout fishing (license required).

Visitor centers on both sides provide amenities including cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, making this a popular recreational hub for the Twin Cities metro area with over 350,000 annual visitors.