Today the bottomlands of the river confluence boast a floodplain forest of cottonwood, silver maple, green ash, wood nettle, jewelweed, and willow.

Abundant wildlife includes white-tailed deer, fox, woodchuck, badger, skunk, turkey, and coyote.

[2] The soldiers from Fort Snelling had gardens, livestock, bakery, and boat storage sheds in the low river valley.

While there was widespread support for preserving the old fortifications, some local landowners were not enthused about plans to purchase additional lands, claiming that the price the government proposed to pay was not adequate.

On the last day of the 1961 legislative session, a $65,000 appropriation was made and the park's boundaries were set (on a much smaller scale than can be seen today) so as to acquire the federal land.

On October 29, the federal government donated 320 acres (1.3 km2) of land, including portions of the fort, to the State of Minnesota under the 1944 Surplus Property Act.

Old plans were found in the National Archives and the state legislature granted regular appropriations to fund the project until 1979.

Limestone to match the original building material was taken from lands owned by the City of Saint Paul and the Webb Publishing Company.

Structures including walls, the round tower, barracks, the commandant's house, gatehouse, magazine, school, and others were either restored or rebuilt to 19th-century condition.