Minnetrista is surrounded by the western bays of Lake Minnetonka. Commuters have access to the Twin Cities via Highway 12 to the north and Highway 7 to the south. Downtown Minneapolis is 35 miles to the east.

Minnetrista is primarily a residential community. Most of the area attractions are rural type activities such as commercial horse stables, apple orchards and scenic trails. Lake Minnetonka Regional Park opened in 1997 showcasing an array of recreational, natural, cultural and historical amenities. The 292-acre park features picnic areas, a visitor center, fishing pier, boat launch and a unique 1.75 acre upland swimming pond with chlorinated lake water and an accessible swimming ramp. Residents of Hunters Crest will find most of their local shopping, medical, and schools in nearby Waconia. 

Waconia, located only a few minutes from Hunter's Crest, offers small town ambience with big city services. Ridgeview Medical Center, an independent, full-service, acute-care hospital and the heart of a regional network that includes neighborhood clinics, emergency facilities, and specialty programs and services. The Lake Waconia Sailing Club is an open sailing club boasting Nacra, Prindle, and Hobie catamarans. Historic Downtown Waconia offers a variety of shopping, from antique shops to grocery stores. District 110 offers K-12 public education (www.waconia.k12.mn.us). There are also a number of private school options, including Saint Josephs and Trinity Lutheran. For more information on the Waconia community, go to www.waconia.org

At the heart of the 3,300-acre Carver Park Reserve, located just west of Chanhassen, is Lowry Nature Center. Designed for adults, school children and families, the nature center offers programs on such topics as bird banding, maple syrup-making, pond studies, winter survival, star gazing and more. A 1,700-foot boardwalk winds through marsh and tamarack swamps, while wood-chipped trails through woods allow visitors to observe deer, raptors, beaver, otters, butterflies, trumpeter swans and osprey. For more information, go to www.hennepinparks.org/parks/carver.htm