One of the prettiest parks in Minnesota. This is a summer must visit! I'm so glad we made a visit!read more

What a beautiful park. Got to visit this beautiful park…read moretoday. There is a preserved flour mill. You can go in and learn about how they used to make flour. The mill sits on the river which is powerful and beautiful. The whole park is lovely taken care of. A play area, fishing, picnic area, and bathrooms.

In my tour of state parks this will be another spot that ranks high on my list. Historic in the…read moresense as it's a good example of how the glacier affected Minnesota topography, as we usually see more examples of the ice age draw back in Wisconsin. There are some quiet scenic campsites and various hiking trails, some open all year, some for horses. The hiking trails are mostly easy with packed down grass and a few rough areas on the hill climbs. From the scenic hills you will see what's left of the Minnesota prairie with wildflowers. The highest elevation is 1352' which in Mn is almost considered a mountain.

For a smaller Minnesota state park, this is a pretty great stop for anyone looking to get out to a…read morepark! While there aren't a million miles of hiking, this park does offer some tremendous lookouts, lots of bird watching, the option to get into the water, and plenty of education on the geography of this place! The rangers were very friendly and we were able to get firewood. Bathrooms were decent and the campsite was splendid. The campsite isn't as secluded or covered as other parks, so be aware that your neighbors will be staring right at ya. Overall, super great park. Easy access to trails and lots to look at and learn. Bring sunglasses and a hat! Not a ton of shade.

This garden is a must-see attraction if you're ever near the St. Cloud area. It looks as if it's…read morestraight out of a fairytale book! There are beautiful fountains, winding walkways, and charming trellises to enjoy - and the best part? It's completely FREE to experience. Munsinger Gardens holds historical significance as one of St. Cloud's most beloved landmarks, with its origins dating back to the 1930s. It has been lovingly maintained to showcase seasonal blooms, peaceful river views, and stunning landscapes that make every visit magical. Whether you're looking for a serene stroll, a romantic photo spot, or just a place to appreciate nature's beauty, this garden delivers!

These gardens are absolutely beautiful! The grounds are so well kept, with many different types of…read moreflowers. There is a cute ice cream shop on-site, and it is right next to the river walk as well. Super close to downtown, access to many restaurants. Lots of street parking which is a quick walk to the location. Great spot to check out with free time!

This park has it all! Lake/beach access, woods and prairie…read moretrails. We camped the middle of October and the campground was full. Can't imagine what it is like in the summer! The sunset over the water was stunning! We even got to witness a flock of grackles migrating!

I loved walking around the many lakes at Lake Carlos State Park. So relaxing after a long day of…read morework. I also heard some loon calls which was pretty magical. Although the trees aren't green in the early spring, there are almost no visitors and you get the park to yourself.

Super nice park/hiking trail that has so many facilities. Park has Softball/Baseball Field…read moreTennis Courts (4) Disc Golf Pickleball Courts (2 fenced) plus on the Basketball Court Basketball Court Volleyball Court (sand court) Horseshoe Pits (2) Bean Bag Toss (2) Children's Playground Equipment (New in 2022) Outhouses Drinking Fountain Numerous Picnic Tables Pollinator Garden in Trails Area. They have a fun hiking trail that has hidden gnomes to find that was so fun to search for them. Would recommend this park to all age ranges because of all the options that are available.

Great spot on the lake to stop and enjoy the view...or play on the playground equipment with the…read morekiddos! No wildcats witnessed on our visit.

Fantastic park right off the lake. Wood structures with plenty of areas for play - even for the…read moreyounger children. A pavilion nearby, plenty of swings. Such a wonderful variety with balance beams and climbing walls. Nooks to hids. Play boat or castle....or dig in the sand and look out at the lake. Just beautiful. The only bad part is the city need to wipe the spider webs off more.

$5 parking (not a state park so passes do not apply)…read more Clean and clear water. You can enter from a latter off the dock, jumping from the rocks, or walking in on the few stretches of shore. Water shoes not a must but I wished I had brought mine. I suggest going early. This is a very popular swimming destination so if you want solitude in nature, this may not be the place for you. Dog friendly! No lifeguard on duty-- jump in at your own risk. I'd definitely go again if I was in the area but I wouldn't necessarily drive from the TC exclusively to swim here.

This review is only regarding the cliff jumping you can do at the park into the water- this review…read moreis not meant to discourage others to go to this beautiful park - just to make people aware of the risks. If you plan to cliff jump - please read!!! I have been to this park many times in my life, and jumped off the high cliff into the water at least half a dozen times. Last Memorial Day, I went with my friends to enjoy the park. I went to the highest cliff jumping spot and I jumped off into the water. I immediately knew something was wrong with my spine when I hit the water as I could barely breathe and my back exploded in pain. As the signs state at the park - you jump at your own risk. It was clear they do not have a protocol for when people get injuries. It took about 10 minutes to get a ranger to come over and help, who did end up calling an ambulance, but they did not offer anything else. They didn't clear the area, and people continued to climb up and jump around me. My friends had to kick me across the whole quarry to get to the shore to get to the ambulance. At the hospital they did an x-ray and a vertebrae in my spine had compressed due to the angle I hit the water and fractured. It was about a 5-month recovery with a back brace full time. If you go for the cliff jumping just be aware that there is a risk jumping into the water, and the risk gets greater the higher you go. All this to say - the park is beautiful and it is still a lovely spot for swimming and hiking. Just know the risks before you go cliff jumping into the water.

One of the more medium sized MN State Parks but had some lovely features. We were here to hike and…read morewe did the hiking club trail. Our visit in the fall provided stunning tree color. The little stream that follows part of the path was slow moving and provided a perfect mirror of the colorful foliage. The bridges across the water provided some great photo ops. You can learn a bit about Mr Lindbergh's life as well from the placards that are found near the trail head. Great stop.

A fairly compact park near Little Falls near the start of the Mississippi River. There are some…read morestructures from the WPA era (1930's) and a few hiking paths. There is a large campsite and trials marked for hiking and for winter sports. There is a boat launch, swimming and plenty of picnic options. The trails aren't titled so be sure to pick up a map in the case outside the main office, which has limited hours only from Friday to Sunday. A highlight on the trip is Charles A Lindbergh landing site in a former farm field of his first plane which he bought used in Georgia and flew home to Little Falls.

The campsite was rather congested with not a large amount of privacy. The hiking itself was fairly…read moremild as we bounced along these glacial lakes and valleys. We brought our pup with us and she enjoyed it too. A great place for a more mild hiking experience, still with nice views.

What a gem! Tented here for two chilly fall nights. There is a nice lake with canoe and kayak…read morerentals, and a nice beach. Trails go around the lake, through the woods, and into the gorgeous rolling prairie hills. The campground isn't huge, which means the park never feels too crowded. I hope to visit again sometime in the summer when I can take better advantage of the lake. It's also only ~2.5 hrs from the Cities, so would also make a nice day destination for some hiking if camping isn't your thing.

We did the Annie Battle Lake hike which had about half of it in a paved path that you share with…read morebikes. We tried to do the Lake Emma Trail loop as well but the bugs completely overwhelmed us and we turned back. The path follows the lake but most of it is in the woods and the lake is not viewable. In the south side there are some nice lookout points. The park has a great rental shop. I wish we would have had more time to take a bike ride or rent a kayak. Lots of park/water toys to choose from.

This relatively new state park in Minnesota is a treasure -- a beautiful example of Minnesota lake…read morecountry with rolling hills, forests, creeks, trails and camping. I hiked a few miles towards the end of the day and saw an eagle swoop down to grab a fish out of the lake. I shot photos of birds that I had not seen before and a young buck hiding in the birch forest. A variety of wild flowers were in bloom. Be warned that you need to apply insect repellent since ticks abound. There are both paved and unpaved path, and it is obvious that the park was well-planned. There is even a cemetery for pets. It's a must visit if you are in the area.