We did a quick walk down to the falls. It was impressive and pretty. There were a few people around…read moreso I didn't get the greatest nature only picture but it was worth the 100+ steps down and back and only took maybe about 15 minutes.

So beautiful. Worth the stop. You can either make a quick…read moretrip down the stairs or take the trails. The waterfall has a picnic area for family to hang out. Keep it clean cause it is so beautiful. You can get up behind the falls or play in it.

New park in the Lexington Woods Addition off of Lexington Avenue in Blaine. The parking lot (off…read more131st Ave) is complete-including painting. This playground can boast the new Quantas 8.2 playground equipment-which the kids like. Adaptive equipment, lots of benches, shaded areas, parking lot/bike rack, as well as a porta-potty.

We went here on a field trip and we had an amazing time. The park is well kept. the park has many…read moreoptions for everyone. Very spacious, even a field for soccer if you want to play a little.

Brand new park!! Wow nice job Hugo Lions club. Something for all. Accessible areas, love the…read morecushion base no rocks or wood chips. Our grandson just loved it. Stop by and check it out.

Banning State Park was one of our favorite outdoor stops during our Hinckley getaway. The park is…read moreknown for its scenic hiking trails, sandstone cliffs, and the views of the Kettle River, making it a great place to spend a few hours exploring. Our goal was to find the waterfall, but like many first-time visitors, we ended up taking a wrong turn and wandered a little longer than expected. Honestly, it turned into part of the adventure. As we explored, we spotted deer quietly moving, squirrels darting between the trees, and plenty of birds and caterpillars along the way. We discovered quiet trails, beautiful overlooks, and peaceful stretches of the river that we might have missed if we'd gone straight to our destination. The sound of the water, the surrounding rock formations, and the forest scenery made it one of those places where you naturally want to stop and take it all in. If you're visiting Banning State Park for the first time, don't stress if you get a little turned around. Give yourself extra time, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy the journey.

This is a beautiful state park that offers so many opportunities to commune with nature. Lush…read moretrails, flowers native to shorelines and wet soils, and a waterfall are among some of the many joys here. It is located off I-35 near Sandstone, and 90 miles away from the Twin Cities (about an hour and a half away). It is worth making a day trip to visit. The park stretches along 10 miles of the Kettle River, and has 1.5 miles of churning class IV rapids for those daring kayakers.

Trying to be more intentional about exploring parks around Minneapolis this year, and Hidden Falls…read moreseemed like the perfect place to start. We usually default to Minnehaha Falls across the river, but I'd never actually explored this side--which looks to be really sprawling with new townhomes and modular single family homes. We parked near the dam and walked along the trail to reach the stairs leading down to Hidden Falls. Heads up: the walk down is a little precarious since there's no railing for most of the stairs, but it's not very steep and the trek itself is pretty short. The falls themselves were a bit disappointing at the moment--more of a trickle than a waterfall--but it is early in the season. That said, the forested park area it winds through was really nice, and made the visit worth it regardless. I can already tell this place is probably stunning in the summer when everything is green and flowing! Even with the lower water level, it was a great way to explore somewhere new and great to see there were so many people already exploring the park with it being chilly still!

Beautiful park near the city. Grabbed some take out and found an empty picnic table in the middle…read moreof the day - lots of parking! Watched a few boats launch, saw some geese, enjoyed watching people along the shore. Picnic tables near the water at the North Entrance. Check it out!

Tranquil hike with moderate trails. Keep in mind though that the paved path down to the falls is…read moreVERY steep and wasn't very accessible. We went on a busy day and even then, the park never felt over-crowded. Park entry is around $16 and you can get a pass online in advance.

We wanted a spot that offered outdoor fun with a nearby city for lunch, and this park delivered!…read moreIt's huge.... offering hiking, camping, biking, swimming, and even skiing in the winter. There's always something to do no matter the season. Parking is $8, and on busy days you might wait a few minutes, but it's worth it. At the entrance, you'll get a helpful map (also available online) that shows all the trails and recreation options. We parked near the boat launch and took the 1.5-mile loop to the waterfall, a beautiful, family-friendly walk with no complaints from the kids! The waterfall itself is stunning. We kicked off our shoes, dipped our feet in the cool water, and climbed around the rocks above the falls. There are more challenging hikes if you're feeling adventurous, and it's only about 10 minutes to great Hudson riverfront dining afterward. We left smiling and saying, "That was so fun maybe we should get an annual pass!

It is Probably the smallest pork I've ever seen, but I've been coming here since I was little, so I…read morehave a lot of Nostalgia for this park. Things are in generally good condition, But some things can be iffy. The park also has a creek, which is good fun for minnow fishing.

Two acres of nice park along Highway 63, built by volunteers 1987. It has a non-functional…read morerotating Dutch windmill, playground, bathrooms, picnic tables, trees for shade on sunny days, grassy field, a creek running through it. It appears CLEAN and well cared for-the flowers are cared for and the bathrooms clean. It's a welcome place to stop. Psst...there's a secret bench hidden in the trees, surrounded by hostas-be sure to check it out!

I'll give this park 4 stars due to the large fenced area for the dog park, the picnic shelter,…read morerestrooms, small beach and the usually quiet wooded area. The parking lot is also large and there are hiking trails as well.

We bring our dogs here all the time. There is so much potential for this place. I wish North Branch…read morewould invest more into it. It is a great park regardless though.

Well, this was a surprise. Fabulous indoor park for kids, the grands had to be literally dragged…read moreout. Climbing, slides, tubes, giant Legos. And only a $10 admission for the park only. (There is a pool on the premises but it is not a water park-type of pool experience.) Lots of parking outside and places for guardians to wait inside. Tons of kids of all ages and I noticed that the older kids were very gentle and caring for the littles. It was nice to see. Bring your own snacks and water. There is a robotic vending machine for $4 water the kids loved. Great for a rainy or snowy day. Follow it up with a visit to Dave and Buster's down the road at Southdale. (That's how we got them to leave!)

This place is AWESOME! I decided to get my boys (9,5) out of the house and they had a blast! They…read morehave already been asking when we can go back! There is free parking. Walk in and pay the fee for the kiddos. As of Jan 2026 it was $10 a kid with unlimited time. Parents/guardians are free. There is a large park towards the end of the building! It kept my kiddos plenty busy! There is seating for the adults. There is also a gym space for kids to run, balls to play with, mini basketball hoops and items for the little kids to push ride on! There is also a pool to do laps and a gym with equipment, but I'm unsure if those cost extra. You can do birthday parties here! Check the website for additional information!! They do have 2 spots where you can get snacks and picnic tables to eat! Overall this was a very solid experience and we will happily be back!