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!

Prarie Park is a nice place to spend time with your family. It has everything here. There is a…read moreplayground, half basketball court, a skate ramp, baseball field, soccer field, sand volleyball court, splash pad, picnic tables all around, and covered areas to eat. There's portapotties all around the area, but no actual bathrooms with plumbing or anywhere to change. The splash pad is just water spraying from the ground, there are no fun water tables or anything. The playground is pretty nice and there is a smaller one for smaller kids as well. There is also a fairly big parking lot so finding space should be easy. The park is very nicely maintained, the grass is cut and there's pretty flowers planted everywhere. There's no graffiti on the playground and there's no garbage thrown around.

This place is great! The water is cold in the water park which makes it good to cool off in heat!…read moreThere is a big and small park both for certain ages. There are water things that shoot out of the ground in the splash pad. There is one bucket that dumps on you in the splash pad. There is a soccer field and a gagaball pit! There are also pickleball courts that come WITH SUPPLIES! (Balls and rackets.) There is a full-court for basketball! (Even though it doesn't come with a ball it is still fun to bring a ball!) There is a lot of open space to like throw a football or play a game! There are picnic tables and portapotties! The playground isn't the most fun playground, but because of everything else this is 4 stars!!

On our quest to visit all MN State Parks, this was number 31. We did a 3+ mile hike through lakes,…read morewoods, and prairie. Loved the lookout hill to be able to see the colors highlighted by the sun on a beautiful fall day. Trail was well marked, wide, and well maintained. Watch out for horse droppings as you share the trail. There were quick a few cars in the parking area but we didn't see a ton of people on the trails so nice to be able to spread out. Easy hike for most. Enjoyed the day here.

This is a nice state park to hike. The natural trails are well marked. They had clean bathrooms and…read morea place to refill your water bottle. Fall colors at peak this year were disappointing.

Don't be fooled by swan park - it's basically a back yard to two private homes with a "viewing"…read morearea of the river covered by brush - oh and no swans (maybe the time of year I don't know when they're usually there" but don't waste your time unloading your whole family and dog .....

It place was really cool. If you love swans you will love this place. There are 100s of them. The…read morebest time to come is at 10:30 when the feed them since most of the birds know it and come to this spot every morning. They have a small free parking lot and a bench for viewing. You aren't aloud to bring food to feed them but at 10:30 am the park feeds them and you can watch.

Kids love this Splash Pad they run and play for an hour or more. I as a parent like it because…read morethere is no play ground so I don't have to be two places at once. They also have live music in the summer.

From the owner: Children's splash pad, wedding location & pictures hotspot, Summer Concert Series location.read more

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!

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.

Nice Wright County Regional Park on the bicycle trail. Free park that offers a nice swimming…read morebeach, shelter, picnic tables & grills, sand volleyball court, horseshoes, fishing pier, restrooms, playground, and 1.2 miles of hiking. Clean lake swimming beach with nearby shade.

Maintenance gentleman , Joe,, is very helpful and willing to…read moreassist . Rest room and park are very clean. And neat.

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.

I came here to swim in the lake in May 2023. The air temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the…read morewater was slightly cool but still nice. The water was reasonably clear. Overall it was a great experience!

This was an awesome park! Lots of beautiful, well-maintained trails for hiking. Pretty trees,…read morecreeks, and a really nice lake. It had really nice picnic areas on the beach with BBQ grills, too. Also had some nice primitive camping grounds, too. Also seems very underused...we met almost nobody there!