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.

I have been going to the park almost daily with my mini schnauzer without any problems. Yesterday,…read morehowever, he was attacked by a pair of large dark colored German Shepards. The owner was able to call his dogs off but Chunk was bitten. He is recovering but anyone with small dogs should be cautious. I will in the future. I really like this park still and will continue to let Chunk play there;he really enjoys running free.

Back in the day I watched 4th of July fireworks here. Now I bring my dog here to their fenced in…read moredog park that goes to the Mississippi River. My dog seems to enjoy running around here and sniffing and meeting other dogs. People must take pride in this dog park as I didn't see any dog crap anywhere. Thanks fellow dog owners for being considerate. Free and small but clean and worth it.

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 always loved this place for the ducks and geese when we would visit in the summer…read more After moving here we learned that it's even better in the winter when it's an ice skating park. Our guests this summer loved it because it has a whole bunch of Pokemon stops and stuff.

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.

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!

Along the Ricori Trail/Glacial Lakes State Trail on the Sauk River. Newer splash pad is near the…read moreplayground area. There is an outdoor auditorium-the John & Rose Alexander Memorial Auditorium. Clean, flushable public restrooms (and water fountain) are available. There were fisherman on both of the river today. Wonderful stop and I can't wait to bicycle here!

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.

I stayed at Glendalough with my girlfriend and some friends last year in the winter time. We…read morestayed for three nights, I think, in one of their spectacular cabins. The cabins are easy to get to, and although there was a ton of snow that year, it was pretty manageable to deal with the cold, and very warm inside. You just pull or push a cart with your gear to the cabins, which aren't more than a half mile or so. The cabins have four bunks, a great table, a bench, and other amenities. They are amazingly cozy and comfortable and can easily accomodate four or more people. We did a bunch of snowshoeing while there and the park is beautiful, even in the winter. Everything was sort of frozen in time and the amount of snow made snowshoeing a real adventure. I fell down a couple times and had to be helped up. Anyway, I would certainly recommend Glendalough any time of year, but their great cabins make for a nice winter getaway as well. There is some neat history and several lakes here also that would be a lot of fun in warmer weather.

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.

Crow wing is a lovely place to get out and connect with nature! There are many hiking and bike…read moretrails. It also is filled with wildlife! You can take a walk through the old town of Crow Wing and learn alot about its past! You can go down and see the Mississippi River while you have a picnic or hotdogs over a fire. The cabin is very rustic but it does not have electricity. Still overall a very nice place!

Excellent day of hiking! Trails are well marked and maintained. Only a small area are paved the…read morerest of the trails are grassy or wooded. Checked in with Ranger Barry Osborne. He was Uber helpful and friendly. We enjoyed the historic markers and learning about the area. Lots of good picnic spots.