The playground could use some updates, but cute concept. The kids seem to really enjoy it, but just…read moregetting a bit old. There is a bandshell and music in the park event in the summer which is a great community event. You can also launch your boats into the lake. The area near the serpent statue no dogs allowed which is a bummer. Skate park and police station all in the same area.

Beautiful park! Super clean and fun! We were visiting from out of town, and this place didn't…read moredisappoint.

My family and I stopped by this park while on vacation in the area in March 2024. We were thrilled…read moreto see there are hiking trails as well as the fire tower, plus there are a lot of interesting things to read about the tower history and fire history in the area. The whole park is nice - clean, well kept, both paved trails and gravel lined trails, well-built steps, and quality railings where steps are located. There is a paved trail that goes to the tower, as well as an unpaved trail that is a good uphill climb. The tower looks neat, and we would have loved to climb it, but it was closed. There is a big fence with a locked door around it. This was a bummer for me - the websites that I found describing the park had said that the park was open year-round, which I (wrongly) thought included the tower. I do understand - it is an unseasonably warm winter, and most people aren't going hiking or climbing giant towers in March. I was just disappointed. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our time there - both the hiking and learning about fire safety in the area.

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.

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.

This is a very interesting nature center. They have several hiking trails in beautiful forests…read more They have a nice visitor center with a gift shop. There is a bunkhouse for youth camps. They do a lot of educational events. Busses of kids are coming and going every day education of nature and wildlife.

One of the smaller state parks we've visited. A short 1-2 mile hike is mostly flat with some lovely…read morelake and river views. Lots of white pines, which apparently are tasty to deer, hence the restoration area. It was fun to see the not-so-mighty Mississippi. Very different looking from where I grew up in southern MN.

This 224 acre park east of Grand Rapids is one of the smaller in the state system. There is easy…read morehiking in a circle of the park with many tall pines. The park borders the shore of the Mississippi River with many picnic spots. Camping seems to be the bigger attraction with ample camping spots including a large group camp site. The camp sites are rustic so don't expect a hot shower room or flushing toilet. For more adventure you could also canoe-in to a site. A dock and boat launch round out the activities. There is no trail office only a self-service kiosk.

The Pelican Lake Conservation Club is a local organization dedicated to improve the lake,…read moresurrounding area, and its community members. If you live in the area please join the club, it's only a few dollars a year and all of the cool kids are doing it. Well maybe not "kids" as the average member age is about 65, but please don't let that stop you as everyone is very inviting, fun, and young at heart. If you are visiting the area stop by and take a walk on the nature trails or use the kids playground (both open to the public) and on the second Saturday of each month they host the most amazing pancake breakfasts complete with sausage, egg bake, biscuits and gravy, coffee and juice for only $7. They also serve dinners once each month, and conduct the bar bingo and pull tabs at several of the local bars to raise money for other organizations in the community. This is truly a wonderful organization and I am proud to be a member! TIP: If you a member living in the area they have offer free composting area for your grass clippings.

We are on a quest to visit all MN State Parks. This park is focused on off road cycling and it's…read moreamazing. We are hikers so we opted for parking in the lot and walking up the road to the lookout point for a short 1+ mile hike. It was a beautiful walk. You can also drive to the top. Hikers are not allowed on the bike trails. The trails for bikes are at all levels from 'easy for a 10 year old' to 'omg, you better know what you are doing or you could get very hurt'. What a cool opportunity for cyclists in MN. A local told me it was named for the founder and his dog Una. Equally cool.

100' doesn't seem that bad until you climb it and you get above the trees and the wind starts to…read morehit you. It is a nice tower and I've been to the top a couple times but I can tell I'm getting older and this time it seemed way scarier!!! But I made it to the top and survived to tell about it!! Lol

Ok if you are afraid of heights then do not recommend, but if you want something to do then this is…read morejust right for you and the family, when you are done go to the visitor center and get your certificate card