Hay Creek Day Use Area is part of the Richard J. Doer State Forest. My daughter and I are in Red…read moreWing, MN for a few days and this place is my favorite. A trout creek (shallow during my visit) meanders for miles, and we just did some tent camping on state forest land (dispersed allowed) and wading, biking and hiking. You'll probably see deer and other gentler wildlife. It's legal to pick blackberries and nuts. :) There are some really nice paved trails for biking, and dirt trails for mountain biking. For hiking you'll find meandering paths through the woods. I read that this is one of the busier places because it's near Minneapolis (and touristy Red Wing and Mississippi River), but I didn't find it too busy, but not overly secluded either. For getting out and getting exercise and fresh air and getting into nature or escaping life for a while without having to use survival skills, this is a great place. You can download maps at the Department of Natural Resources website (do a search for "Hay Creek" - the Hay Creek area is within the Richard J. Doer State Forest area - there's limitations within the Day Use area). The Red Wing Public Library also has flyers at the entrance that has a rough outline of locations. Nearby is the paved Pioneer Goodhue Trail (paved for biking) which I believe turns into the Hay Creek trail. (Red Wing is very bike friendly.) "Hay Trail Road" is the primary point of access and is a gravel road a few miles long. 305th street and 310th street (or Recrecation Road) aren't marked (unless I missed it). Private and Public property does interrupt each other, signage is weak but exists. Fishing is allowed (we didn't fish), and there's snowmobiling paths. I do believe hunting is allowed in some spots (check the map). Someone official with papers did stop to ask if we were fishing, pleasant man, we weren't - but if you fish or hunt I'd make sure you had a license if required. (My daughter is only 13 so license is not required for her. Personally, the water was waaaay too shallow to fish where we were so the question seemed funny unless I was fishing for minnows.) Creek water was very clear. Unfortunately, I don't have a horse or an RV, but there's stables (Hay Creek Stables) that offer trail rides, and there's definitely a presence of horseback riders here. Everyone I've met around the area has been very friendly. Down the road is the Hay Creek Campground for RVs and horse owners. Very horse friendly area. I called the office, and "dispersed camping" (free camping in non-designated spots) is allowed on State Forest land but not in the Day Use Area, but parking is limited and you need a good map to see boundaries, although there are some signs that say "State Forest Land." It's not bear country, but they do list coyotes. If I had any reason to pass through here again, this would be a definitely "always stop here" place on my map. Unfortunately, it's about 900 miles from home. Oh ya, and it's free! No parking fees!! (Don't expect restrooms or porta-johns though.) Highly recommend for outdoor horseback riding, hiking, biking, and drinking coffee at the creek in the morning.

Empire Fields is pretty much that. Fields. The unique features of this place is the disc golf…read morecourse that weaves near a river/creek and in/out of trees. The course looks fun. There is also a large playground set for children. The paths are open and scenic. If you follow the path and make the correct choices in turns along the way, you will come out at Sachs Park and the surrounding area off of 200th St in Empire. The trails wind through the neighborhoods and is scenic. The paths are all paved.

When I drive by in the summer the park looks very busy as there is plenty of parking room for beach…read moregoers to spread out. This beach is between Prescott and Hastings and has all the amenities you should expect. The rest of the year the area is open and a neat place to just sit around.

Great little beach with clean restrooms, garbage and recycling bins. We go during off times and…read moreit's perfect to enjoy the space when it's a little less crowded and we have space to spread out on the beach. There are plenty of picnic tables, shaded and grass areas if you prefer to stay off the sand.

Well, I'll say this much - it's certainly the best covered bridge I've ever been on. Looking at the…read moreinformation packets later, there are photos of this in the last decade with snow having totally collapsed the roof to be flat - it's wild to see how you can't even tell now. The bridge is all wood, with new supports after being moved around a lot. It was a nice time walking down it. I didn't expect a thrill ride, but I got what I was expecting! It is, historically speaking, pretty neat that they kept it. Great theme for the whole town. The park itself is huge and expansive, tons of space, some amazing trees, a great river, and when we were there, a very nice display of flags for Memorial Day. A genuinely huge park space, and a huge fun-looking castle-themed playground for kids, too.

Minnesota's only remaining functional covered bridge, it has been restored to authentic condition…read more The town lattice truss design spans the Zumbro River. It was completed in November 1869 and sort of looks like a barn. It is 116 feet long and the roadway is 15 feet wide. It is NOT open to vehicular traffic, having been moved about 100 yards from its original location to keep it available for viewing for posterity. You can walk or bicycle across the bridge and see it from both sides. The bridge is the centerpiece of the park and there are restaurants and such nearby. There is parking and several captions that provide history and context. [Review 20718 overall - 130 in Minnesota - round number 1700 of 2023.]

This very well manicured and landscaped park was originally a sand lot between the library and the…read morepost office. Then named Broadway Park, a founding member of the Civic League donated $5000 to finance the development of the park. Today, it includes benches, flowers, fountain, pool and pergola. Limestone sidewalks and granite benches are throughout. At the north end of the park is the Goodhue County Veterans Memorial that honors those who were killed during their military service. There is street parking all around this beautiful park. [Review 21145 overall - 176 in Minnesota - 108 of 2024.]

Situated in the heart of Red Wing, between Main Street and West 3rd, this little park beautifully…read moreshowcases a pool fountain, a pergola, lovely flowers, granite benches on limestone sidewalks, and a Veterans Memorial. The lovely design of the park creates several prime spots for photography such that on any given weekend, you will often see photos shoots in progress there for weddings and proms. It is also not unusual to see political protesters planted near the monument as you drive by on Main Street. The site also includes a USPS Collection Station as the park is located directly across from the post office. ~The Nosy Norwegian Sniffing out park flowers and good deals so that you don't have to.

Now THIS is a classic park, if I've ever seen one! The deathly metal merry-go-rounds, steep slides,…read moreand the oldest, most creepy-eyed spring riders in all the land. On the way to our Ellsworth Creamery dairy feast, we had a blast working up an appetite here. A newer playground set, paired with these classic items made for a lot of fun and curiosity. My kiddos also loved the water fountain shaped like a lion, its head out of which you drink water. Just be aware that bees were swarming it (seemed to have a hive there somewhere nearby). Many climbing toys, basketball hoops, and plenty of green space to run, too. A few covered pavilions and grills for a picnic, making this a fun spot for a gathering with friends and family.

This is a nice park underneath the new Hastings river bridge. If you are not looking for the sign,…read moreyou will miss it. I have been here a few times, if the water levels are high, this area will likely be flooded out. I have been here when it is nice and here when it is flooded. I haven't found hiking trails on the north side but the south side of the river has a paved riverwalk to walk, run or ride your bike on. I also believe that there are bike rentals nearby. Enjoy the 2 photos i took from the south side and the older pictures are from the North side of the river to include when it was flooded. Enjoy.

This is a small neighborhood waterway behind the Park Place development. It has been here for about…read more24 years. It has nice paved trails to bike, walk or walk your dog. It isn't too large. Recently they are adding a new development behind the waterway and they decided to extend Spruce Street right through the waterway. We are told that the area taken away will be replaced and extended out further. I have not seen a plan of the new proposal. They are working on the Spruce St extension now, it should be complete soon. I am hoping the trails will extend further. There is already swamp area and a couple small lakes where people spend time fishing. If you see a small trail that goes off of the paved path, it is likely to a fishing spot. There are fish in the larger lakes and other wildlife. It is planted with prairie grasses and flowers. If you see me and my Puggle running around (by running, I mean out sniffing every tree) be sure to say HI. Enjoy the photos that I have taken over the years. It has a loop that is plowed in the winter also with ice fishing on the lakes. This is a city park with a picnic gazebo and a softball field and playground equipment in a small park across 12th street from this waterway. Enjoy!

This is such a convenient little trail to walk my dogs on, I take them on it once daily, sometimes…read moretwice. They finally got all the big cracks filled (they were pretty large holes in the ground, easy to twist an ankle). I do notice many people walking their dogs without leashes back here, which is not only specifically posted you shouldn't do, but I've had multiple dogs run up to mine, who's quite leash aggressive, and almost created incidents. Also, there are a few places where I've personally seen and smelled kids smoking weed within the woody areas of the path.