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!

We stopped here to do some geocaches and to check out the view of the St Croix River from the land…read more The day before we had boated by and saw the park from the river. The park does have a nice overlook down to the river and you can walk the path down to the beaches at the river level. If you have a boat you can tie-up here though I don't know it you can camp overnight in your boat. The park did not appear to have a campground though it did have a number of hiking trails. No surprise that this time of year also attracts lots of mosquitoes! Overall an OK state park.

This is a park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River. We have been here in the summer which…read morewas nice. It is completely different in the winter. The trail down to the river is very steep. It is a long climb up. The river when it was frozen allows you to walk along the swampy area and see several bald eagle. It was also very quiet and peaceful.

A rather plain looking park. There is a large office which apparently is open all year. There are…read moreplenty of picnic tables protected from rain. Not much for hiking as there are a few trails that are not scenic. The main reason for the bland look is a lack of trees. Here we go again for a regional park. Wide open areas with crew cut grass which just burns in the sun all summer. There is a small patch of prairie grass which they more of, or else plant some trees.

Washington County Regional Park on the St. Croix River with a nice campground and some nice trees…read moreand picnic areas. From the size of the boat parking lot, I would guess that this is a main boat launch. Not a fancy beach, Rocky and a little weedy, but swimming river water felt great.

What a great spot for our afternoon family outing kids 4- years old and adults. Interesting and…read moreeducational nature displays inside of the building included live frog, toad, snake and turtle and a 2 D display of local watershed. Outside is woodland with trails and a patio with table and chairs. We were here in early fall but it would be great any time of year. It is very accessible for wheelchairs and those who may have other physical challenges or just move slowly due to age. We will return for other seasons. Oh, it's all free to the public. A party room/ meeting space is available inside.

Abby who came to Stillwater library & hosted "amazing adaptations " did an amazing job! She was…read moreenergetic, well educated & good with the kids. You can tell she is passionate in what she does. She sure kept me engaged & interested when she spoke. Maybe even more than the kids Thanks, this is a great idea to travel to different locations to educate ppl. Come to Woodbury or Lakeland next!

This is probably not a destination park, but if you find yourself near Hastings with the need to…read moreget out of your car for between 10 and 60 minutes, chances are you'll enjoy Vermillion Falls Park. There's a nice sized parking lot and the falls is literally two minutes away. WIN. If you have teens who like some light hiking and picture taking, they will love this place. The teens I was with happily took pictures of both the falls and the graffiti and I enjoyed the wildflowers. Several picnic tables, and port a potties.

Small park nestled next to a large loud factory. The bike/walking trail is nice. We put a lock on…read morethe love lock fence. We didn't stay long but it was nice to see a park in this small town.

Great park and many spots to explore! I stopped in with a friend for a quick hike and we walked…read moredown by the water and enjoyed some snacks by the river. It's nice that we have this park so close to the cities!

I've enjoyed all seasons at this state park: in the winter, I've snow showed, in the spring/fall…read moreI've hiked, and in the summer I've enjoyed the beach. I've been to all 69 state parks in MN, and this one is my favorite near the metro area. There is something for everyone, although the hike to the beach includes a steep incline which can be a bother if you are carrying lots of gear (chairs, umbrella, water toys, etc).

My top favorite hiking spot in Minnesota. So many different paths you can take and a partially…read moreaccessible route for all ages and disabilities. Rock climbing up here is like no other spot in MN and everyone is always incredibly nice on the trails. Lots of places to stop and I love doing photography up here, photoshoots, and timelapses. You will never regret having a hike here. Being water for the break at the top and you are golden.

We like to make the trek from the twin cities to this park in Red Wing. There is a lot of parking…read moreat the trailhead and once you get going, it isn't too long of a hike up the hill and you are rewarded with really nice views of the town, the surrounding county, the river, as well as being able to see deep into Wisconsin. There is a lot to look at from the northern vantage point. Then, you can head south along a ridgeline and get to the southern vantage point and the views there go on for miles as well. It is definitely kid-friendly, as my 4 year old walked the whole thing and my 2 year old walked a bunch of it, too. Just make sure to take a few breaks and bring some snacks.

Whitetail Woods is such a great park system tucked near the University of Minnesota agricultural…read moreresearch farm. It's one of my favorite nature spots close to the Twin Cities. Even though it's not far from the metro, once you're out on the trails it really feels like you're deep in nature. It's quiet, peaceful, and you can't hear any city noise. There are plenty of trail options with different lengths and scenery. You'll find trails around the lake, wooded paths, prairie areas, and a mix of paved and natural surfaces. It's also very dog friendly, which is a big plus. They've done a great job with the amenities too. There's a nice play area for kids, restrooms, and well-maintained paths. One of the best things about this park is that it rarely feels overcrowded.

I love this park! Whitetail Woods is a relatively new part of the Metropolitan Parks System, but…read moreit has quickly become a favorite. It is close to the cities, yet when you're walking/hiking/snowshoeing, or whatever, it feels very isolated. Part of that in nature feel is because it is primarily surrounded by federal or state wildlife area and a U of MN researh farm. We first discovered if for snowshoeing and it continues to be one of our favorites for that activity. There's hiking trails you can walk on, or you can explore your own path. The terrain is varied with flat plains, lots of hills, plus swamps. Though we love it best in Winter, it is beautiful for hiking during any season. There's enough variation in terrain that you can get a good workout. Though it has become more popular as people have discovered it, it is still large enough that you do not feel overrun. There are also camper cabins if you would like to stay overnight. Highly recommend as an outdoor escape.

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!

Fabulous park right on the river, hence the "Levee" in the name of the park. Lovely bandshell that…read morelooks out over the river and yes, this is the Mississippi. Plenty of parking, plenty of walking paths and lots of benches. If you're looking for a place with a great background for your photos, this is it. There's even a public restroom! [Review 20726 overall - 137 in Minnesota - 1708 of 2023.]

Just a block off historic old downtown Hastings, with large free parking lots available. The Levee…read morePark is on the Mississippi River and you can view both bridges (Great River Road & old railroad bridges). Hiking/strolling/biking trail runs thru it. Clean public bathroom close to the parking lot.