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!

Beautiful park and water falls with paved paths and great signage, even in winter. I had to be…read morecareful with some ice on the trail, especially near the falls. It is an easy walk from the parking lot. The gorge is very pretty, and the falls are absolutely breathtaking! Well worth a stop when you are in Hastings.

Visited on Mother's Day with the family before a wedding. A beautiful waterfall and peaceful…read moreatmosphere! Perfect time, the area was clean. Easy water to the waterfall. A must see! Few restaurants around as well. Parking lot close to the waterfall approximately a 2/3 minute walk. I wore a dress and sandals and it was an easy walk for me to take photos !

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).

Always amazed by the beauty MN has to offer and my friend took me on a scenic trail walk around…read moreAfton State Park. Everything was beautiful and the grounds are vast with summer flowers everywhere you look. Love the view of the St. Croix River as well. There are camping grounds here as well, which looks like a lovely getaway.

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.

Very nice place for a quick hike of different distances and levels of difficulty…read more Plentiful parking spots on the streets if need it. We'll pave and well navigate with signs, directions, and directions. We hike the Midland Trail and the South for an easy to moderate hike. We went the west outlook point. Well designed trails and stairs for everyone to come and enjoy. Overall yes, would come by if in the area for a nice breezy hike. The overall view point from the top overlooking downtown red wing is spectacular. Pictures cannot do justice to.

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.

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!

Fantastic! A short drive from the Twin Cities, this is a lovely site to take a walk in nature or…read moreuse for camping. This is my secondary visit where we came for a short hike to the falls with our dogs. If you are not from WI, be prepared to pay a few extra dollars more as a non-resident. My family parked near the entrance and used the trail next to the parking lot. There is a giant hill leading down to the falls which means the hike back is tough and almost breathless. I personally feel like seeing the falls makes it all worth it. When arriving at the falls, there are such a wide variety of humans who are climbing, swimming, sitting in nature, enjoying picnics, taking pictures and even knitting. While we typically do the quick falls hike, know that multiple trails exist and that maps will be provided upon entry. Enjoy!!

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.