We came on MN State Park Day where entrance was free and this has been on my husband's list to…read morevisit so we gave it a go! We did a combination route along the Quarry Loop and Wolf Creek Trails and it was really great! I like how it also snaked past other trails like Hell's Gate and Deadman Trail, and you could hop off the trail for a bit and explore something else (like checking out the historic sandstone quarry ruins and the waterfall). Generous shade and well maintained, we had an awesome time!

We only got to spend about an hour at Banning State Park but it was an hour well spent. Lots of…read morehiking trails to choose from and a nice picnic area right off the parking lot that even has grills available. We took a short hike to see some rapids and even though the water was low it was quite beautiful! Trails were maintained and the colors were beautiful this time of year. Wish we could have spent more time! Not too far from the twin cities metro so makes for a nice day trip!

Banning State Park was one of our favorite outdoor stops during our Hinckley getaway. The park is…read moreknown for its scenic hiking trails, sandstone cliffs, and the views of the Kettle River, making it a great place to spend a few hours exploring. Our goal was to find the waterfall, but like many first-time visitors, we ended up taking a wrong turn and wandered a little longer than expected. Honestly, it turned into part of the adventure. As we explored, we spotted deer quietly moving, squirrels darting between the trees, and plenty of birds and caterpillars along the way. We discovered quiet trails, beautiful overlooks, and peaceful stretches of the river that we might have missed if we'd gone straight to our destination. The sound of the water, the surrounding rock formations, and the forest scenery made it one of those places where you naturally want to stop and take it all in. If you're visiting Banning State Park for the first time, don't stress if you get a little turned around. Give yourself extra time, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy the journey.

This is a beautiful state park that offers so many opportunities to commune with nature. Lush…read moretrails, flowers native to shorelines and wet soils, and a waterfall are among some of the many joys here. It is located off I-35 near Sandstone, and 90 miles away from the Twin Cities (about an hour and a half away). It is worth making a day trip to visit. The park stretches along 10 miles of the Kettle River, and has 1.5 miles of churning class IV rapids for those daring kayakers.

This park's primary function is to host city festivals and special events. The park has a shelter…read morewith picnic tables under it, a gazebo, a kiosk with city information posted on it, some green space and a band stand. You will also find a large Sandstone Adirondack chair and a large lion head that make for great photo opportunities. There is a mural highlighting the city's history that was painted by local artist Carol Bersin, with the assistance of local community members. Some of the events hosted at the park include Train Park is the home of Quarry Days held the second weekend in August and Sandstone Octoberfest, and Sandstone National Night Out. The park does not have any restroom facilities and during special events, they have to bring in port-a-potties. The park also does not have water fountains or a playground. This park does not receive many visitors outside of special events or festivals. I was the only one there during my visit. I will admit that the park's green space is suitable to be used as a multi-use field for pick-up football, soccer, baseball games or for playing catch, or tossing a frisbee around. This park is very well maintained and is a perfect spot to hold an event such as a festival or even a birthday party. However, given this park's limited utility. I do not see this as a destination spot or a place to visit outside of a scheduled event.

We are always looking for new things to do near the Northern Shore as we take a trip at least once…read morea year up that way. This was our first time driving into Duluth through Superior Wisconsin so we had to make a stop at Pattison State Park. Our favorite view of the Big Falls was from the parking area across the street from the park entrance ( you still need a park permit to park there). Short hike to the viewing area and they also have a selfie station to get a great picture in front of the falls. The colors were beautiful as we came in the fall time but I would love to come back in the spring to see the falls raging!

I spent 3 wet, foggy days camping with my family at Pattison last weekend. The sites and trails are…read morevery well maintained and the hiking was great. The bathrooms were clean for the most part but the showers were kind of gross- however some of that was due to other campers. They are also in the process of building a new shower/bathroom facility. The most standout part of our stay however was Ranger Chris. He was incredibly nice and helpful, especially towards my 5 year old who always has about a million questions and observations. Ranger Chris hooked him up (pun intended) with a series of much treasured "fish cards" and a neat activity book that we had fun completing as a family so my boy could earn a Wisconsin patch. Thanks for making our (and especially his) stay wonderful, Ranger Chris!!

This is a fantastic park with trails are easy and wind around the little lakes in the park. Make…read moresure to stop by the agate center for an excellent exhibit on the geology of Minnesota, very informative and awesome. The beach on Echo lake is very nice too! Lots of raspberries which you can eat. We also saw a deer and some small frogs! Highly recommend!

Fantastic State Park with an excellent Agate museum for all age groups! Run, don't walk to this…read morebeloved State Park! Lake, trails, camping, nature, fun for all ages!

This garden is a must-see attraction if you're ever near the St. Cloud area. It looks as if it's…read morestraight out of a fairytale book! There are beautiful fountains, winding walkways, and charming trellises to enjoy - and the best part? It's completely FREE to experience. Munsinger Gardens holds historical significance as one of St. Cloud's most beloved landmarks, with its origins dating back to the 1930s. It has been lovingly maintained to showcase seasonal blooms, peaceful river views, and stunning landscapes that make every visit magical. Whether you're looking for a serene stroll, a romantic photo spot, or just a place to appreciate nature's beauty, this garden delivers!

These gardens are absolutely beautiful! The grounds are so well kept, with many different types of…read moreflowers. There is a cute ice cream shop on-site, and it is right next to the river walk as well. Super close to downtown, access to many restaurants. Lots of street parking which is a quick walk to the location. Great spot to check out with free time!

This is an incredible (but very busy!) state park. We camped at walk-in site 83, which was hands…read moredown the best site in the park. The walk-in sites in general are all amazing, you're secluded from everyone else but still close to the amenities. Site 83 is about a 4-minute walk from where you park your car. There are two tent pads and plenty of space. It's a beautiful site--book it early! The amenities at the campground were great, plenty of places to recycle, fill up water, and throw out trash. The bathrooms are also very nice, but they are some of the busiest bathrooms I've ever seen! There are plenty of hiking trails as well, a great visitor center and gift shop, and it is an all around lovely state park.

We had an awesome camping weekend here - I'm so glad I got to see this state park! Here's the…read morebreakdown: CAMPSITES: 4/5 Lots of campsites here that we booked well in advance - I'd guess they fill up fast! I'm not super experienced at camping, but the campsites felt quite close together to me. Compared to other places we've been, the sites are much less private. AMENITIES: 5/5 The amount of water spickets and bathrooms around the site were great, and the showers/main bathroom facilities were nice! STATE PARK: 5/5 We loved walking a bit of the state park over the weekend! The suspension bridge is super cool, and it's really fun to walk on and explore the unique rock formations along the water.

We had our first time visit to St Croix Park this past weekend and we are already planning our next…read moretrip back to spend more time! The park is located just an hour and a half from the twin cities area so made for a great day trip destination! We did the recommended scenic drive to the 100ft fire tower which gave us some awesome fall color views! The park had many beautiful trees and we saw so many blue birds! We really want to check out camping here but will have to save that for another trip! Overall a great park to check out the fall colors!

I can't believe it took me this long to explore this state park. Close enough to the cities for a…read moreday trip, big enough to make you want to come back and keep exploring -- it helps that the weather was perfect during our camping trip. The park itself is incredibly large. Be prepared to drive 5-15miles to get to different areas of the park. Plenty to do from the largest area of electric campsites I've seen at a state park, to river access for canoes/kayaks, to a beach to swim and relax, to the famous observation tower if you want the most scenic view of the park. Campsites are not super private, but very spacious -- so spacious you could easily fit a large camper (30ft+), a tent or clam, and your vehicle, and still have room for activities. Also, poor to no cell service at campsites (so you can disconnect!), but they do have wifi in park buildings. PS: climbing the tower isn't for the faint of heart -- steep.

This is a beautiful overlook just south of Fond du lac, MN on state highway 23. The view is across…read morethe St Louis river valley. Plaques describe the geology and history. It's built as a round monument and if you stand in the middle your voice & sounds you make revered in a very cool way. It's worth the time to stop & look.