Category: Central Minnesota Hikes
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Crow Hassan Park Reserve
I am so glad that we did not let the weather forecast discourage us from this hike. I am also glad that I rearranged my schedule back in June of 2021 to make that hike possible so that now I can compare the two very different experiences of this park. How we spend our time…
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Sand Dunes State Forest
First of all, if you are looking for information about Sand Dunes National Park, this is not it. Sand Dunes State Forest is in Minnesota. You will not find huge flowing waves of sand here, but you will find miles of good hiking that is not too crowded. If you have horses, this is also…
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Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
This park is a great place to stop and stretch your legs anytime that your travels take you through Little Falls, Minnesota. I walked most of the trails here in a few hours. It is a beautiful place with interesting history but not a place for an all-day hike.
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Flandrau State Park
New Ulm, Minnesota is south of Hutchinson, west of Fairbault, north of Fairmont, and east of Walnut Grove. If you are familiar with Little House on the Prairie, you might remember Pa Ingalls making trips to Mankato now and then. Most likely he crossed the Minnesota river at New Ulm.
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St. Croix State Park
This park is HUGE compared to other Minnesota state parks. At 33,895 acres (13,717 ha) it is the largest Minnesota state park. I was driving there on a Friday afternoon. I knew it would be a challenge to get there before dark.
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Moose Lake State Park
your legs. It is just off the freeway and has just over 5 miles (8 km) of really nice trails arranged in loops that let you choose your distance. The ranger station has a geological history center.
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Quarry Park & Nature Preserve
For about 90 years starting in 1863 this land was an actual granite quarry. Much of the granite used in Minnesota’s significant architecture came from this area. Between the 1950’s and 1990’s the land gradually returned to a natural state. It became a Sterns County Park open to the public in 1998.
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Lake Maria State Park
If you like to hike unpaved loop trails without having to share the trail with bikes, this Minnesota State Park might be for you. You also will not see RVs or car campers. This park has only hike-in campsites and a few hike-in cabins. My husband and I almost camped here once years ago but…
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Crow Wing State Park
This park is between Little Falls and Brainerd, Minnesota on Highway 371. Starting the hike, I had the choice of following the river upstream or downstream, or entering the forest. I chose the forest
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Beaver Island Trail, St. Cloud
From the campus trailhead to the fire station trailhead is about 3 miles (5 km). If you like, you can enter this trail very close to the exit off Interstate 94 and walk all the way to the edge of downtown and then cross the river and wander through Munsinger Gardens. That might be closer…
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Crow-Hassan Dog Off-Leash Area
40 acres of packed earth trails through woods and open prairie is only a short drive northwest of Minneapolis. Crow-Hassan Dog Off-Leash Area was designed for people with dogs and I own zero dogs. Still, I enjoy being in the same space as dogs. Each dog and their human is a unique pair.
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William O’Brien State Park
I was bundled an appropriate amount: fleece headband over the ears and a wool hat. Turtleneck, sweatshirt, coat, leggings, jeans, wool socks, hiking boots, mittens, and a mask. At the beginning of my walk I marvelled at how I was walking outside in the snow, completely comfortable. I was glad to have the mask to…
Tammy Nara 