Best Things to Do in St. Cloud
Best things to do in St. Cloud, MN. Enjoy parks and quarries, bike trails, concerts, sports, culture, history in this college town on the river.
Destinations
Crosby Manitou State Park: A Tough Hike
At George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, designed for backpackers not cars, you’re in for a challenging hike to reach the Manitou River cascade. And from there, it gets a lot tougher.
Granite Falls: Minnesota River Town
Small town Granite Falls on the Minnesota River features the historic Volstead House Museum, a WWII air museum, and a spirited arts community. Just over two hours’ drive from Minneapolis, it makes for an easy overnight or weekend getaway.
The Lac qui Parle Mission and State Park
The Lac Qui Parle Mission provides a glimpse into some of the earliest interactions between the Indians of the Upper Minnesota River area and the first white settlers, including Joseph Renville, who was instrumental in creating a system of writing the Dakota language.
The Upper Sioux Agency State Park
Created as one of two Indian agencies created by the Sioux treaty of 1851, the Upper Sioux Agency is now a state park with history exhibits and nice hikes.
Visiting the Fort Snelling Historic Site
Located at the juncture of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, Fort Snelling is a lesson in early Minnesota History.
Fort Snelling State Park: Hiking Two Rivers
Fort Snelling State Park is a day hiker’s paradise, with at least three routes out of the main parking lot that lead to interesting conclusions. But the highlight is the hike around Pike Island along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers to their confluence.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
How to prepare for and enjoy the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the most pristine landscape in the lower 48 states. Choose a good outfitter, prepare for weather changes, and enjoy the dark skies.
Visiting Isle Royale National Park
Located in Lake Superior 20 miles off the coast of the most northern tip of Minnesota, the 50 mile-long, six mile-wide Isle Royale National Park takes some getting to. But once there it offers what the more popular parks don’t, primarily – splendid isolation.
Walking Moose Lake State Park
Moose Lake State Park in the early spring: a classic Minnesota walk, a day trip from Duluth or Minneapolis and easy access from I-35. Enjoy a day hike, the woods, wildlife and, in town, a visit to the Blacklock Photography Gallery.