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.
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.
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.
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.
Nature in the City: Westwood Hills Nature Center
A favorite metro nature area, Westwood Hills Nature Center samples all of Minnesota’s best features: lake, marsh, woods, and restored prairie.
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.
17 Things to Pack in Your Hiking Day Pack
A lot of Minnesota outdoors exploring involves day hiking. This is the comprehensive list of 17 (and two optional) things we carry in our packs while we’re on day hikes. Hiking essentials, optional gear, and best tips for healthy hikes.