When you're near St. Cloud, there's nothing better than stopping to visit the Munsinger Clemens Gardens. With fresh blooms and beautiful landscapes in every season, it's even worth going out of the way to see these spectacular places. Across the Mississippi River from St. Cloud State University, these gardens have acres of natural beauty and they hold plenty of public events like music in the gardens on alternating Sundays and the art fair in the gardens on July 21. They also hold a photography contest - so check our their website for photography rules and get snapping!
The gardens were started when a former sawmill was purchased by the city in the early 1900s and they created Riverside Park and Munsinger Gardens. A century later they were given another piece of land by Bill and Virginia Clemens who constructed the beautiful European formal gardens. They are full of fascinating shapes and beautifully arranged color.
The gardens are also the perfect place to relax and take in the fresh air of the MN countryside. So remember to give this place a try next time you're passing through, or better yet, plan a special trip to this little slice of paradise in the middle of MN.
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we are lucky to have many, many, charming small towns. And these towns often have at least one park. And because we Minnesotans love our green spaces, many communities can boast two or more. Parks range from grassy squares with a tree or two, a picnic table, and perhaps some playground equipment to recreation-oriented parks full of fields and facilities to elaborate, forested preserves with rushing creeks and hiking trails - and everything in between.
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Some small towns, like Isle and Luverne, even have state parks right at their doorsteps. Others are home to wonderful city or county parks. Detroit Lakes falls into the latter category, boasting a huge, lakefront city park with a beach and plenty of amenities, as well as the incredible Dunton Locks County Park, which is one of my favorite small-town parks in Minnesota.
With several miles of trails, ranging from easy to moderately challenging, the park is ideal for hiking, cycling, and snowshoeing (in winter, of course). There's even a section of the Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail in the park. It's also rumored to be home to one of Thomas Dambo's famous trolls.
In warmer months, fishing, paddling, and camping are popular activities at Dunton Lakes. There are also picnic shelters and other amenities for the family to enjoy. The park is open year-round, and it's lovely landscape is stunning in all seasons - yes, even during winter. I promise.
Next time you're in the Detroit Lakes area - whether chasing trolls or just visiting Lake Country - be sure to save some time to explore Dunton Locks County Park... you'll be glad you did. Check out AllTrails Plus for some additional hiking suggestions at the park. And if you'll need a place to stay, you won't find a better location than Best Western Premiere: The Lodge on Lake Detroit. As its name implies, it's right on the lake, and it's one of our favorite resorts in the area.
Have you visited Dunton Locks County park in Detroit Lakes? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us about your favorite small-town parks in Minnesota.
I recently went on a troll hunt in and around Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. One of the clues sent me to the charming town of Frazee, which is located a few miles southeast of Detroit Lakes, and while I was there looking for trolls, I stumbled across a sizable turkey statue, as well as an incredible covered bridge in Minnesota that I'd never heard of before. Take a look at what I found!
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Frazee is located about 15 minutes southeast of Detroit Lakes along U.S. Hwy. 10.
Compared to other "world's largest" roadside attractions in Minnesota, this one seemed a little small. So, I was a little surprised that it's the "world's largest." But, hey - who am I to argue?
Just a few minutes from the turkey, on the north side of town, I found Wannigan Regional Park.
At first glance, it seemed straightforward enough. Some ball fields, a few porta-potties, and a trail heading out across the prairie, along the Otter Tail River, toward a stand of woods.
The surprise for me, though, was as I started my hike, I noticed a covered bridge in Wannigan Park.
All in all, it was a pretty sweet little hike, and the park was unexpectedly scenic. One thing to be aware of when visiting this covered bridge in Wannigan Regional Park and hiking the trails there is that no drinking water is available (yet) in the park. So, be sure to fill and bring a water bottle with you. I used AllTrails Plus to track my hike, and the out-and-back trip to the troll was just under a mile on a wide, well-maintained trail; there was no appreciable elevation to worry about.
Have you visited this covered bridge in Minnesota or hiked the North Country National Scenic Trail at Wannigan Regional Park in Frazee, MN? Let us know in the comments! And if you dig hikes with a little bit of history, you'll definitely want to check out these Minnesota trails.
