Sakatah Singing Hills
State TrailView
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The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail is a 39 mile,
blacktopped trail, running between Faribault and Mankato.
The trail leads you through the beautiful countryside
near pastures and farmland, along several lakes, through
small towns, and the Sakatah State Park.
Near the middle of the trail, cyclists are routed through the city streets of
Waterville and past the historic railroad depot in Elysian. Waterville, Elysian,
Madison Lake and Cannon Lake all feature swimming beaches, hiking, cross country
skiing, nature parks, restroom facilities and picnic shelters.
On the Mankato end of the trail, you can access either the Minnesota River Trail
or the Red Jacket Trail through downtown Mankato. Several restaurants and hotels are
also scattered along the trails.
Red Jacket TrailView
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The Red Jacket Trail runs 13 miles through the country
and along the river between Mankato and Rapidan. Highlights
of the trail include traveling over three railroad trestles,
such as the Red Jacket which is 80 feet high and 550
feet long above the LeSueur River.
Once in Rapidan, cyclists follow a paved shoulder six miles on Co Rd 9 to a park
and the hydroelectric dam. The Red Jacket hooks with the Minnesota River Trail
and Sakatah Trail north of Mankato as it winds past Mt. Kato. Several wooden
bridges give the trail charm, with a landmark tunnel under the new southern bypass.
The park features varying scenery through a wilderness, along farmland and into
wooded ravines.
Flood Wall Trail (Minnesota
River Trail)View
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The Minnesota River Trail travels from Lind Street in
North Mankato along the Minnesota River into downtown
Mankato and continues into Sibley Park. Here you will
find a petting zoo, picnic facilities, and softball.
Heading further west will lead to Land of Memories and
eventually Minneopa State Park.
Rasmussen Woods Trail
Rasmussen Woods, located off of Stolzman Road in Mankato,
features wooded trails and an interpretive center. A
wooden-dock path through the wetlands and a ramped bike
park make this a fun park for all ages.
Seven Mile Creek Trail -
St. PeterView
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Seven miles of foot and hiking trails cover 600 acres of beautiful wooded park. Scenic cross-country skiing is great in the winter and three picnic shelters with 12 grills, a ball diamond and concrete boat landing make this park along the creek a part of summer.
Location: Three miles north of Mankato on Highway 169
Mount Kato Bike TrailView
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The Mt. Kato bike trail is a relatively new mountain
bike trail that covers the expanse of the ski hill. Hilly
terrain will challenge the novice to expert rider and
provide a change of pace from the paved bike trails and
city streets.
Williams Minneopa Nature
Center
Explore the state's premiere handicapped accessible nature center. Two miles
of paved paths connect with wildlife reserves, prairie vegetation, Indian mounds,
and an Indian village site. Information and comfort stations are available
throughout the Center.Location: Three miles west of Mankato along highway 68
Minneopa State Parkwww.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/narrative.html
Six miles west of Mankato on Highway 60. The only major waterfall in southwestern
Minnesota tumbles through Minneopa State Park. An old stone mill and a vanished
village leave traces of history in the midst of a park's wildlife. Camp, picnic
and hike in summer, cross-country ski in winter.
SibleyPark
Situated at the intersection of the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers, Sibley
is one of the oldest parks in Mankato. Sibley Park offers three softball
fields, plenty of playground equipment and beautiful walking trails. In the
winter get ready for the ride of your life as you cruise down the sledding
hill. A petting zoo and band shell help set Sibley apart from other parks.
Location: Just off South Riverfront Drive, Mankato
SpringLakePark
The premier park in North Mankato, Spring Lake offer visitors a variety of
activities for an afternoon at the park. The area’s only sand-bottom
swimming pit is a part of the park, as well as four sand volleyball courts. A
large duck pond is nearby providing onlookers with an opportunity to hand
feed ducks and geese. Picnic shelters, softball fields, nature trails
and playground equipment are also available.
Location: Intersection of Webster Avenue and Lake Street, North Mankato
BrayPark
Camping: 507.243.3885
Bray Park, in Madison Lake, features abundant open space and attractive wooded
areas. Overnight RV and tent campers are welcome with numerous activities for
the young and old. A 0.7 mile-long hard-surfaced nature trail and 1.4 mile-long
primitive footpath trail, with a unique 70 foot swinging bridge over a ravine
make this park distinctive. A log cabin and interpretative center are available
and can be reserved for group meetings, family gatherings, and company picnics.
Location: On the southeastern shore of Madison Lake off County Road 48, about
two miles southeast of Madison Lake.
IndianLake Conservation
Area
This 120-acre drained wetland was restored by the Blue Earth County Public
Works Department to serve as a wetland mitigation site. This conservation area
provides excellent wildlife viewing and a nature trail for hikers and horseback
riders. Trails wind through the east boundary of the park. The Indian Lake
Conservation Area received a federal Environmental Excellence Award in 1999.
Location: About one mile south of Mankato off Township Road 174.
RedJacketPark
This day-use park is part of the Red Jacket Trail system. A picnic shelter,
parking lot, viewing area, and canoe launch are highlights of the park.
Location: About two miles south of Mankato off State Highway 66, adjacent to
the Red Jacket Trail.
WildwoodPark
This park has a total of 28 acres in three parcels lying on alternate sides
of the river. The parcels are joined by a 140 foot-long swinging bridge and
a 120 foot-long trail bridge. The intent is to retain this area in its natural
state, providing only a small parking area, nature trail, and canoe access
to the river. The park is an attractive setting of mixed woods and small
open areas.
Location: Approximately three miles south of the City of Eagle Lake on both
sides of the LeSueur River off Highway 28.
DalyPark
Camping: 507.524.3000
This scenic, wooded/open-space park provides a wide range of facilities for
overnight campers and picnickers. An island with a 0.5 mile-long primitive
trail allows exploration of the natural state of the island. A caretaker is
in residence year round.
Location: Daly Park is on the northeastern shore of Lura Lake off County Road
191, about four miles southwest of Mapleton.
DuckLakePark
Picnic Shelter/Boat Reservations: 507.243.3864
This popular day-use park offers volleyball, picnicking, fishing, swimming,
boat landing, and playground area. Canoes, paddleboats, and fishing boats are
available to rent and a caretaker is in residence year round.
Location: On the southern shore of Duck Lake off County Road 187, about one-half
mile north of Madison Lake.
EagleLakePark
This narrow, roadside rest area has a lakeshore that provides picnicking, swimming
and boat access to the lake.
Location: On the northeast shore of Eagle Lake off Highway 26, about four
miles west of Madison Lake.
Lake GeorgePark
Boat Rental: 507.243.4327
This small day-use park offers a picnic area, swimming beach, boat landing,
fishing dock, and playground area. Canoes, fishing boats, and paddleboats are
available for rent. A resident caretaker is provided during the park season.
Location: On the southeast shore of Lake George off County Road 187, about
four miles northeast of Madison Lake.
RapidanPark
Located in an attractive setting, this pleasant park provides for daytime picnicking
and playground use. An outstanding view of the scenic river valley is afforded
from the park and the top of the adjoining hydroelectric Rapidan dam. A hideaway
store, The Dam Store, provides basic needs for picnickers and home-baked
pie.
Location: Adjacent to the west end of the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River,
off County Road 9 in the hamlet of Rapids.
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