Area Parks
As a community that provides opportunities to be active and adventurous year-round, we are proud to point out that many local parks are attractions in themselves. Take a 360° virtual tour.
Blue Earth County Parks, Campgrounds & Trails
You could spend hours watching the waterfall, but you can also hike along the trails that encircle the falls, watch the birds and visit Seppman Mill, an abandoned windmill, or camp in one of the picturesque sites. Don’t forget the state park’s newest residents on Bison Drive. This bison herd has high quality genetics descending from the type of bison Lewis and Clark gazed upon in the 1830s. The Bison Drive Road is open Thursday-Tuesday 9 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. The Bison Drive Road is closed on Wednesdays. Take a virtual tour of Minneopa State Park. Take a virtual tour of Minneopa State Park. Go>. * Be sure to follow the DNR’s response to COVID-19 a Minneopa State Park.
Sibley Park
Nestled between the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers, Sibley Park (360° virtual tour)
Riverfront Park (360° virtual tour)
This park features trails that wind along the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers and through the woods. Campers can find access to the river as well as rustic, relaxing camping throughout 100 acres of beautiful scenery surrounding 47 camping sites for both tents and recreational vehicles. This park is also a destination for disc golfers and wide open spaces for all kinds of activities and events.
North Mankato’s Spring Lake Park has all kinds of fun for families. For some water play, check out the newly renovated Spring Lake Park Swim Facility. There are also shelters, trails, playground equipment, sand volleyball courts and winter sledding hills.
The North Mankato Kiwanis Club along with community members came together to make the dream of an inclusive playground a reality. Positioned next to the North Mankato Miracle League accessible baseball field, the inclusive playground delivers fun for children of all ages and abilities. In addition to PlayBooster® and Weevos® playstructures, there are loads of freestanding play components including the ZipKrooz®, Global Motion®, Sway Fun® glider, We-Saw™ and Cozy Dome® among others. Plus, a custom playground net climber uses natural topography to give everyone a chance to reach the top.
Formerly known as the Guaranteed Sand and Gravel Pit, the Red Jacket Valley Park is a scenic area designed for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and picnicking. There is a beach area on the south side of the pond and wooded walking trails throughout the park. Across the road is access to the Red Jacket Trail and Red Jacket Trestle Bridge where you can access the Le Sueur River. The park is located 2.5 miles southwest of Mankato city limits along Old Hwy 66 (CSAH 1). The pond contains sunfish, crappies, perch, and northerns for some fun fishing.