5 State Parks Within An Hour Drive of St. Cloud

Does anyone else have a bad case of spring/cabin fever? I am ready to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and see new sights. During this Stay at Home Order for Minnesota, state parks are open for day use, but campgrounds, lodging and rental facilities are temporarily closed until May 4, 2020.

Crow Wing State Park - Brainerd

• 50-minute drive from St. Cloud
• Camping
• Fishing
• Scenic Hiking Trails
• Historic Sites
• Canoeing/Mississippi River
• Great Wildlife Observation Opportunities
• Historic Old Crow Wing Town Site, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers.

Sibley State Park - New London

• 1-hour drive from St. Cloud
• Bird Watching (Bird Checklist for Sibley State Park)
• Camping
• Fishing/Canoeing
• Hiking

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Lake Maria State Park - Monticello

• 30-minute drive from St. Cloud
• Endangered Blandings Turtle
• Hiking/Spring Wildflowers/Fall Colors
• Nesting Osprey and Eagles
• Park at the trail center and enjoy a beautiful hike on the Bjorkland Trail
• Watch for local species at the wildlife observation area

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - Onamia

• 1-hour drive from St. Cloud
• Camping
• Swimming/Playground
• 100 Ft. Observation Tower
• Historic Sites
• Hike the Landmark Trail (1-mile roundtrip) to visit the sites of former American Indian villages

Father Hennepin State Park - Isle

• 1-hour drive from St. Cloud
• Camping
• Fishing
• Wheelchair Accessible Fishing Piers
• Sandy Beach
• Home of Several Albino Deer
• Hike the Pope's Point Trail along lake shoreline of Mille Lacs Lake

Social distancing is encouraged while at the parks. If you see a lot of cars in the parking lot or at the trailhead, find someplace else. To avoid crowds at self-pay kiosks in the parks,purchase your vehicle permit online before you go. Make sure to record your receipt number and place it on your dashboard!