area parks

AREA PARKS ARE ATTRACTIONS FOR THE ACTIVE AND ADVENTUROUS.

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.

Fallenstein Playground provides children of all abilities the opportunity to play. Fallenstein provides an environment where children, families, and our community can come together and grow by providing everyone the opportunity to not only access the play structures, but also engage with the structures.

Land of Memories Park features trails that wind along the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers and through the woods. This park is also a destination for disc golfers and wide-open spaces for all kinds of activities and events.

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.

Minneopa State Park is where you could spend hours watching the waterfalls, but you can also hike along the trails that encircle the falls, watch the birds, visit Seppman Mill, an abandoned windmill, or camp in one of the picturesque sites. A herd of 30 bison roam the enclosed 331 acres of the park. The herd is unique, having high-quality genetics descending from the type of bison Lewis and Clark gazed upon in the 1830s. Visitors can drive through the park to catch a glimpse of these beautiful giants.

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.

Riverfront Park has been recognized as one of Minnesota’s best outdoor music venues. It plays host to a variety of events and festivals for people to enjoy. The Grand Lawn, Vetter Stone Amphitheater, canoe landing, trailhead building, playground, and public art are just some of the amenities to be enjoyed at the park. The Minnesota River Trail runs through the park and provides great views of the Minnesota River and the City Center.

Sibley Park is nestled between the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers. Sibley Park is one of the oldest parks in Greater Mankato, once featuring a horse racing track, regional zoo, museum, and clay tennis courts. Now featuring an agricultural theme, the park has been recognized as having one of the coolest playgrounds in the state. A fitting petting zoo with farm animals goes along with that theme. Other park features include beautiful walking trails through the park and along the river, gorgeous flowers and stone gardens, and HealthBeat outdoor exercise equipment. In the winter, the park festively comes aglow with more than one million lights and dancing displays during the month-long Kiwanis Holiday Lights. Take a sled and delight in a large sledding hill for everyone to enjoy.

Spring Lake Park is located on the corner of Webster and Lake Street and is 52 acres. With a swim facility, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, ballfields, warming house, and winter activities of skating and sliding, the park has something for everyone.