Learn about this volunteer program unique to Minneopa State Park. Bison Ambassadors interact with the public up at Seppmann Mill on weekends talking about the MN Bison Conservation Herd. We will talk about what this program curtails and meet up with Lead Bison Ambassador Tim Pulis as he does a shift. To register send an […]
Looking to learn about the natural ecosystem found in Minneopa go for a naturalist-led walk. A number of stops will allow us to talk about the historical and natural significance of this state park. Some of the areas covered include the establishment of the 3rd oldest state park. To register send an email to scott.kudelka@state.mn.us
Minnesota's 75 state parks and recreation areas are found throughout the state and represent a diversity of landscapes. In this presentation, we will cover some of the more iconic parks like Itasca and many found in the area including Minneopa, Flandrau, and Fort Ridgely. Test your knowledge about state parks in Minnesota through a series […]
Swan Lake is North America's largest wetland complex and one of the most healthy shallow lakes in southern Minnesota. Take a leisurely paddle on Swan Lake with the Minneopa Area Naturalist to learn how to paddle and more about this amazing resource. We will take off from the boat ramp at Nicollet Bay (west of […]
Join us Tuesday nights for road group rides! All rides leave the shop at 5:30 pm. Meet others and break into A, B, and C level routes and paces. A Ride: For experienced road riders. The pace is an all-out effort and does not wait for dropped riders. 40-60 miles. 21+ mph. Leaves at 5:30 […]
This ride's group size has a max of 6. The ride includes a 3 hour guided bike ride (Start at Sakatah/Riverfront Trail Point, head to LoCale Brewing, head to Mankato Brewery, end at Sakatah/Riverfront Trail Point). Tickets include one drink ticket at each location
Join us Tuesday nights for road group rides! All rides leave the shop at 5:30 pm. Meet others and break into A, B, and C level routes and paces. A Ride: For experienced road riders. The pace is an all-out effort and does not wait for dropped riders. 40-60 miles. 21+ mph. Leaves at 5:30 […]
Our community has always been the heart of the Out of the Darkness Walks. Your safety and well-being will always be our top priority, and while we remain hopeful that we'll be able to gather in person once again this fall, we are closely monitoring CDC and local guidelines and will continue to share updates […]
Join us to race into fall! Before the festivities, enjoy a beautiful run in our 446-acre nature preserve. There will be a youth 1k race later in the day, but this 5k is still open to people of all ages and paces. Celebrate your finish with mini-donuts and cider along with water, bananas, and granola […]
Join us on September 18th to celebrate the start of fall! In the morning there is a trail run, then around noon, the main fun will begin. We will have fun activities like a prairie maze, tractor-pulled wagon rides, an exotic animal attraction, homestead tours, games, crafts, a naturalist-guided hike, and more!
Every full moon, we bring out the boats and paddle together under the silver midnight light at Red Jacket Valley Park. We’ll bring something to throw on the grill, and you’re welcome to bring refreshments yourself! $40 per person, ages 8 and older (ages 8-15 with an adult). Sign up by giving us a call […]
Join us Tuesday nights for road group rides! All rides leave the shop at 5:30 pm. Meet others and break into A, B, and C level routes and paces. A Ride: For experienced road riders. The pace is an all-out effort and does not wait for dropped riders. 40-60 miles. 21+ mph. Leaves at 5:30 […]
All riders welcome! We have a ride for everyone. Meet in the Mankato SCHEELS parking lot and the end of our rides are at the WOW!ZONE with great food, drink, and game specials for our riders. Check our Mankato SCHEELS Facebook page every Wednesday for ride details. The health and safety of our customers and […]
Plot twist! This month's sunset cruise will be a short one over to Spring Lake Park with the option to go farther on your own if desired. This weekend (Sept 25/26) there is a bike polo tournament hosted by the Mankato Blue Skunks at Spring Lake Park. There will be pickup games happening Friday evening! […]
Minneopa State Park will be holding a Bison Ambassador Training for those who want to be part of this unique program. This volunteer program gives citizens an opportunity to help engage visitors on how to be safe around the bison and answer any related questions about North America's largest mammal. Bison Ambassador Volunteers help the […]
Families, friends, individuals, and groups are encouraged to help out with Minneopa State Park?s annual Prairie Seed Collection at the side of the waterfall of the park. Please meet at the park office. Following a brief orientation, the group will move to the prairie and collect and sort native seeds from 12:30 to about 2 […]
Join us for a late ride from 8-10 p.m. The cost is just $5! Skateboards, scooters, BMX, and rollerblades are all welcome! Enjoy lights and music! The outdoor bowl will be open weather permitting. Concessions will be available! Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done at the YMCA's front desk!
In this exploratory, youth-guided program, participants will decide as a group the activity of the day. With the support of our naturalists, youth will have the opportunity to explore the pond, head down into the ravine, track critters in the woods, and get up close and personal with prairie plants. Participants should dress for the […]
Join us Tuesday nights for road group rides! All rides leave the shop at 5:30 pm. Meet others and break into A, B, and C level routes and paces. A Ride: For experienced road riders. The pace is an all-out effort and does not wait for dropped riders. 40-60 miles. 21+ mph. Leaves at 5:30 […]
All riders welcome! We have a ride for everyone. Meet in the Mankato SCHEELS parking lot and the end of our rides are at the WOW!ZONE with great food, drink, and game specials for our riders. Check our Mankato SCHEELS Facebook page every Wednesday for ride details. The health and safety of our customers and […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Join us for a late morning float down the Minnesota River! We will finish our trip with coffee and pastries on the beach, provided either by River Rock Coffee in St. Peter or The Coffee Hag in Oldtown Mankato. This trip can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on river levels. The cost is […]
Happy Hour FLoat is 5:00 p.m. every Friday until the end of the season! Join us on a happy hour float from Land of Memories to Riverfront Park! Afterward, enjoy a free beer or wine on us at The Wine Cafe. This trip can take between 1 to 2 hours depending on river levels. The […]
Join us for the return of this popular and informative guided after-dark outdoor walking tour! You’ll meet personalities who lived in the Traverse des Sioux area over 160 years ago. Local actors portray their “spirits” by telling dramatic and humorous stories about their lives and experiences. You’ll find these stories fascinating, sometimes tragic, but always […]
Join us for our monthly group fun run/walk followed by BodyFlow, which is a yoga-inspired workout program. Becky and Allison from Fitness for $10 will lead the workout. We will offer refreshments and snacks following the workout. We’ll give away a few gift cards as well! Join the fun this Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at […]
Nicollet Bike, River Valley Running, and Bent River are hosting a Fun Run & Bike rides or a kayaking float experience starting from their respective parking lots that will end at the HUB at 10 a.m. with a River Valley Makers Market & food truck! Group Rides leaving from Nicollet Bike and Ski side parking […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Join Lori and Kayla for a walking meditation through Flandrau State Park.
Come enjoy the beautiful Blue Earth River and Rapidan Dam! This longer adventure along the Blue Earth River includes a stop at Rapidan Dam Cafe, home of the greatest pie in the river valley – and we’ll buy you a slice! This trip can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on river levels. The […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Join us for the return of this popular and informative guided after-dark outdoor walking tour! You’ll meet personalities who lived in the Traverse des Sioux area over 160 years ago. Local actors portray their “spirits” by telling dramatic and humorous stories about their lives and experiences. You’ll find these stories fascinating, sometimes tragic, but always […]
This is the ONLY night each year that you can ride the mountain bike trails at Mount Kato in the dark! Bring your headlamp and bike light, helmet, and any other lights to light up your bike! There will be a bonfire plus we'll have supplies for s'mores. A grill will also be available if […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Our most famous route, this trip includes the waterfalls at Triple Falls and Devil’s Gulch. We’ll bring some bagels and spreads to enjoy along this beautiful stretch of the Blue Earth River! This trip can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on river levels. The cost is $40 per person, ages 8 and older […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Happy Hour FLoat is 5:00 p.m. every Friday until the end of the season! Join us on a happy hour float from Land of Memories to Riverfront Park! Afterward, enjoy a free beer or wine on us at The Wine Cafe. This trip can take between 1 to 2 hours depending on river levels. The […]
Grab your brooms! We need a handful of folks to help us clean up some portions of the route for the River Ramble this year! This will include sweeping any sand/glass/debris from areas like corners, bridges, etc. Expect 1-3 hours depending on which areas we focus on. Meet up at the shop, we will divide […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Come enjoy the beautiful Blue Earth River and Rapidan Dam! This longer adventure along the Blue Earth River includes a stop at Rapidan Dam Cafe, home of the greatest pie in the river valley – and we’ll buy you a slice! This trip can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on river levels. The […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Take in the panoramic view of 2021's fall colors on the Minnesota River with Bent River Outfitter! Open Shuttle times are 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on October 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10. Bring your own boat and/or rent what you need! Give us a call or text at 507-508-2175 to sign up. The […]
Explore the nighttime world! We’ll learn about nighttime critters and their adaptations. Once it gets dark we’ll look up to the sky to search for constellations. You won’t want to miss it! This event costs $5 for members/$8 for non-members. Registration is required for each program. You must register two days in advance. Register here.
The annual Mount Kato Ski Patrol Umpteenth Ski Swap. It's our only fundraiser of the year and all proceeds go to help the patrollers with training and travel.
Happy Hour FLoat is 5:00 p.m. every Friday until the end of the season! Join us on a happy hour float from Land of Memories to Riverfront Park! Afterward, enjoy a free beer or wine on us at The Wine Cafe. This trip can take between 1 to 2 hours depending on river levels. The […]
Come enjoy the beautiful Blue Earth River and Rapidan Dam! This longer adventure along the Blue Earth River includes a stop at Rapidan Dam Cafe, home of the greatest pie in the river valley – and we’ll buy you a slice! This trip can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on river levels. The […]
Join us on Saturday, October 16th from 6-9 p.m. for a Jack-O-Lantern Walk in Bluff Park! Bring your family and enjoy all the different Jack-O-Lanterns as well as a fall food stand!
Join us for MY Pace Mile on Commerce Drive in North Mankato. Bring your family and friends to run, jog or stroll at your pace for MY Place! Register here.
