Wildwood County Park is one of rural Mankato’s best kept secrets.
I’ve enjoyed the 140-foot long swinging bridge that traverses the meandering Le Sueur river since the early 80’s. This remote yet close-to-home destination will entertain your family for hours with fishing, the swinging bridge, and a 120-foot trail bridge leading to paths through grass and river-bottom woodlands that intersect the lazy Le Sueur numerous times.
It’s also a great grad photo-op location.
Located just north of St. Clair on county road 28 at the intersection of County Roads 28 and 23, it’s just a scenic 15-minute drive from Mankato. The park isn’t open during the winter, but wears fall colors like a homecoming queen!
![Photo by Rick Pepper - Kids play on the banks during lower water, typically in the fall.](https://www.mankatolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wildwood_park_st_clair_mn7-1024x683.jpg)
![Photo by Rick Pepper - At high water, the bridge almost looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.](https://www.mankatolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wildwood_park_st_clair_mn6-683x1024.jpg)
![Photo by Rick Pepper - With the water low you can get a view of and appreciate the 150-foot span of the swinging bridge.](https://www.mankatolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wildwood_park_st_clair_mn4-683x1024.jpg)
![Photo by Rick Pepper - My kids play in the river bottom when the water is low.](https://www.mankatolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wildwood_park_st_clair_mn3-1024x683.jpg)
![Photo by Rick Pepper - Lazy water makes for quiet fishing experiences.](https://www.mankatolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wildwood_park_st_clair_mn2-683x1024.jpg)
![Photo by Rick Pepper - The Le Sueur River changes shape with every flash flood and fallen tree. It is especially attractive when the water is lower.](https://www.mankatolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wildwood_park_st_clair_mn1-683x1024.jpg)
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