Discover Stearns County: Nature, Culture and Trails

Stearns County offers a wide range of experiences: Mississippi River landscapes, trails through forests and small communities, historic places and local foods. When planning your trip, you can start by deciding whether nature, culture, outdoor activities or a seasonal offering will be your focus. The destinations below also differ in the specific sights and activities they offer.

Landscapes and Trails

Mississippi River County Park covers 230 acres along a 1.3-mile stretch of the Mississippi River. At Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, wooded areas alternate with open prairie, wetlands and exposed bedrock. Mountain bike trails there run over exposed rock. The historic Liberty Derrick, an exhibit honoring the granite industry, is part of Minnesota’s granite-quarrying history.

A different landscape awaits at Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum: more than 2,500 acres of lakes, prairie, oak savanna and forest surround Saint John’s Abbey and Saint John’s University. More than 15 miles of arboretum trails run around the Abbey and university. For a visit with a historical perspective, consider the Abbey Quadrangle: completed in 1886, it incorporates the first brick buildings as well as the church.

The trails also vary considerably in length and setting. The Dairyland Trail runs 10 miles from Elrosa to 315th Avenue in New Munich. By contrast, the 62-mile Lake Wobegon Trail is a paved rail-trail that passes through forests, along lakes and through small communities. The routes mentioned differ in length.

For the cold season, cross-country ski trails are available at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, Warner Lake County Park, Mississippi River County Park and Kraemer Lake - Wildwood County Park. This is a seasonal offering that depends on snow conditions. Curving paths shape the layout of Munsinger Gardens, while Clemens Gardens has brick-paved paths. The different path designs give each garden its own character.

Culture, History and Local Experiences

The Paramount Center for the Arts in Saint Cloud combines a renovated historic theater with a visual arts program. The 800-seat theater was built in 1921. Classes include pottery, drawing, painting, glass design, woodworking, textile arts and jewelry making. A visit can therefore include both performances and hands-on creative activities.

Saint John’s Pottery welcomes visitors to its gallery, sells ceramics and offers guided studio tours. Visiting hours are Monday through Friday from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Seasonal kiln preparations may affect tour availability, so check current options before visiting.

The Stearns History Museum serves county residents and presents exhibits, programs and activities exploring Stearns County’s diverse history. It is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Research Center is accessible by appointment on Tuesdays. If you’re planning to visit on a particular day, check the current schedule.

Flavors and Seasonal Events

Redhead Creamery, on the family-run Jer-Lindy Farm, offers year-round cheese-making tours. Afterward, visitors can use the on-site cheese shop for lunch and shopping. Check booking details before your trip. Wildwood Ranch at Kraemer Lake - Wildwood County Park has been a family-run, modern maple syrup operation for more than 40 years. Tours there are scheduled seasonally, so the time of year affects visiting opportunities.

A seasonal cultural event is the summer concert series at Munsinger Gardens: beginning in mid-June, concerts take place every other Sunday near the gazebo by the Mississippi River. Dates may vary from year to year. Hemker Park & Zoo offers giraffe feeding; availability and schedule may change. If you’re planning to include this experience, ask about current options in advance. This makes it easy to bring together established attractions, seasonal events and personal interests when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sauk Centre, Albany, Waite Park, Sartell, Saint Augusta, Paynesville, Faribault, Douglas County.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.