Mankato was founded on the same date in 1858 that Minnesota became a state. Just about 45,000 people live in Mankato, which gives it a balance between urban progress and small-town charm. The city's galleries provide families with a way to educate their children and expand the parents' minds.
The city is about 80 miles from the famous Walnut Grove, Minnesota, the sight of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. The two places share a lot of history regarding the westward expansion of the United States during the latter half of the 19th century. Minnesota State University is in Mankato, and you can attend sporting events at the campus during the appropriate seasons. The Minnesota State Mavericks are perennial powers in Division II Athletics, and the hockey teams at the school play in Division I.
Should you want to sample some local history, the Happy Chef restaurant, which is the last of its kind, has operated in Mankato since 1963. It used to be part of a chain, but the other restaurants closed over the years. It's as famous for its charm as it is for its breakfasts.
Campgrounds Near Mankato, Minnesota
Though the Land of Memories Campground doesn't provide full hookups, you can experience wonderful celebrations of the solstices throughout the year. The First Nations of the area also hold powwows at the campground, and you can immerse yourself in their culture for an afternoon and evening. The campground is also right in downtown Mankato, so there's no tiresome drive just to get to where you'll be staying. Many of the area's bicycle tours begin and end at the campground as well.
The Sawmill Campground is small, with just 25 sites, but its full hookups, free Wi-Fi, and hot showers make it welcoming and homey. It, too, is in downtown Mankato, and there is an 18-hole golf course just across the street. So, you can BBQ for lunch and hit the links for an afternoon of fun and exercise. The campground also welcomes your pets as long as you take care of them properly and keep them from bothering other guests.
Sakatah Trail Campground is just 20 miles from Mankato. The restaurant right next door called the Trail Blazer, is renowned for both its food and down-home service. The campground itself has full hookups and free Wi-Fi. Pets are welcome, and you can take your faithful companions with you along many of the nearby hiking trails. Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," and there are quite a few nearby for boating and fishing.
State Parks Near Mankato, Minnesota
About 100 miles south of Mankato is Clear Lake State Park. There's a 900-foot beach there, and although there are no lifeguards, you can swim, boat, and play in the sand. Windsurfing on the 3,600-acre lake is popular too. There's a picturesque island in the middle of the lake called Woodford Island. It covers three acres and functions primarily as a miniature wildlife sanctuary for opossums, birds, and other small game.
It's also roughly 100 miles to Gull Point State Park. Hiking the 1.3-mile interpretive trail is as educational as it is refreshing to the spirit. There are many more hiking trails of varying toughness throughout the 380 acres of the park. Songbirds flit overhead, and crafty white-tailed deer roam the forest. During the wintertime, cross-country skiing is one of the favorite activities of park visitors.
Just east of the Twin Cities in Wisconsin, 109 miles distant from Mankato, you'll find Willow River State Park. It's got 13 miles of hiking trails, and you can see fox, deer, and many species of birds along the way. The rocky walls within the park are great for rock climbing. The hardest climb in the world is "Silence" in Norway, which is rated 5.15d. The toughest climbs in Willow River State Park are almost as difficult, rated 5.14c.
National Sites Near Mankato, Minnesota
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is in St. Paul, 76 miles from Mankato. There are five dozen different markers and other facilities that you can tour as you hike through the area. You can also pick hiking trails that lead you to good fishing and boating opportunities. The Mississippi River Trail is the toughest trail around, so if you're an experienced hiker, then it's just right for you. If you prefer to stay in town, then check out the St. Paul's Science Museum of Minnesota.
A little more than a two-hour drive north, and you will come to the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. The area's St. Croix Trail is a 25-mile round trip. You'll see all manner of wildlife and native flowers along the way, and there are great places to have picnics or throw a frisbee around. Beavers are busy building lodges along the river, which is too wide for them to make a dam. It's a tall order to make the whole trip in one day, so many folks bring along pup tents to spend the night along the riverbank.
First Nations people have carved the red stone in the Pipestone National Monument for centuries. They use the stone to make ceremonial pipes and other articles considered sacred in their culture. The monument is 129 miles from Mankato. There are several historical markers along the easy hiking trails through the monument area. In addition to the quarries themselves, you can see the Nicollet Expedition Marker and the carved initials of some of the explorers.
National Forests Near Mankato, Minnesota
If you drive for a little more than four hours up into the Boundary Waters, then you'll find Chippewa National Forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps operated out of their main camp inside this forest in the 1930s and 1940s, and you can tour the well-preserved camp today. The "Lost 40" hiking trail takes you to the 144 acres of the forest that were never mapped because of a clerical error. It's a moderately difficult walk of about two miles.
Going 263 miles northeast of Mankato brings you to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which is 1.5 million acres of land that was covered by the southern edge of the glaciers of the last Ice Age. Human habitation inside the forest dates to 10,000 years ago, and you can see some of the archaeological sites that are still active when you hike through the forest. The Anvil Lake Trail is a tough 7-mile trail that is as rewarding as it is challenging.
Near Duluth, 230 miles to the northwest of Mankato, is the Superior National Forest. On your way there, you can stop in Duluth and see the lake freighters pulling in and out of the westernmost port on the Great Lakes. The forest covers nearly 4 million acres, and you'll find moose, wolves, and lots of birds within the forest. At night, you might hear the mournful laugh of a loon from one of the thousands of small lakes and ponds within the forest. The area is covered with hiking trails, so feel free to explore to your heart's content.
