A Helpful Guide to Flandrau State Park with Kids
This post featuring my guide to Flandrau State Park with kids may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy (linked below).
Need a place where kids can splash and explore freely? I have just the recommendation for you (spoiler: it’s one of my FAVORITE Minnesota State Parks). Flandrau State Park is very family-friendly, with plenty of room for adventure. Just minutes from downtown New Ulm, it’s an easy addition to a family day trip or weekend visit.
Spanning nearly 1,000 acres, this is an easy place to slow down and discover nature together. Trails wind through woodlands and along the river. Each one is even more beautiful than the last. We visited in the fall and were awestruck by the colors and birds along the river trails! We watched the birds take flight and circle for a long time.
The park offers a mix of easy, family-friendly routes and longer hikes. You can choose your own adventure based on your interest and timing. The Hiking Club Trail is a particularly good option for families looking for a manageable trek. At just under 3 miles, this trail takes you through almost the entire park, making it a great way to maximize the experience. I’ve shared two more of the best trails in Flandrau State Park for families below.
3 Very Unique Features at Flandrau State Park with Kids
Uniquely, Flandrau State Park also has a seasonal sand-bottom swimming pond! I think it’s one of only two or three state parks with such a unique summer experience. In the summer, pack swimsuits for a refreshing dip after your hike. The pool is chlorinated with a sand bottom. Lifeguards are on duty whenever the pool is open.
Nearby, the nature play area encourages kids to climb, build, and let their imaginations run wild. The playground is made entirely of natural materials. Most of it just looks like fallen trees and logs! My daughter loved this part of the park. We played here before and after our hike.
You can also explore historic stone buildings constructed by Works Progress Administration crews in the 1930s. In the 1940s, the camp was used as a World War II German prisoner-of-war camp. Information boards near the park entrance/parking lot share much of this park’s history.
Whether you’re planning a quick stop or a full afternoon, this guide to Flandrau State Park with kids covers the best family-friendly trails, seasonal activities, and tips to make the most of your visit.
Know Before You Go
Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Flandrau State Park with your kids:
- Nearest City: New Ulm, Minnesota
- Address: 1300 Summit Ave, New Ulm, MN 56073
- Vehicles require a Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permit (annual or day pass)
- Open daily from 8 am until 10 pm (visitor center + ranger station hours vary by season)
- Best seasons to hike here: Summer and fall
- Flandrau State Park Maps
- Nearby family-friendly places to eat: The Rathskeller at Turner Hall, MN EIS, Kaiserhoff, and Lola – An American Bistro
Unique Park Highlights
This state park features unique characteristics that are hard to find elsewhere in Minnesota. They include:
- This state park was established in 1937 (originally Cottonwood River State Park)
- A chlorinated, sand-bottom swimming pond in the summer
- Important Minnesota historic sites, including a CCC-built dam
- In the 1940s, the camp was used as a World War II German prisoner-of-war camp
- You can borrow a birding kit or a kids’ discovery kit from the ranger station
- Large kids’ nature play area near the parking lot
Best Hiking Trails in Flandrau State Park for Families
The park has 8 miles of trails. Most trails in Flandrau State Park are rated easy. Here are 2 of my top picks for the best trails in Flandrau State Park for families:
- Cottonwood Trail – 1.4-mile out-and-back trail
- Grassland Trail – 1.2-mile out-and-back trail
- The Hiking Club Trail – 2.8 miles (connecting several trails)
Note: Bicycles are not allowed on any of the park’s hiking trails.
Seasonal Things to Do in Flandrau State Park
Flandrau State Park offers plenty of fun seasonal activities for kids. Here are a few to keep in mind as you plan your visit!
Summer visits to Flandrau State Park include a dip in its seasonal, chlorinated sand-bottom swim pond. Lifeguards are on duty whenever it’s open. The accessible swimming area features a sidewalk entry and a consistent depth from 0 to 7 feet. It’s a great place to cool off on a warm day! Check the park’s seasonal updates for current opening dates and hours.
When snow conditions allow, winter visitors can explore 6 miles of groomed classic cross-country ski trails. Prefer to stay on your feet? The park also maintains about 2 miles of packed trails for snowshoeing and winter hiking. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station. Remember, groomed ski trails are reserved for skiing, and skiers age 16 and older need a Great Minnesota Ski Pass.
No matter what season you visit, Flandrau State Park has plenty of fun things to do!
Tips for Visiting Flandrau State Park with Kids
Here are a few tips for visiting Flandrau State Park with kids:
- I always recommend hiking shoes with good ankle support
- Bring bug spray in the summer
- Have a refillable water bottle with you (and extra water in the car)
- Bring swimsuits, sunscreen, and a cooler with picnic supplies if you’re going to the pool
- Pack snacks and plenty of water, follow Leave No Trace principles, and have fun!
Family Itinerary for Flandrau State Park
Let’s plan your family visit to Flandrau State Park. I’ve included two itinerary ideas in my guide to Flandrau State Park with kids-one for a short visit and one for a longer visit.
If You Only Have 1 Hour
Visiting in summer? Head straight to Flandrau’s sand-bottom swimming pond for a refreshing dip. Lifeguards are on duty when the pond is open. It’s such a fun spot for families to splash and play on a warm summer day!
If you’d rather hike, follow the Grassland Trail. It’s a 1.2-mile out-and-back route that’s a manageable little adventure for families. The paths are pretty wide, so kids have plenty of space to roam freely. If you have time left, let the kids burn off any extra energy at the park’s nature play area. It’s near the parking lot. My daughter LOVED this part of our recent visit, so extra time here will be key.
Either way, leave a little time to explore the historic buildings, too. Many were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Veterans Conservation Corps, and the Works Progress Administration.
If You Have More Time
If you have extra time, you can squeeze in a lot of the park. Start your visit with the Grassland Trail. Tell kids to watch for birds along this route. After your trek, when you’re nice and sweaty, cool off with a swim in the sand-bottom pond.
If you’re not up for the pool, keep exploring on other park trails. Several trails are available, and many connect along the routes.
Where to Stay near Flandrau State Park
If you are planning a family trip to visit Flandrau State Park, here’s where to stay in/near New Ulm, Minnesota, with kids:
- Camp at Flandrau State Park
- Best Western Plus New Ulm
- Best Western Plus Saint Peter in Saint Peter - about 30-40 minutes from downtown New Ulm (we stayed here and loved it!)
- Hilton Garden Inn Mankato Downtown in Mankato - about 30-40 minutes from downtown New Ulm
Have Fun Exploring Flandrau State Park with Your Kids!
Whether you’re planning a quick stop or a full afternoon, Flandrau State Park is a fantastic place to explore with your kids. With hiking trails, a nature play area, and a summer swimming pond, it’s an easy win for families visiting New Ulm!
has a little something for every kind of adventurer. Kids can climb and build in the nature play area. Then, explore wooded trails, spot wildlife, or cool off with a swim when the weather warms up. Of course, winter means snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. No matter which season marks your visit, there are plenty of fun things to do in Flandrau State Park!
This guide to Flandrau State Park with kids is just the starting point. Once you’re there, leave a little room for unplanned exploring. Those simple moments make family adventures even more special and personal. I hope your crew loves this southern Minnesota gem as much as mine did! It is truly one of my favorite state parks in Minnesota.
Unless otherwise noted, all images in this article were taken by and belong to the blog's author, Antonia Grant. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.
