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Kilen Woods State Park is located near Lakefield, MN, and an hour and a half away from Mankato, MN. The Des Moines Lobe, a thick layer of glacial ice, used to cover this area of Minnesota. The ice melted several thousands of years ago, leaving behind rolling hills, lakes, and wide prairies. The magnificent nature of Kilen Woods State Park draws in visitors from all sides of the United States regardless of the season.
Opportunities for outdoor activities at Kilen Woods State Park are endless. Hikers may enjoy the trails by Des Moines River, while anglers could stay on the banks, and fish from the river. Dense oak forests are inhabited by hundreds of different bird species, and birdwatchers frequent the area when the weather is warm. Campers who are looking for a quiet place to spend a weekend could book an RV in Cottonwood County and head straight to Kilen Woods State Park.
Des Moines River runs through Kilen Woods State Park, creating a perfect atmosphere for hikers. Not to forget that nature here is incredibly striking, with tall oak trees lining the shores. Visitors who go camping at Kilen Woods State Park could make use of the trails and explore the area. Even though there are hills in this park, the trails are relatively easy. Birdwatchers are often seen on the trails. They are usually looking for herons in shallow water. Wood ducks also make their nests in the wooded areas near the shore.
Fishing and canoeing are quite popular among campers. The river is easily accessible, so if you bring a canoe, enjoy a different view of Kilen Woods State Park. Anglers line the shore of the river, especially when the weather is sunny and warm. They fish for walleye, northern pike, and catfish. Campers who plan to fish at Kilen Woods State Park need to make sure they have all the fishing gear in their rental RV before arriving here since there are no bait shops for miles around.
Kilen Woods State Park has a small campground surrounded by dense woods and gorgeous wildlife. There are 33 sites for long vehicles and RVs that are up to 50 feet long. The campground offers basic amenities such as hot showers, toilets, picnic areas, and a dump station. Each campsite has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill. Electric hookups are available at this campground, and 11 sites have them.
The peaceful and quiet campground is pet-friendly. However, owners need to follow a couple of rules, such as keeping their pets on a leash and making sure they are not running around the campground. The campground is also open all year round. When you feel like recharging your batteries far away from the city noise, contact the campground either by phone or online and make a reservation.
Mankato is a gorgeous college town in Blue Earth County. Visitors enjoy exploring Mankato because it has a youthful vibe and plenty of family-friendly landmarks. Kilen Woods State Park campers who are into art shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see the Carnegie Art Center. Established in 1981, this large gallery space is set on promoting local artists who live in or around Mankato. The gallery itself is divided into two parts – the permanent collection and the monthly gallery. Art aficionados could see various forms of artwork, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, digital art, and many more.
Those of you who want to learn more about Mankato could make a stop at the Blue Earth County Historical Society. The society started with a small exhibition at the turn of the century, but the collection grew larger. Today, visitors may enjoy thousands of artifacts collected by the local historians that tell a complete story of Mankato and how it developed through the centuries. Some more popular displays include the Native American tools and a small diorama depicting Mankato in the 1880s.
The culinary scene here is decent, with several restaurants downtown offering both local and international dishes. Should you feel hungry after your tour of Mankato, you could make a stop here and try a delicious meal in one of these diners.
Those travelers who plan on continuing their motorhome trip through Minnesota consider stocking up on supplies at one of the convenience stores in the commercial district. Gas stations are conveniently placed near the major roads. Once you feel ready to leave Mankato, go east on Route 14 to Rochester, the third-largest city in Minnesota.
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