This Quarry And Swimming Hole In Minnesota Must Be On Your Summer Bucket List
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 07, 2022
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Here in Minnesota, there is no shortage of bodies of water to swim in. Whether you like to dip your toe into Lake Superior at Park Point Beach or wade into the St. Croix River at Afton State Park, there are countless places to cool down in the summertime. In central Minnesota, one favorite spot is found at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park. Here, you’ll not only find lovely trails leading to interesting quarry views. You’ll also find a quarry swimming hole that is perfect for taking a dip! Read on below to learn more about this popular spot:
Quarry Park and Nature Preserve is a popular destination in Waite Park, Minnesota. This community is just outside of St. Cloud, about 70 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.
The park covers 683 acres of lovely scenery. There are prairies, woodlands, and wetlands throughout the park. An extensive system of trails leads throughout the park, offering plenty of opportunities to explore.
Along the way, you'll pass through some truly lovely landscapes. The plentiful trees offer a lot of shade, and some areas have interesting plant life that includes prickly pear cactus, ladyslippers, and more.
...and several quarries filled in with water. Most of these unusual attractions are not suitable for swimming, with poor water quality or unsafe areas.
But two quarries are popular swimming holes! Quarry #11 is popular with families thanks to its rock beach and dock. There are plenty of places to lounge, and it's a great place to wade in. The water in this quarry is up to 40 feet deep.
Quarry #2 is much deeper, stretching to 114 feet below the surface. This quarry features high cliffs that swimmers occasionally jump from. Regardless of how you enter, this quarry offers cool water and plenty of space to swim and float.
The Quarry Park and Nature Preserve also has picnic areas, rock climbing, and even scuba diving. Visitors who arrive by car need a vehicle parking permit, which are $5 per day or $25 per season. This is a fun, affordable way to spend some time outdoors in a clean, cool Minnesota swimming hole!
Have you been swimming at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! And if you have any other favorite spots to swim in Minnesota, feel free to let us know about them by filling out our nomination form.
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