Wander Minnesota: Flandrau State Park

On the edge of New Ulm is Flandrau State Park. It's named after Charles Flandrau, a frontiersman who spent years exploring the Minnesota River Valley before settling near Traverse des Sioux and became a prominent citizen, eventually serving in both the territorial and state supreme courts. He also was tremendously active in the Minnesota Historical Society and wrote several publications for them, documenting Minnesota's early days.

So it seems fitting that the state park named after him has a particularly attractive structure built by the WPA in 1938, providing historic significance to the park.

Today the beautiful stone building serves as a picnic shelter, which can be reserved in advance, and there are restrooms overlooking the swimming "pool."

The Big Cottonwood River runs through the park, which has a varied terrain of both flat prairie and river bluffs, with hiking trails through both. The area is heavily wooded, and during summer, be sure to bring plenty of bug spray; in fall, bring a camera—the colors are spectacular.

The swimming "pool" is unique in that it's a kind of hybrid: it's a sandy bottom pool, like a lake or pond, but it's chlorinated, like a pool. Check with the park for open hours and when there are lifeguards on duty.

There are more than 90 campsites at the campground, about a third of which have electric hookups. There are also a few walk-in sites, and two camper cabins.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.