quarry park and nature preserve

Park has great trails for hiking year round, the swimming area is busy in the summer, would not bring small kids to swim, no lifeguard on duty.

Once I saw that Quarry Park is the most unique county park in the United States I knew the dogs and the husband had to go there with me. The park features:*Granite reflecting pools*A swimming hole 112 feet deep*Scientific and Natural Areas*Mountain bike paths over billion-year-old bedrock*Trout fishing*Quarry park currently contains 684 acres, it has much to offer for those who love the outdoors. The trails were really easy to walk and only the overlook was too narrow and steep for my taste. My husband trekked up and talked with the field trip group up there and then we continued our walk and the kids got to take photos of the dogs and talk to us from their perch high about on the granite. There are lots of different sites to see while wandering through. Natural features include:*Scenic woodlands*Open prairie*Wetlands*Un-quarried bedrock areasThe park is a walking and biking adventure, no motorized vehicles are allowed. A parking lot at the entrance charges $4 per day or $14 for an annual pass. This is definitely a It is kind of a risk adventure recreation site and you should consider yourself on your own. There are spots for Scuba diving and rock climbing is allowed at designated quarries with permits and liability waivers.We were there on a weekday in Autumn and it was fairly empty. I would imagine summer is crazy busy so plan accordingly. We will definitely go back for another visit.

We check out the Quarry while staying in at cloud for work. The Quarry is about a half mile walk through some great scenery. Definitely a great place to come and relax even if you don't want to jump it's fun to watch people jump. Great place to take pictures.

I'd read in a travel article about the top 10 hidden swimming holes in the US. Being a swimmer and adventure lover, I was thrilled to find that "Quarry Pool" was on our route. It was a bit difficult to find due to road construction nearby, but I am so glad that we found it. It is a half-mile walk down a dirt trail through the woods and across a bridge to get to the swimming hole. Once you are there, you may enter the water from a nicely constructed floating dock right at the end of the trail, OR you can be adventurous (and a rule-breaker) like me and go cliff-jumping! Yes, I admit that the sign said "No Jumping Except Off Dock" but seeing the cliff hooked me. It was a short walk around to the opposite side of the pool to get to the cliff line. There are varying heights (7, 15, 20, and the highest 32-foot) of jumping points, so I went for the tallest one. There were quite a few high school and college students at the pool hanging out and jumping, but it was not a problem because the pool has plenty of room. It is an abandoned quarry, so the cliffs drop right off, making for a safe jump into the 120-foot deep water. What a refreshing adventure!

Great place to spend an afternoon. Trails wind around abandoned quarries, one that you can swim in.Quarrying equipment to look at and posted explanations.Geocaches and earthcaches for those so inclined.Deer, and other critters....Trails are on the easy walking variety.Nearby Natural Scientific Area.Lots and lots of granite.Fun.

We were a bit surprised to find that it was a ten minute walk into the swimming hole but it was well worth it. It was mostly young people along the path but they were obviously a good-natured crew. And the quarry itself is a real classic.(No changing room and just a couple port o potties, though.) Lots of reckless youth jumping off high ledges (sometimes jumping piggyback--I can't look!), but the swimming hole itself is large, clear, and delightfully refreshing. Plenty of room for a leisurely swim. We didn't have the time to visit the rest of the park but it appeared to be a fine place for a hike or a ski--and historically most interesting. We'll be back.

Hiking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and floaties if you plan to swim. Such a wonderful place for anyone that loves to be outdoors! Bring your pooch as well for some exercise! Although the pets are not allowed to swim. Water is clean and cool and a fun place for kids of all ages. Younger kids will need life jackets due to the sheer depth of the swimming quarry.

trails, swimming ponds, trees, birds, busy on weekends when weather is nice, close to St Cloud and I 94 too

The quarries are a wonderful place to visit year round. In the fall, the changing leaves are beautiful, and the smell of autumn is amazing. Winter time is fun for snow hiking, snowshoeing and there are cross-country ski trails. The ski trails are groomed and lit for night skiing. Spring time can start out muddy, but watching the trees and plants budding again is great - and then the pits are ready for swimming when it gets warm enough in the summer! If you are planning to go more than four times a year, it's worth it to get a permit for the whole year - it's only about $12 compared to around $4 per day.

This is a great little swimming hole and park. Ive been here multiple times. The big complaint is the fact that its crowded with crazy youngsters. I may also be a youngster, but I'm not crazy and rude. This is only a minor issue though really, its a giant place with a large variety of rocks to jump from. Another complaint would be the long walk. Honestly if I lived near here and had a pool, I'd swim in my pool. It is still a pretty fun place to go with your friends though, or your family.

fun for the whole family very beautiful place to go for a walk

Long walk in but a cool place to visit and gather with friends. I wish there were designated quarries for teenagers vs. adults - haha! Some of the younger crowd is irresponsible and inconsiderate of other people..

I just visited to go for a walk and get a little exercise. This was a great location! Lots of granite, and great views of the pools. I had never been to a quarry before, so this was very intriguing for me as well.

The fact that you can swim, fish, rock climb, walk, run, and picnic all in the same place is amazing. The park was huge and the views from the observation deck is breathtaking.

Relaxing except for the hundreds of children running around. Space is pretty tight if you want a decent place, so usually show up between 10-10:30 A.M. and wait for the water to warm up! Never been disappointed though, regardless of the children.