Parks in Darwin
Mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding are exciting activities often enjoyed on rustic trails in the Dassel-Darwin County Park, midway between Dassel and Darwin on Highway 12. There is also a winter sledding hill and a primitive camp site for groups, by reservation.
School House Park in Darwin is the site of Twine Ball Day, the second Saturday of August; and a farmers market on Saturday mornings from May to September. The park also provides a swing set, playground equipment, and picnic shelter.
River routes, county parks
Canoeing down all or part of the 125-mile North Fork Crow River Canoe Route, one could spend a morning, afternoon, or even a full day or two.
Access points and campsites are located every nine to 15 miles along the river in both Meeker and Wright counties. The route begins at Lake Koronis in Stearns County and ends where the Crow River joins the Mississippi River at Dayton.
Between Lake Francis and Twin Lake is Stanley Eddy Memorial County Park Reserve, which offers gorgeous rolling hills, lakes, and marshes. Hiking, ski trails, picnic areas, and pack-in campsites cover a 620-acre area located along Wright Co. Rd. 2 in French Lake Township.
Swimmers and anglers alike are drawn to Sportsmen’s Park, open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. A clubhouse is available for rent by contacting Dean Winter at (320) 275-2299. It is located two miles west of Dassel on Highway 12, and one mile south of the highway along the north shore of Lake Washington.
During warm-weather months, the Lake Francis Recreation Area, located four miles northeast of Kingston on Lake Francis, is a wooded retreat complete with a swimming area, boating, and fishing.
Spring Lake County Park, located one mile north of Highway 12 on Meeker Co. Rd. 4 between Spring Lake and Long Lake, just north of Dassel, is a spacious place for a large gathering. The wide open, hilly park offers a boat launch, picnic shelters, playground, ballpark, tennis/volleyball courts, and ample parking.
Finnish Memorial Park is located one-half mile west of Kingston and Highway 15 on Meeker Co. Rd. 17, along with a curve on the North Fork of the Crow River. It’s a tribute to the original settlers in the Kingston area, and is situated next to a turn-of-the-century cemetery.
The park offers a cool retreat on hot summer days, featuring a picnic shelter, playground, and tennis court. It’s especially popular with canoers and tubers, who make Kingston a stop on trips down the scenic river.
Snowmobile enthusiasts have access to hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails in both Wright and Meeker counties. The Meeker County trails, which can be entered just northwest of the city of Dassel, connect with the Glacial Lakes, Stearns, and Luce Line trails.
