Alexander Ramsey Park is Minnesota's Biggest City Park and one of its best!

Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls is a stunning yet underrated attraction just a few hours from Siouxland. So what's Ramsey Park and why is it such a must-see family destination in south central Minnesota? Here's what families should know:

What is Alexander Ramsey Park?

bison at the free Ramsey Falls Park Zoo!

Alexander Ramsey Park is the largest municipal park in the state of Minnesota at 256+ acres. Attractions in the park include multiple playgrounds, hiking trails, two waterfalls, a decommissioned Sherman tank, campgrounds and a small zoo. And it's all FREE! Alexander Ramsey Park is also known as Cansayapi Park, which means "the place where the trees turn red" to the Dakota people. The park has been nicknamed the "Little Yellowstone of Minnesota." The park was a popular picnic place beginning in the 1890s and became a Minnesota state park in 1911, until it was transferred to the city of Redwood Falls in 1957.

Where is Alexander Ramsey Park?

Ramsey Park is in Redwood Falls, Minnesota just off Highway 71. Redwood Falls and Ramsey Park are in Minnesota's Redwood County and both the Redwood River and its tributary Redwood Creek run through the park. It's almost exactly 3 hours northeast of Sioux City, Iowa, 1hr 45 minutes east of Brookings, South Dakota, and 2 hours west from the Twin Cities. Minnesota so it's a pretty convenient drive for lots of people either as a day trip on its own or as a great stop on the way to other places. There is ample free parking at Alexander Ramsey Park. The official address is 99 E Oak Street, Redwood Falls, MN 56283

Ramsey Falls

There are two notable waterfalls at Alexander Ramsey Park: Redwood Falls and Ramsey Falls. Ramsey Falls. 

Ramsey Falls is the larger and more picturesque of the two, and features Redwood Creek tumbling over a cliff.

Redwood Falls is also scenic, where the Redwood River tumbles over a manmade dam, which was built in 1902 and creates Redwood Lake.

Both are stunning and well worth viewing when driving through the park!

Shelters and Playgrounds at Alexander Ramsey Park

There are multiple playgrounds at picnic areas at Alexander Ramsey Park, including: 

• Zeb Gray Overlook: this shelter has the best views of Redwood Falls Playground, which is an inclusive playground built in 2021. This shelter is very popular and was quite full when we went to the park.
• Lower Shelter Area: this picnic area near the zoo was built by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression and offers scenic river views and its own playground. This is also the nearest shelter to the campground. This ended up being a super convenient place for a picnic and bathroom break. 
• Ramsey Falls Shelter Area offers the easiest access to the Ramsey Falls and also has its own playground.

Alexander Ramsey Park Zoo

The zoo at Alexander Ramsey Park is free to visit like the rest of the park and includes bison, elk, deer, goats, prairie dogs and fowl including peacocks and geese. There is a coin-operated feed machine for guests who'd like to feed the goats! My kids were impressed by the bison, but they seemed to actually have the most fun watching the geese. 

Camping at Alexander Ramsey Park

Camping is available at Alexander Ramsey Park including 31 electric sites for RVs and a tent area. There's a modern bathhouse with showers, and a Little Free Library for extra fun. All campsites must be reserved using their official online reservation system. When we visited, there were quite a few families camping but the park still felt like there was tons of space for everyone. 

Other fun in Redwood Falls

While in the Redwood Falls, visitors might also enjoy checking out:

• the Redwood County Museum, which adjoins Ramsey Park
• the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center with lap swimming, zero depth entry kids pool, and lily pad splash area
• Or drive to Walnut Grove to visit Plum Creek Park and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum: yes, it's the actual real-life Plum Creek from the Little House on the Prairie Book series!! It's about 45 minutes southwest of Ramsey Park, but if you're a Little House fan, that's a drive that's well worth it. 

When you're hungry, Redwood Falls has a variety of local restaurants and chain restaurants that sound delicious, plus grocery stores where you can easily pick up some picnic ingredients. 

For more information about Alexander Ramsey/Cansayapi Park

To find out more about the park, visit the Redwood Falls tourism website or the Friends of Ramsey Park website. The Redwood Falls tourism people were so helpful in me in planning our trip and I definitely recommend reaching out to them if you need any information about the area!