Buffalo River State Park

"Four stars for young families"

I'd give it a five, but as in many other parks in Minnesota, the mosquitoes and/or ticks can sometimes make it uncomfortable for families with small children like ours.  This park is a HIGH four stars though because of the following:

-excellent and very safe swimming pond with okay bathrooms (a real gem with tons of sand for kids to dig in, no biting flies, no swimmers itch, lifeguards, nearby picnic tables  --mosquitos come out late afternoon so be prepared to make a run for it!)
-great stroller-friendly hiking trails
-visitor center with wildlife displays and viewing area
-lovely group camp area (sometimes the river there is shallow enough so kids can walk across and play in it)