Minnesota's Former Granite Quarries Are Now A Swimming And Climbing Park

Minnesota is known for its thousands of lakes, but not all of them are created equal. Aside from bordering Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, the state contains freshwater bodies of all shapes and sizes, not to mention unique characteristics. A series of lakes in Central Minnesota shine in a category all their own, as they're the state's only recreational lakes existing within a former granite quarry. 

These lakes are part of the 683-acre Quarry Park & Nature Preserve, located 5 miles southwest of St. Cloud, the top underrated city in the state. The town of St. Cloud is often referred to as Granite City for the role it played in the state's granite industry, which flourished from the latter half of the 19th century through the first half of the 20th. During this period, several companies extracted the prestigious Saint Cloud Red Granite from the area that's now the preserve, exporting it around the world for use as a building material. After the most valuable stone had been removed, the quarry fell into disuse. But Stearns County eventually stepped in to purchase the land and, in 1998, reimagined it as the preserve.

These days, the Quarry Park & Nature Preserve is open throughout the year. The preserve encompasses woodlands, prairies, lush wetlands, rock outcroppings, and 20 different quarry pits, whose mirror-like lakes quietly reflect the surrounding forest. The numbered quarry units are allocated to different recreational activities, promising adventure-filled days both on land and in the water. 

During summer, Quarries #2 and #11 transform into the preserve's much-loved swimming holes. Which quarry you choose depends on what kind of water day you envision. Want a sandy beach alongside your granite-framed lake? Head to Quarry #11. Does jumping off 20-foot-high cliffs sound appealing? Then Quarry #2 it shall be — the vertical cliffs here make superb launching spots. Visitors can reach these quarries via a half-mile walk or less from the preserve's parking lot. These two quarries also have a picnic shelter, where swimmers can take a break to enjoy their lunch. 

Note that lifeguards are not present at the quarries, so swimmers — especially inexperienced ones — must use caution. As the water in both quarries is quite deep, some people prefer to use floaties to support them while swimming, adding pops of bright color and a whimsical vibe to the experience. A final suggestion is to check the Stearns County website before visiting for the most up-to-date information on water conditions. As of October 2026, Quarry #2 is temporarily closed due to the potential presence of blue algae.

Other water-based adventures are also possible at the preserve. Quarries #1, #4, #7, #9, #13, and #18  allow fishing and are stocked with trout in springtime. With a Minnesota fishing license, anglers can fish from shore at these quarries; several also have fishing piers. Finally, those who want to explore beneath the surface of the quarry lakes can dive right into them. With a permit and valid certifications, scuba divers can descend into the underwater worlds of Quarries #1 and #13 to partake in the world's most dangerous and exhilarating watersport. 

Don't want to get wet while visiting the Quarry Park & Nature Preserve? No worries. There are many other ways to play here that don't involve getting near the water. A handful of trails weave through the park, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and — in winter — snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. One popular route is the Quarry Park Outer Loop, a 2.3-mile adventure that takes about an hour, passing the swimming holes and other quarries along the way. A longer route, the 5.9-mile Quarry Park SNA Loop, traverses the preserve's Scientific and Natural Area (SNA). This area in the southern part of the park is home to wildlife like red-shouldered hawks, deer, frogs, and colorful butterflies, along with rare native plants, including Minnesota's largest population of tubercled rein orchid. Note that neither dogs nor bikes are allowed in the SNA. 

As scuba divers brave the quarries' watery depths, other visitors aim to scale its granite walls. Rock climbing is allowed in Quarry #17 (permit required), with more than a dozen routes from 20 to 30 feet high. Routes range from beginner to advanced, with varied features including cracks and traverses. For those who prefer to be rope-free, a separate bouldering area is located near Quarry #20. 

Yet another land-based activity is learning about granite mining at the preserve's exhibits. One of these showcases an 85-foot-tall derrick (the Liberty Derrick) that was used to lift up to 20,000 pounds of stone. Other items on display include a granite cutting saw, some Red Granite pillars, and waste rock. History buffs can learn more about Central Minnesota's granite mining past at the Stearns History Museum in nearby St. Cloud. For those flying into the area from out of town, St. Cloud and the Quarry Park & Nature Preserve are around a 1.5-hour drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), one of the five oldest airports in America.