Sartell on the Mississippi

Sartell lies on both banks of the Mississippi River. The city combines a clear geographical connection to the river with a variety of recreational options: a historic steel bridge connects Sartell’s eastern and western sides, and several parks cater to different outdoor interests. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Sartell, you can start by asking what you’d like your trip to focus on: river scenery, trails and sports, or activities for children.

A Bridge Between the City’s Two Sides

The Old Sartell Bridge, also known as the Sartell Bridge (Bridge 05506), was built in 1914 as a steel Camelback through-truss bridge. Its distinctive design and its role in connecting Sartell’s eastern and western sides give the structure a unique place in the city’s history and landscape. Anyone interested in engineering and historic structures will find a distinctly Sartell subject here. The bridge can also be appreciated as part of the town’s identity, independently of the parks’ recreational offerings.

The Mississippi, the Road, and Planned Cycling Facilities

The Upper Mississippi is considered a place for recreation and aesthetic enjoyment near Sartell. This adds a scenic perspective to the city’s geographical connection to the river. Riverside Avenue, known as West River Road in Sartell, is also part of the Great River Road Scenic Byway. The road name and the Byway designation offer another way to appreciate the Mississippi’s influence.

The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is a separate project: it is planned as a network of cycling facilities following the river’s east bank through the City of Sartell. Its planning status is important for your trip planning; the MRT is described here as a planned network. Sartell therefore offers different connections to the city and river: a historic bridge, a road that is part of the Scenic Byway, and a planned cycling network.

Parks for Activity and Play

Each park has its own highlights. Pinecone Central Park has 1.8 miles of unpaved trails. If you enjoy incorporating trails into your leisure time while traveling, you can take this distance into account when planning. The same park also has baseball and softball fields, offering both trails to explore and facilities for these two sports.

Watab Creek Park has hiking trails. It also has a splash pad that is open from June through August. The seasonal dates apply to the splash pad; the hiking trails are a separate park amenity. For families traveling in the summer months, the splash pad is another activity to consider.

Pinecone Regional Park has a roller-skating rink. Lions Community Park, meanwhile, has an inclusive playground suitable for all children, including children with physical disabilities. These specific differences can help you match your interests to Sartell’s offerings, rather than treating the parks as interchangeable destinations.

More places to discover: Paynesville, Albany, Sauk Centre, Saint Augusta, Waite Park.

See the broader travel overview: Stearns County.