Tour Historic Fort Ridgely and wander through the ruins of this once thriving outpost. Learn about the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, a major event in Minnesota's early history. Visit the Fort site and the cemetery to learn more. For recreation, this park offers plenty. In the summer, hike or ride the trails on horseback, fish the trout stream, camp (drive-in and walk-in sites are available), or stay overnight in the renovated farmhouse. In the winter, ski, snowmobile, or stay overnight at the chalet.

Wildlife
White-tailed deer, red and gray foxes, raccoons, mink, beavers, hawks, owls, Canada geese, wild turkeys, reptiles and many songbirds can be seen in the park.

History
Fort Ridgely State Park is one of Minnesota's oldest state parks. The fort's role in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 led to an early push to establish a monument that would preserve the site. In 1896 a bill was passed to purchase the fort grounds as a memorial. More acres were purchased in 1911 when the site was established as a state park. The fort was named 'Ridgely' in honor of three men by that name who died during the Mexican War.

Geology
The last glaciers to cover this part of Minnesota retreated 12,000 years ago. They left behind almost 200 feet of sand, gravel, and rocks, called glacial till, on top of a layer of kaolin clay sediments and bedrock. Deposits of this clay are exposed in banks along Fort Ridgely Creek in the northern part of the park. Fort Ridgely State Park sits atop two distinct layers of this glacial till.

Landscape
For over a century, the land that is now Fort Ridgely State Park has been affected by logging, farming, grazing, and development. The open bluffs overlooking the Minnesota River have been the least disturbed of any area in the park and contain the best displays of prairie wildflowers and grasses. The park includes a variety of meadows, each distinct in character. Some have scattered prairie wildflowers and grasses; others are dense stands of non-native plant species. On the park's bluffs, and by some of the meadows, are large bur oak trees. At one time, these oaks grew out in the open surrounded only by prairie grasses. These areas, known as Oak Savanna, gradually disappeared as the prairie was plowed and its fires suppressed. Large ash, basswood, sugar maple, hackberry, and black cherry trees grow in the park's deep ravines and along Fort Ridgely Creek.