Spending an afternoon in the rose gardens is always a pleasure!

If you live in Minnesota or coming here for a visit, you need to check out the Rose Gardens, also known as Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens in the heart of St. Cloud, MN. It’s a beautifully two part garden along the banks of the Mississippi river. The gardens are located northwest of the intersection of University Drive SE and Kilian Blvd SE, and along the southernmost portion of Riverside Drive SE.

Munsinger Gardens is spread over 14 acres. Informal with winding flower-bordered paths under tall pines, and date from 1915 when the city purchased the former site of a sawmill as a park.

Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud, MN

The gardens themselves were constructed primarily in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration. Projects from this period included planting trees and flowerbeds, and building rock-lined paths, a lily pond, and a fountain.

The first greenhouse was built in 1938; it has subsequently been replaced. The gardens were refurbished and expanded in the 1980s.

Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud – Nathan looks very grouchy, buy he had fun as well

Clemens Gardens is half the size of Munsinger Gardens. Developed primarily in the 1990s by Bill and Virginia Clemens, who then donated them to the City of St. Cloud. They include six gardens in a formal European style with American plantings and fountains. My personal favorites are the Virginia Clemens Rose Garden and the White Garden, they are absolutely beautiful.

The gardens are open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., spring to fall. There is no admission fee for either gardens.

I took many more pictures of the beautiful flowers and water fountains, but haven’t been able to get them off my phone yet. You have to be smarter than your smart phone. :(

Nick, Nathan, Lily and I spent a wonderful early summer afternoon exploring the gardens. We saw not one but three different wedding groups posing for pictures. Although many other people enjoyed the gardens as well, we never felt crowded or rushed. This is an almost magical place to wander around and relax.

If you’re in the neighborhood, make sure to take the time to stop and smell the flowers, including the many different varieties of roses, at the Rose Gardens. There are over a thousand different roses on display. It will be well worth your time.

Plan Your Visit

Choose to make a visit to Munsinger and Clemens Gardens on your next visit to St. Cloud, MN. They’re easy to find along the magestic and mighty Mississippi River with plenty of parking. Are you a shutterbug? They welcome garden lovers and photograhers alike! But be sure to take a peek at their photography policies. Or maybe you’re interested in attending one of their special Garden events? There is always plenty to see and do. Complete your visit with a stop at the Garden gift shop for a momento.

Have you visited the gardens in St. Cloud yourself? Please tell us your experience.

Have a beautiful day,

Nick and Silke