Quarry Park & Nature Preserve, Minnesota

Home to one of the newest dive sites in the United States , the 643-acre Quarry Park & Nature Preserve is in Waite Park , a suburb of St. Cloud , Minnesota . The park and preserve is a recent addition to the Stearns County Parks System and has been known as "Hundred Acres Quarry." Until 1992 the site had been private property. 

The preserve consists of 20 quarries, four of which opened for diving last year: quarries 1, 11, 13 and 18. Divers should note the various underwater hazards such as tree snags, abandoned quarrying equipment, and loose rock piles.

Divers need to show their C-card and a photo ID to obtain their free Quarry Park dive permit, plus use a dive flag and pay for parking. All divers must dive with a buddy. Each diver also must sign a permit acknowledging the rules for diving the quarries and a liability waiver. A full set of dive rules is available at www.co.stearns.mn.us/documents/QPScubaGuidelines.pdf.

Depths: Range from 39 feet (12 m) in Quarry 13 to 65 feet (20 m) in Quarry 1.

Visibility: 6-24 feet (2-7 m).

Water temperature: Minnesota-cold.

Aquatic life: Rainbow trout, which is stocked there, and other fish.

Fees: Diving is free but parking costs $4 per day or $14 for an annual permit.

On-site amenities: The park and preserve includes granite reflecting pools, a rock climbing area, a swimming hole 116 feet (35 m) deep, scientific and natural areas, mountain bike paths over billion-year-old bedrock, and trout fishing.

More info: Visit www.co.stearns.mn.us/1450.htm or call (320) 255-6172.

Open: Daily 8 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset.

Getting there: From Highway 23 in Waite Park , turn south onto 10th Avenue . Turn right at the stop sign, onto Seventh Street South/County Road 137. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve is 7/10 of a mile from that intersection, on the left.