But perhaps you aren’t staying at a campground with showers. Minnesota has 75 state parks and recreation areas where you'll find stunning views and hiking trails of all difficulty and mobility levels. Whether traveling from near or far, the trip is... Getting fit takes hard work and determination. And while many Minnesotans haven’t heard of this small agricultural community, the state park within its boundaries is a well-known and beloved in southern Minnesota campground. Address: Mount Tom is one of only several high points within a 50-mile radius. A variety of trails run through or start in this park. Jul 13, 2017 - Information about camping, hiking, biking and experiencing the beauty at Minnesota State Parks.Check out Minnesota Wonders to find unique Minnesota travel destinations and family fun! There is so much to do and see at this park. You could hike up Mount Tom, with an elevation of 1,375 feet, and get an amazing view of farmland, forests, lakes, and prairies. Visit Website. Here you will find 10 of the best Minnesota parks to visit this summer. There are many things to enjoy at this park. Fishing is a fun activity for all ages. If prompted, most Minnesotans will agree that the North Shore is the most scenic area in the state and along with that, offers some of the best camping in Minnesota. You can take a walk to Loon Island, which is accessible on foot. Lake Louise State Park can lay claim to Minnesota’s oldest, continuous recreation area. The park is full of natural wonders both above and below ground. Featuring Voyageurs National Park, Chippewa National Forest, Superior National Forest, Purvis Ober State Natural Area, Mille Lacs State Wildlife Management Area, Miller-Richter State Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota Slough State Wildlife Management Area Over 200 species of birds have been spotted here. The bluffs are one of the greatest things about this park. Other vegetation includes pine plantations, goat prairies, and fields. With 35 miles of hiking trails and 20 miles of horseback trails along Lake Mille Lacs and the Rum River, Kathio State Park is a water lover’s paradise. Required fields are marked *. At 1 million acres in size and over twenty percent water, this is the largest protected nature area in Minnesota. Visit Website. Schroeder, MN 55613 Visiting some of the state parks is a great way to get outdoors, see some amazing sights, and have fun. From black bears to eagles to wolves and moose, Bear Head Lake State Park is teeming with wildlife. Interested in winter camping in Minnesota? Split Rock Lighthouse State Park offers one of the most iconic Minnesota photo opportunities in the entire state. We’ve saved the best camping in Minnesota for last. There are two different bluffs within the park that will give you a magnificent view of the Mississippi River Valley. The trail explores the rugged landscape formed by the rippling water and elevation beside it, all the while passing through some of the best state parks in Minnesota. Visit Website. 1. There’s an old-oak savannah to enjoy, along with the Seppmann Mill: a 32-foot German-style windmill built in 1862 that is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Get out the fishing poles and fish for bluegill or bass in Brawner Lake or brown trout in the Redwood River. If you would like to make a weekend out of it, there is camping available. We’ve rounded up the best parks that have some of the best campgrounds in Minnesota across the state. Big Woods also offers a children’s playground, a 70-seat amphitheater, and contains a 20-foot limestone waterfall with easy access from its hiking trails. Stop at as many State Parks as you can. 6 Gooseberry Falls State Park The North Shore's most popular park (and one of the most-visited parks in Minnesota) has 20 miles of hiking trails along the Gooseberry River and through the surrounding forest. Camping in Minnesota has been a past-time for many of the Minnesotans. It’s not every day that a hiker can scale a 100-foot fire tower with views reaching all the way to one of the largest lakes in Minnesota. Almost 650 acres in size, this park has everything a camper could want– hiking, fishing, a beach, paddle boards and more. Bear Head Lake has walleye, crappie, and bass. Minnesota has 75 state parks and recreation areas where you'll find stunning views and hiking trails of all difficulty and mobility levels. The sites include rock quarries, historical rice pits, and mining test pits. With so many paths to tread, it can be challenging to know where to start. Here you will be able to take in the beauty of the landscape as well as the waterfall. With amazing indoor and outdoor water parks sure to put a smile on your face, be sure to make Minnesota your next getaway. Top 5 Dog Friendly State Parks in Minnesota. With over 300 campsites (some offering electricity and even a few with internet access), there’s room for the 500,000 visitors that flock to the park each year, with no risk of overcrowding. Jay Cooke State Park south of Duluth on the St. Louis River is a fan favorite and one of the most-visited fall foliage spots! You may also want to visit the Thomas C Salvage Visitor Center where you can find background on the history of the park. Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, and that name is no joke – it really does contain over 10,000 lakes! Access 4283 reviews, 1421 photos & 896 tips of every rv park & campground in Minnesota. National Parks, Forests, and Preserves. One of the best Minnesota campgrounds is located just outside Mankato. Address: With all the wide open space that abounds in Minnesota, there’s no wonder that it’s also home to nearly 70 awe-worthy State parks. User registration is disabled in this demo. Minneopa translates roughly to “water falling twice” in the Dakota Indian language, and waterfall enthusiasts will admire the duo-falls found in Minnesota’s third-oldest state park. Keep in mind though, visitors will need to be comfortable on the water, as the campsites are only accessible via waterways and portages. Check Price on Amazon.com. You may want to bring a jacket, the temperature within the cave is constantly at 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is a list of the Best Family Hiking Trails In Minnesota. Crosby Farm Park Just across the river in St. Paul, this park has some of the prettiest walking trails in town, which lead right up to the river. Read on to find the best camping in the great state of Minnesota! There are 75 state parks and recreation areas here to check out, as well as national park system sites and many county and city parks too. 7 Amazing State Parks Around Minneapolis That Will Blow You Away. Learn how your comment data is processed. Minneopa State Park 263 reviews #1 of 7 Nature & Parks in Mankato "... and was expanded in the 1960s to include the lower reaches of Minneopa Creek and a large tract of prairie." Visit Website. During the other seasons, there’s a swimming beach, 20 miles of cross-country skiing or snowmobiling trails, a playground, and a sledding hill. If you have binoculars, you should bring them. For more information on these (and other) state parks, check out the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, or Explore Minnesota, the state’s official tourism website. the headwaters of the great Mississippi River. I used several criteria in making this list based on the enjoyment and abilities of my bichon dog, Pepper. In fact, a wilderness permit is required to visit the BWCA. Make sure you hike to the Upper and Middle Falls. Minnesota River Trail Mankato. It is possible! For those that love bird watching, this is the place for you. Here are five incredible trails to introduce you to these wild spaces. Roseau, MN 56751 48990 County Road 4 Pause Carousel Skip to main content. Please enter your username or email address. #1 of 5 Nature & Parks in Eagan “ Beautiful grounds, walking trails, beach, covered picnic shelter, kayaking and canoeing- all around great place for family & friends! There are historic sites that you can tour which include a log cabin and the grist mill, which is a steam-powered flour mill. Minnehaha Park 4801 S. Minnehaha Park Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 (612) 230-6400 www.minneapolisparks.org. Whether you want to catch a record-breaking walleye or are simply in need of a relaxing day on the pier, Minnesota state parks has the perfect fishing spot for you. Itasca also contains old-growth pine forest,s including some red pines (the Minnesota State Tree) that are over 200 years old. Currie, MN 56123 90 miles south of Minneapolis, Minneopa is a modest 331 acres and includes 61 campsites (6 electric), and one cabin, as well as modern showers and restrooms. Far and away, the largest and best-known area for camping in Minnesota is the BWCA, located in the Arrowhead region of the state. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Ryan & Kelly Team is one of the top JP Willman Realty teams!Don’t forget to follow us on: Houzez - All rights reserved - Designed and Developed by Favethemes. Make sure you hike to the Upper and Middle Falls. Sibley Park and Waterfront Park are two ideal places to hop on this 10.7-mile hiking trail. Visitors can expect to see ponds, wetlands, and old-growth oak forests along the trails. Expert RVers visited 449 RV Parks in Minnesota. Due to its close proximity to the Twin Cities, Afton was designed with no vehicle access to the camping areas or swimming beach, but they’re easily accessible via a short walk. This Midwestern state borders Canada and Lake Superior and is a hotspot for water activities, especially fishing. Kathio is also one of the most historically-significant parks in the state, containing almost 20 archaeological sites dating back to the Archaic Period. Some of the MN State Parks will be more enjoyable for your pup than others. https://minnesotawonders.com. Yes, Minnesota residents can fish without a fishing license in dozens of state parks, including parks on Mille Lacs Lake, Lake of the Woods and other famed fishing waters. Adventure sport fans will find plenty of fun in these Minnesota State Parks: 1. Voyageurs National Park is uniquely accessible only by boat. Founded in 1891, Itasca State Park is not only the oldest Minnesota state park, but also one of the biggest. Address: With 27 of its 51 campsites offering electricity, this is an awesome campground for the RV camping set, and also offers showers and restrooms for those who camp more rustically. 1 in 2020. This is a list of Minnesota state parks.There are 67 state parks, nine state recreation areas, nine state waysides, and 23 state trails in the Minnesota state park system, totaling approximately 267,000 acres (1,080 km 2). There is a dam on the lake where you may be able to see beavers at work. Your email address will not be published. Minnesota is consistently ranked as one of the best states in the country for fishing. Rather visit in the warm months? The trails here are brief (5 miles) but action-packed. One of the best Minnesota campgrounds is located just outside Mankato. If fishing is what you enjoy most, you can go to one of three streams within the park and fish for brown trout. One of the oldest parks in the state is also one of the most picturesque. Some of the parks and resorts even offer a variety of dryland activities in case the water just isn’t your thing. After spending some time on the lake, you can take the time to visit the Koch Cabin, which was the home of one of the earliest settlers in the area. Wildlife enthusiasts will want to check out the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary, a park within the park that protects old … The best part? Best Minnesota State Parks for Hiking Snowmobile your way across acres of parkland in order to visit art galleries in pretty towns. Minnesota has 66 state parks and nine recreation areas. 20 Best Places To See Fall Colors In Minnesota. Minneapolis has amazing city parks. With cross-country skiing trails, snowmobile routes, and snowshoes for rent, this park is beautiful any time of year. Back in 2010, Bear Head Lake State Park was voted “America’s Favorite Park” during a Coca-Cola ad campaign, and the park’s visitors enthusiastically support this award. Visit Website. The pros know the headwaters of the Mississippi at Itasca State Park are prettier after a fresh snow. You could start your visit by walking the trail that follows the edge of the Temperance River gorge. With so many paths to tread, it can be challenging to know where to start. Parks of the Southern region in Minnesota. Lynd, MN 56157 163 State Park Road You will receive a link to create a new password via email. List of parks in Minnesota. A Minnesota state park is an area of land in the U.S. state of Minnesota preserved by the state for its natural, historic, or other resources. There is a variety of wildlife that can be seen while hiking as well, such as wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, coyotes, and many songbirds. Visit Website. We’ve talked about some amazing drives, and while there’s foliage to be found all across Minnesota, these 10 photos of state parks in the fall will definitely get you ready for the season! Best state parks in Minnesota 10,607 Reviews Explore the most popular state parks in Minnesota with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Minnesota DNR Situated at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca State Park is a place every outdoor-loving Minnesotan needs to visit. Soudan, MN In addition to its hiking trails, there are 4 miles of paved bike paths and even some suitable trails for horseback riding. Cascade River State Park Activities include boating, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and biking. You may also want to take some time to do some fishing while you are at the park. If you’re into camping amongst some of Minnesota’s best-known natural phenomenons, Tettegouche is the place for you! Expert RVers visited 449 RV Parks in Minnesota. Minnesota is an ideal destination for nature lovers because there are so many amazing ways to get active in the outdoors here. There are boats for rent, 45 electric camping sites, 5 cabins, and even one 3-bedroom guest house! If you are looking to see more of the history that the park has to offer, you could take a look at the various historic buildings and archeological sites. Minnesota's oldest state park, Itasca is home to 32,000 acres and more than 100 lakes. Douglas State Trail. Kathio offers 70 campsites (22 are electric), and 5 cabins on the grounds. Its state parks offer up opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Perhaps most popular with Minnesota’s anglers, Voyageurs National Park boasts a healthy population of walleye, pike, muskie, and crappie, among others. While on the lake, you can do some bird watching and take in the beauty of the local birds. Minnesota’s first state park is 32,690 acres and sees over half a million visitors per year. Here you will find 10 of the best Minnesota parks to visit this summer. 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