FOR HIKING

Great River Bluffs State Park
Winona

The Mississippi River is one of Minnesota's most beloved and impressive natural wonders. Its most awe-inspiring stretch is best viewed from the 500-foot-tall bluffs at Great River Bluffs State Park near Winona. The park has four trails overlooking the north, south, east, and King's Bluff, offering panoramic vistas of the river and valley.    

William O’Brien State Park
Marine on St. Croix 

Found along the rushing St. Croix River about an hour northeast of Minneapolis, William O’Brien State Park is a perfect, city-adjacent getaway for many Minnesotans and visitors. The 1,653-acre park encompasses rolling, wooded hills and 12 hiking trails. 

Camden State Park
Lynd 

Just a few miles outside Marshall, you’ll find some fantastic hiking at Camden State Park. The park is centered on the Redwood River and has a healthy mix of woods and prairies with 15 miles of hiking trails, including a stunning view from the top of the park’s moraines (hills left by the glaciers). You can also explore the park’s “Coteau des Prairies,” or highland prairies, as French explorers once called them.  

Find more stellar hiking spots in Minnesota' state parks. 

FOR CAMPING

Red River State Recreation Area
East Grand Forks 

The Red River State Recreation Area was created after the 1997 flood devastated East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota. Structures and homes were removed, and the land became a 1,200-acre state recreation area with more than 100 campsites, including electric sites with full hookups (sewer and water). 

The park has trails for walking and biking, picnicking, and rivers for fishing and boating. Located within the city, visitors can access outdoor recreational opportunities, shopping and dining within walking distance. 

Afton State Park
Hastings 

This popular state park outside the Twin Cities offers yurts. Think of yurts like camping lite: an authentic, backcountry experience with bunk beds, shelter, and a wood stove to smooth out some of the more intimidating aspects of tent camping. Interior furnishings include bunk beds, a table and chairs or stools, and a wood-burning stove. 

Visitors will find a picnic table, fire ring, nearby drinking water, and vault toilets outside. For winter visitors, logs to feed the wood stove are complimentary. Other yurts are at Glendalough State Park and Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. 

St. Croix State Park
Hinckley  

Totaling over 34,000 acres, St. Croix State Park is Minnesota’s largest state park and offers plenty of places to camp. Between the Saint Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway and the Kettle River, this park is a must-do. 

There are drive-in campsites, electric sites, backpack sites, walk-in sites, canoe-in sites, horse camps, group camps, cabins, and guesthouses.    

Find more places to camp in Minnesota. 

FOR FAMILIES

Sibley State Park
New London 

Sibley State Park has something for everyone (even geocachers). While teens trek to the top of Mount Tom for one of the best views in Central Minnesota, younger hikers can explore the mostly flat Pondview Trail near the visitor center. On hot days, all ages will enjoy cooling off together at the park’s popular swimming beach. 

Fort Snelling State Park
St. Paul 

You might not suspect a state park right across from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, but Fort Snelling State Park is a popular spot. Turkeys and deer will frequently greet you upon your arrival, and you may spot a few more as you proceed to the visitor center, where the trail to Pike Island begins. 

The island has a choice of one, two and three-mile loop trails. The three-mile trail will lead you along the shoreline to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. You can picnic and swim at the park’s beach in the summer, and don’t miss their popular maple syrup events in the spring.  

Flandrau State Park
New Ulm 

In the summer, Flandrau State Park in New Ulm is a popular spot for families with its sand-bottom swimming pond, picnic areas, cornhole, volleyball, and camper cabins. Take a hike along the Hiking Club Trail as it loops through the park’s varied landscapes, watch for wildlife, and more. 

Find more family-friendly things to do in Minnesota. 

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Preston 

Did you know Minnesota has caves? Near the charming town of Preston, Mystery Cave is about a 10-minute drive from the park office. It was discovered in 1937 and is the longest cave in Minnesota, over 13 miles underground. The one-hour Scenic Tour will provide opportunities to see stalactites, stalagmites, a turquoise lake and more. These guided tours, both wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly, are offered daily throughout the summer and on weekends in spring and fall.    

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Soudan 

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine’s biggest draw is its guided, 1.5-hour tour of the Soudan Underground Mine, which lets you follow in the footsteps of the miners who scoured the area searching for iron ore from 1892 to 1962. In addition to exploring the mine, you can go boating or fishing on Lake Vermilion, hike through dense old-growth pine forests, or take a bike ride on the Mesabi Trail. 

Blue Mounds State Park
Luverne 

Did you know you can go rock climbing in Minnesota? Blue Mounds State Park ranks among the most iconic landscapes of southwestern Minnesota, blending wild prairie, majestic outcroppings of pink Sioux quartzite, and even a herd of bison. Rock climbers are drawn to the park to experience the unique beauty of one of Minnesota’s hardest rocks, which features pink, purple, and red colors. Permits are required to climb, are free, and are valid for one calendar year. Climbers must follow all safety guidelines and climb within designated areas only. 

Find more unique things to do.

Itasca State Park
Park Rapids 

Established in 1891, Itasca State Park is the oldest Minnesota State Park and home to the Mississippi Headwaters, where America's most legendary river begins its 2,552-mile journey south. Visiting the birthplace of the Mississippi River is undoubtedly the main attraction at Itasca, but it's far from the only thing to do at this incredible 32,000-acre state park. 

Some other popular activities include narrated history/wildlife boat tours of Lake Itasca, exploring the park's 49 miles of excellent hiking trails, boating or fishing on one of the park's 100 lakes, and climbing the Aiton Heights observation tower for an eagle's-eye view of the hardwood forest. Grab a bite to eat or stay at the Historic Douglas Lodge located within the park. 

Minneopa State Park
Mankato 

About five miles west of Mankato, you'll find southern Minnesota’s largest waterfall at Minneopa State Park. Like Blue Mounds on the other side of the region, Minneopa is also home to a bison herd. The herd ranges across 331 acres of unbroken prairie and is viewable from inside your vehicle via the Bison Drive Road.  

Jay Cooke State Park
Carlton 

It doesn’t swing or squeak as much as it once did, but this historic bridge over the raging St. Louis River is still a big draw for kids and adults at Jay Cooke State Park. Go across and back, then take the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) Trail west along the river behind the historic River Inn Interpretive Center. You can cross the road in a half mile to continue the 1.8-mile loop trail or return the way you came.   

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Two Harbors 

One of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is in Two Harbors, about 50 minutes north of Duluth along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Best known for its historic lighthouse, visitors can also hike along scenic trains along the lake and link up to the Superior Hiking Trail. 

It’s also popular due to its campsites along Lake Superior, Pebble Beach, walking, biking or hiking along the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, and its annual lighting event on November 10 to commemorate the sinking of the freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald and all other vessels lost on the Great Lakes. 

Add more checkboxes to your bucket list.

Maplewood State Park
Pelican Rapids 

Near Pelican Rapids, Maplewood State Park lies in a transition zone between forests and prairies, creating a uniquely beautiful landscape. The hilly central Minnesota park is home to over 25 miles of magnificent hiking trails, providing incredible wildlife viewing opportunities and hilltop vistas of the region's distinctive terrain. 

This is a popular spot for fall colors, so plan your trip around Otter Tail County for a full-on fall adventure. 

Lake Maria State Park
Monticello 

Up by Monticello near St. Cloud, visit Lake Maria State Park to bask among one of the state's few remaining stands of "Big Woods"—the maple, oak and basswood forest that once covered much of south-central Minnesota. In its heyday, the Big Woods covered 3,030 square miles with trees so thick sunlight could barely touch the forest floor. Lake Maria State Park is one of the few places it still occupies today.  

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Nerstrand 

Located just one hour south of Minneapolis is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, just outside Northfield. A popular spot for its waterfall, it’s even more spectacular come fall. Walk along the Trout Lily Boardwalk for vistas of Prairie Creek and the Entrance to Hope trail with a full canopy of trees. 

Southern Minnesota is the last call for fall colors, so this spot is a perfect way to end the season. Use the DNR's Fall Color Finder to track Minnesota’s changing landscape. 

Savanna Portage State Park
McGregor 

Savanna Portage State Park has 15,818 acres of rolling hills, lakes, and bogs. Surrounded by birch, aspen, and some conifers, this park comes alive in the fall. The Continental Divide marks a water division, with water to the west flowing into the Mississippi River and water to the east running into Lake Superior. 

Park visitors can hike the Continental Divide Trail, and the Continental Divide Overlook offers spectacular and colorful views.  

Find more fall color spots in Minnesota. 

FOR WATERFALLS

Grand Portage State Park
Grand Portage 

Minnesota’s highest waterfall awaits discovery at Grand Portage State Park on the Canadian border. Stop in the visitor center to see exhibits about the Anishinaabe people, then head out the back door to a half-mile paved, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly trail. It leads to High Falls, a magnificent 120-foot waterfall surrounded by several viewing platforms, where you can soak in the view, take photos and, often, see rainbows. 

Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Grand Marais 

Follow Lake Superior’s shoreline about 30 miles southwest to see Minnesota’s most unusual waterfall: Devil’s Kettle on the Brule River. Visitors can park or camp at Judge C.R. Magney State Park north of Grand Marais and hike to the waterfalls where the water splits. One side tumbles 50 feet into a pool that flows to Lake Superior, and the other plunges underground and disappears. 

Where that water went was a mystery to onlookers and geologists until 2017, when DNR scientists confirmed that the water resurfaced downstream.  

Gooseberry Falls State Park
Two Harbors 

Known as the “Gateway to the North Shore,” Gooseberry Falls State Park near Two Harbors is well worth a stop, even if your ultimate destination is farther north. Situated on the banks of Lake Superior, the park is home to five waterfalls, including three awe-inspiring falls where the water of the Gooseberry River roars through a rocky gorge on its way to Lake Superior. Trails allow visitors to get an up-close view of the falls, and wading in the river where the current is easy is a great way to get a different view. 

Minneopa State Park
Mankato 

Southern Minnesota’s largest waterfall can be found at Minneopa State Park. Its gentle creek burbles through the hardwood forest until it falls like a curtain across two terraces in a mossy gorge west of Mankato.   

Find more waterfalls in Minnesota. 

Lake Bronson State Park
Lake Bronson 

You'll find Lake Bronson State Park in the far northwest corner of the state, an area first used by Native Americans, then pioneers. The park was a Works Progress Administration project, which resulted in the construction of a dam and several now-historic buildings, including the largest observation/water tower in the Minnesota State Parks system. 

Fishing is a year-round sport here, with walleye, pike, perch and large- and small-mouthed bass all found in Lake Bronson. Interpretive signage provides information about the prairie and aspen parklands. 

Glendalough State Park
Battle Lake 

Located in Otter Tail County, one of the most popular fishing spots in the state, Glendalough State Park is a great spot to wet a line—fish for panfish on the clear Annie Battle Lake. Fishing kits are available to all park visitors. Just visit the park office to borrow one during your visit. 

Pro tip: you do not need a Minnesota fishing license to go fishing within a Minnesota state park. 

Lake Shetek State Park
Currie 

With the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota, there’s no doubt the fishing is right at Lake Shetek State Park. Find great fishing for walleye, northern, crappie, and bullheads. 

If you’re looking for more ways to get out on the water, the park includes a swimming beach, boat launch, boat, canoe, kayak rentals, and plenty of places to camp. 

Hayes Lake State Park
Roseau 

Hayes Lake State Park has hundreds of square miles of untamed land and scenic views within the Beltrami Island State Forest. Only electric motors may be used on Hayes Lake, and anglers can expect to find crappie, sunfish, largemouth bass, and northern. 

Find more places to go fishing in Minnesota. 

Buffalo River State Park
Glyndon 

Minnesota's native tallgrass prairies are few and far between these days, but at Buffalo River State Park, you can still see what the state looked like before colonization. Situated about 15 miles east of Moorhead, you can hike the park's 12 miles of winding trails through one of Minnesota's most extensive remaining prairies. 

The park is especially popular among birders, who flock here to see bobolinks, prairie chickens, marbled godwits and upland sandpipers, among other, more common species.   

Beaver Creek Valley State Park
Caledonia 

Located in the bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, Beaver Creek Valley State Park provides some of the most desirable habitats for the nesting Louisiana waterthrush and Acadian flycatcher, which are of special concern in Minnesota. The park is excellent for viewing warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, flycatchers, wrens, tanagers and woodpeckers.    

Frontenac State Park
Frontenac 

Frontenac State Park, located on the Mississippi River 10 miles southeast of Red Wing, is one of the state’s premier birding areas. It boasts the highest species count of any park in the state, with a whopping 273 birds calling the park home for part or all year. Bald eagles are commonly seen in the fall, winter, and spring, as well as in a few nests. Several species of warblers visit yearly, particularly in the first part of May. Catch various bird walks throughout the year.  

Lac qui Parle State Park
Watson 

Located on the Minnesota River, Lac qui Parle State Park means the "lake that speaks." If you visit during the spring or fall migrations, you will hear thousands of migratory Canada geese and other waterfowl. The river draws avocets, other shorebirds, ducks, five species of geese and American white pelicans.      

Find more places to go birding in Minnesota. 

Lake Bemidji State Park
Bemidji 

Travel to Lake Bemidji State Park in late June or early July to see Minnesota’s beautiful state flower, the pink and white showy lady’s slipper, and various other eye-catching (and even fly-catching!) plants. Interpretive signs will help you spot the insect-eating sundew, pitcher plants, and lady slippers along a quarter-mile boardwalk that zigzags through the park’s spruce/tamarack bog.  

Glacial Lakes State Park
Starbuck 

Glacial Lakes State Park is set in scenic glacial hills and is surrounded by windflowers and prairie grasses. The park is at a crossroads between original prairie land and hardwood forests, preserving some of the rare native prairie. As you enter the park, you’ll be met with a hillside of blazing stars, prairie clover, and a big little bluestem. 

Along with prairie, the 2,500-acre park has virgin oak forest, marshes and lakes to wander among. Check in at the park office to see what wildflowers might bloom during your visit. 

Big Bog State Recreation Area
Waskish 

Dubbed “Minnesota’s last true wilderness,” this two-part recreation area includes northern and southern units. Inside Big Bog State Recreation Area, a 500-square-mile peat bog, the largest in the lower 48 states, gives you an up-close look at the unique plants and animals that call the area home. 

Many native plants here are on Minnesota’s endangered or threatened species list. You can also spot orchids, sundew, purple pitcher plants and other bog inhabitants. 

Carley State Park
Plainview 

Spring comes first to the southern part of the state, and Carley State Park near Winona is a great spot to visit. They host the Bluebell Festival early in May when Virginia bluebells cover the hillsides like a blue river. Other spring wildflowers — Dutchman’s breeches, trout lily, large-flowered bellwort, spring beauty — brighten the ground like a quilt of colors. 

Find more places to see wildflowers in Minnesota.  

Lake Bemidji State Park
Bemidji 

Various state parks throughout the state offer an all-terrain, electric-powered wheelchair that can be used on designated trails within the park. The chair is free, but you must reserve it in advance, sign a waiver, and have a state park vehicle permit. 

Lake Bemidji State Park offers wheelchair rentals along with spectacular fall colors, a lush maple forest, spring flowers and a unique bog walk. 

Are you red-green colorblind? See colors outdoors where you haven't before with Lake Bemidji State Park’s unique pilot program, which offers three sizes of colorblind glasses for standard adults and youth and wrap-around (for over your existing glasses) to experience the beauty of Minnesota. 

There are also four wheelchair-accessible campsites where you can sleep under the stars.  

Lake Carlos State Park
Carlos 

Lake Carlos State Park, 10 miles north of Alexandria, lies on a transitional zone between prairies to the southwest and pine forests to the northeast. It offers 1,154 hills dotted with maple and basswood forest, marshes and tamarack bogs, wrapped around a deep, clear lake. It provides an accessible campsite in the lower campground and one site in the upper campground, and both are electric. Pack a picnic by the water, or hike along the Hidden Lake Trail to see wildflowers, birds, and a bald eagle nest.  

Myre-Big Island State Park
Albert Lea 

Near Albert Lea, Myre-Big Island State Park has something for everyone. The park has an oak savanna, wetlands, northern hardwood forests, grasslands, and resorted prairies. Other accessible amenities include the half-mile Accessible Trail, the Big Island Picnic Area, and the Big Island Cabin, which accommodates up to five people.  

Find out more about navigating Minnesota with a disability.

Great River Bluffs State Park
Winona 

Great River Bluffs State Park contains two Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) (King's and Queen's Bluff) near Winona. The King's Bluff trail offers a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River Valley.  Come winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails wind through the park's oak-hickory woods, pine plantations and goat prairies. 

Bear Head Lake State Park
Ely 

Bear Head Lake State Park, secluded in the vast North Woods near Ely, epitomizes northern Minnesota's "Up North" vibe: pristine lakes in every direction, dense pine forests, rolling hills and skies so blue they look like a postcard. Bear Head Lake is quiet and beautiful and offers 9 miles of cross-country ski trails (7 miles groomed), four and one-half miles of snowmobile trails connecting to the Taconite State Trail, and you can go snowshoeing anywhere in the park.  

Wild River State Park
Center City 

Wild River State Park in Center City is 19 miles of the upper “wild and scenic” portion of the St. Croix River. In winter, trails are groomed for classic and skate skiing and range from easy to challenging. There are also 5 miles of trails for snowshoeing and winter hiking.  

Find more things to do during the winter.

Pets are welcome in Minnesota's state parks if they are kept on a leash six feet or shorter and personally attended to at all times. Only service animals are allowed in state park buildings, lodgings, camper cabins, yurts, tipis, on tours, or in beach areas. Emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals do not meet the ADA definition of a service animal are prohibited from entering any park buildings. Service animals may accompany their owners unrestricted. 

Fort Snelling State Park
St. Paul 

Smack dab in the middle of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Fort Snelling State Park boasts 18 miles of hiking trails to give you and your buddy those middle-of-nowhere feels without leaving town. 

Be sure to make the trek to Pike Island: A mile and a half of gravel trails will take you to the eastern end, where your pup can dip their toes in the place where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet.   

Frontenac State Park
Frontenac 

Located on the Mississippi River in Frontenac between Lake City and Red Wing, Frontenac State Park offers gorgeous hiking, birdwatching, camping, and more. Dog owners and pups enjoy the cart-in and group campsites for added privacy and the swim beach off the Sand Point trail.  

Find more dog-friendly things to do in Minnesota.

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Onamia 

Visit the sites of ancient Native American villages at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, a National Historic Landmark in Onamia. The half-mile Touch the Earth Trail has a self-guided interpretive trail with a boardwalk through a bog and is also well-suited for hiking with kids. If you come in late September or early October, you can climb to the top of the park’s 100-foot fire tower for a spectacular view of the surrounding area. 

Fort Snelling State Park
St. Paul 

It’s hard to visit Fort Snelling State Park at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers and not feel the history it exudes. Sitting atop a bluff that overlooks the two rivers is Historic Fort Snelling itself, a military installation built in the 1800s. 

The 3,711-acre park features an extensive system of trails, some of which lead to the Dakota Memorial. The wood and brick memorial is a somber place, serving as a marker of the fighting between the United States and members of various Dakota Indian bands and an essential reminder of this violent chapter of Minnesota history. 

Crow Wing State Park
Brainerd  

Just south of Brainerd, where the Crow Wing River meets the Mississippi, the area currently known as Crow Wing State Park was home to one of Minnesota's most important villages for early settlers and traders. Although much of the original settlement is long gone, the park's recreation of Old Crow Wing Village provides ample historical insights. 

Walk the historic Red River Ox Cart Trail, past the Beaulieu House and more as you bask in this Minnesota state park's natural beauty and well-preserved history. 

FOR SWIMMING

Father Hennepin State Park
Isle 

Located on the southern shore of Lake Mille Lacs, Father Hennepin State Park is the gateway to Minnesota's third-largest lake and a must-visit for anyone making the scenic drive along its shoreline. This small, 320-acre park is notable for its gorgeous hardwood forests, access to the water, and a natural sand beach—one of the few swimming beaches on Lake Mille Lacs.  

Zippel Bay State Park
Williams 

In the far northwestern reaches of Minnesota, Zippel Bay State Park is defined by its location on Lake of the Woods — one of the world's largest lakes and second in size only to Lake Superior here in Minnesota. Known as "the walleye capital of the world," Lake of the Woods is legendary among anglers seeking Minnesota's state fish. 

A long wooden fishing pier extends far into Zippel Bay and offers plenty of space to cast your line or take a boat on the water to seek out walleye, northern pike, perch and bullhead. For sunbathers and swimmers, Zippel Bay also has more than 2 miles of sandy beach along the shore of Lake of the Woods. 

McCarthy Beach State Park
Side Lake 

McCarthy Beach State Park's sugar sand beach has been a popular summer spot for over 70 years. The lake offers nice shallow water for kids and plenty of shade for parents to watch safely nearby. The restroom building is accessible and offers changing rooms. There’s also a fishing pier, which is a great spot to catch a bluegill or crappie.  

Find more ways to enjoy Minnesota’s many lakes.

Jay Cooke State Park
Carlton 

Admire the rocky landscape of Jay Cooke State Park, just south of Duluth. It’s a popular spot for hikers and bicyclists, but if you’re interested in geology, plan a trip to see the rugged rock formations, water-eroded gorges, and steep valleys. The geological makeup includes slate, greywacke, and red clay. The slate beds were formed from original layers of mud and sand, which were deposited in a sea that occupied the area 1.9 billion years ago.  

Moose Lake State Park
Moose Lake 

The Agate Geological Interpretive Center at Moose Lake State Park is dedicated to agates, the state’s gemstone. Agates are the multicolored chalcedony and quartz masterpieces that are surprisingly common in the region. The park is covered by glacial till and outwash deposits from the last glacier. The large ice blocks melted after the glacier retreated and created Moosehead and Echo Lakes within the park.  

Interstate State Park
Taylors Falls 

Located on the rushing St. Croix River about an hour's drive northeast of downtown Minneapolis, Interstate State Park is a popular spot for canoers, kayakers, hikers, campers, rock climbers and geologists alike. Its scenic cliffs and rushing river were carved by retreating glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, and the area now boasts distinctive rock formations and glacial potholes found in few other places on Earth. As one of eight waterways initially designated as a "National Wild and Scenic River," the canoeing and kayaking at Interstate is widespread.  

Build a trip around the agates at Moose Lake.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• A vehicle permit is required to enter Minnesota's state parks. Save time by ordering one online before you arrive at the park. 

• For comfort and safety on the trail, be sure everyone has appropriate footwear (tennis shoes, not flip-flops). 

• Bring a water bottle for each hiker and plenty of sunscreen, bug spray and snacks. 

• Pick up a paper map at the park office or load a GeoPDF map before you leave. (Internet service may be spotty in the woods.) 

• Accessible trails are stroller-and-wheelchair-friendly. 

• If your dog is hiking with you, keep it on a leash and clean up afterward. 

• Don't pick wildflowers or otherwise disturb the landscape. "Take only photos; leave only footprints." 

Find out more about Minnesota's spectacular park system.