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—and loud!—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.

Though the days of bison roaming across Minnesota’s prairies are long gone, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Zoo are working together to reintroduce them in several parts of the state, including Minneopa State Park near Mankato. The herd ranges across 331 acres of unbroken prairie, with a “bison drive” that gives visitors the best chance to see the animals, which are the largest mammals in North America.

Located between Park Rapids and Bemidji, Itasca State Park is Minnesota’s oldest and largest state park, and perhaps its best-known, too. With more than 100 lakes inside its borders, it’s a water enthusiast’s dream. But what makes Itasca State Park particularly noteworthy is the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which begins its 2,318-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico inside the park. Large rocks on the river bed create a natural bridge for visitors to walk across this section of the river, which is knee-deep, about 18 feet wide and surrounded by towering pine trees. From the park, the river flows north to Bemidji and east toward Grand Rapids, where it finally begins meandering south.