Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks In Minnesota
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Trent Jonas
Author
With its diverse landscapes and four distinct ecosystems, Minnesota is blessed with incredible natural beauty and a rich, multi-faceted history. Fortunately, many of these singular natural areas and historic sites have been protected as state parks, waysides, recreation areas, and trails. Of these, we’ve highlighted what we see as the best state parks in Minnesota.
Most Popular State Parks In Minnesota
Of the five most popular units in the state park system, three are located along Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Gooseberry Falls State Park is the most visited park in the system, Tettegouche State Park is fourth and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is fifth. The latter two appear later in this list, but you could easily hit these three parks in a single North Shore road trip. The top three most visited parks in Minnesota, on the other hand, showcase a wide variety of our state’s incredible natural landscapes.
1. Gooseberry Falls State Park
Gooseberry Falls State Park, 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Things to do in Gooseberry Falls State Park. Gooseberry Falls is the most popular of the Minnesota state parks, logging more than 750,000 annual visitors in recent years. Renowned for its waterfalls, it also offers excellent hiking - and hikers who make their way to the Gooseberry River’s Upper Falls, which are more than a mile from the often-crowded visitor center, will enjoy a beautiful, Northwoods waterfall without the throngs of visitors. The rugged Lake Superior shoreline at the park’s picnic area is another beautiful spot at Gooseberry Falls that should not be missed.
2. Fort Snelling State Park
Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Rd, St Paul, MN 55111, USA
Things to do in Fort Snelling State Park. Fort Snelling is the second most-visited and by far the most urban of the parks on this list - though you wouldn’t know it when you’re in the park. Despite its location in the heart of the Twin Cities metro area, it’s an excellent spot for hiking in bottomland hardwood forest, lingering on the banks of the state’s two largest rivers, and learning about the area’s lengthy history, as part of the Dakota culture and later as an American military outpost. Fortunately, there is plenty of excellent interpretive signage at Fort Snelling. Parts of this area also overlap with National Park Service units of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, such as the Coldwater Spring site.
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3. Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Pk Dr, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Things to do in Itasca State Park. Itasca is another one of folks’ favorite Minnesota state parks. It’s the oldest in the state - and one of the oldest state parks in the USA - and it’s the second largest. It’s famously home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, as well as some of the best-preserved stands of old-growth forest in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. With more than half a million annual visitors, Itasca State Park is open year-round and is popular for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. If you’re interested in kayaking Lake Itasca, rentals are available in the park. The Heartland State Trail, one of the most venerable state hiking and bike trails, will connect to the park in the near future, opening up even more recreational possibilities.
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Best State Parks In Minnesota To Camp
There’s really no better way to enjoy what our state parks have to offer than to immerse yourself with an overnight getaway – whether for a night, a weekend, or longer. We think our parks are home to some of the best campgrounds in Minnesota, and these are our favorites for overnight stays.
4. Frontenac State Park
Frontenac State Park, 29223 County 28 Blvd, Frontenac, MN 55026, USA
Things to do in Frontenac State Park. Located between Red Wing and Lake City, Frontenac State Park overlooks Lake Pepin on the bluffs along the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River. Campers will enjoy its variety of options, including 58 drive-in campsites (19 of which are electric), six cart-in sites, and two backpacking sites. Visitors relish the bluff top trails, dramatic rock formations, and in fall, stunning foliage in the hardwood forest.
5. Afton State Park
Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033, USA
Things to do in Afton State Park. With its location near the Twin Cities metro, Afton State Park is a popular location for day visitors. However, its rustic hike-in campground (28 sites) and St. Croix River bluff location make the park seem a world away for those who stay overnight. Enjoy hiking the hardwood forest and bluff top prairie. Or splash around on the sandy beach along the river banks, where you can also canoe or kayak. If you don’t feel like hiking in and pitching your own tent, the park also offers two yurts, four camper cabins, and a wall tent as lodging options.
6. George Crosby Manitou State Park
George Crosby Manitou State Park, 7616 Co Hwy 7, Finland, MN 55603, USA
Things to do in George Crosby Manitou State Park. Crosby Manitou is another state park that’s perfect for those who love backpacking. Its 21 sites are all hike-in sites that are located at varying distances from the trailhead and parking lot. The park, itself, is a remote and rugged wilderness park, located in the Northwoods of the Lake Superior highlands along the Manitou River. It’s perfect for hiking and stargazing. The Manitou River has several rapids and small waterfalls along its course. Anglers will enjoy trying their hand on Benson Lake, where four species of trout can be found.
7. Banning State Park
Banning State Park, 61101 Banning Park Rd, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA
Things to do in Banning State Park. Banning is another wonderful park for campers who want a more intimate camping experience. This park along the Kettle River is home to a campground with 33 drive-in sites (11 electric), five canoe sites, and camper cabin. The hiking here is fantastic, and the river offers excellent whitewater kayaking for experienced paddlers, as well as slackwater opportunities above and below the rapids. You’ll find fascinating mill ruins to explore and a waterfall as a reward for your hiking efforts.
Best State Parks In Minnesota To RV
Not all of the best campgrounds in Minnesota are limited to tent or rustic camping. There are plenty of state parks that are perfect for RV enthusiasts, offering longer sites and electric hookups. If you’re RV curious and want to see what it’s like, try a rental from RV Share – you’ll find all sorts of rigs for all levels of experience. Whether you’re renting or drive your own, you should definitely consider making your base camp at one of these three state parks in Minnesota.
8. Interstate State Park
Interstate State Park, 307 Milltown Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084, USA
Things to do in Interstate State Park. Interstate State Park is a fantastic park for hiking, fishing, paddling the St. Croix River, and exploring the area’s incredible geology, which includes glacial potholes, as well as exposed volcanic rock that’s more than a billion years old. Rock climbing is also a popular activity at Interstate. The park’s campground is small - only 37 sites - but 22 sites have electric hook-ups, and all can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length.
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9. Whitewater State Park
Whitewater State Park, 19041 MN-74, Altura, MN 55910, USA
Things to do in Whitewater State Park. Whitewater State Park is located in the heart of Minnesota’s Bluff Country and features dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations that were spared from glaciation during the last ice age. Hikers will find plenty to explore, and trout anglers will enjoy the challenge of fishing the Whitewater River. The park is also known for its general lack of mosquitos. The park is home to two good-sized campgrounds, which boast a combined total of 110 drive-in sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 50 feet in length. Of these, 85 offer electric hook-ups and 13 are pull-through sites. The park also offers hike-in and cart-in sites, as well as a handful of camper cabins.
10. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Split Rock Lighthouse, 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Things to do in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Prior to 2022, if you wanted to camp at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, home to dramatic Lake Superior shoreline and rugged hiking into the highlands, you’d have to cart, hike, or paddle into your site. In 2022, however, the park opened its Shipwreck Creek Campground, which boasts 46 drive-in, electric sites, most of which can accommodate vehicles up to 70 feet long. The park is adjacent to the Split Rock Lighthouse historic site, which is definitely worth a visit.
Best State Parks In Minnesota For Hiking
For those who love to hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, or simply walking in the woods or across the prairie, you’ll find many of the best hiking trails in Minnesota in its state parks. Among those, we think the following parks are absolute tops for trail lovers.
11. Tettegouche State Park
Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614, USA
Things to do in Tettegouche State Park. There may not be a better park for hiking than Tettegouche. It’s home to some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain in Minnesota, with plenty of elevation gain and payoffs for hikers, like the Baptism River High Falls, which is the tallest waterfall that we don’t share with Canada. The shoreline is also incredible and includes dramatic Shovel Point, as well as rock-climbing mecca Palisade Head, which, at 300 feet, is the tallest cliff on the American side of Lake Superior. In addition to hiking, the park is open for year round recreation like winter camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, and backpacking (the Superior Hiking Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail passes right through the park).
12. Blue Mounds State Park
Blue Mounds State Park, 1410 161st St, Luverne, MN 56156, USA
Things to do in Blue Mounds State Park. Rising dramatically from the tallgrass prairie of western Minnesota, the upwelling of pink Sioux quartzite that comprises Blue Mounds State Park’s signature geological feature appeared blue at a distance, and thus, gave the park its name. Today, this same ridge is what makes the park such a sweet spot for hiking and exploring. Rock climbers love it, too. A portion of the Minnesota state bison herd is also located at the park and offers yet another reason to visit.
13. Jay Cooke State Park
Jay Cooke State Park, 780 E Hwy 210, Carlton, MN 55718, USA
Things to do in Jay Cooke State Park. The southern terminus of the Superior Hiking Trail/Minnesota segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail starts just outside Jay Cooke State Park and follows most of this dramatic park’s length. This wild park on the St. Louis River is just outside of Duluth but feels a million miles away. Hikers will enjoy a deep Northwoods setting, rugged terrain, and views of rapids that are rated as high as class III. An iconic swinging bridge connects the trails on the south side of the park to the campground, trails, and visitor center on the park’s north side.
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14. Grand Portage State Park
Things to do in Grand Portage State Park. Another North Shore park with a dramatic Northwoods setting, Grand Portage State Park is located about 45 minutes beyond Grand Marais on the Canadian border. It’s a day-use-only park, but it’s a perfect place to spend some time stretching your legs after the drive to get there - and you almost certainly drove to get there. You’ll learn about the history of the park’s eponym, the Grand Portage, and can visit several waterfalls along the Pigeon River, which demarcates the international border, including the High Falls - which is the highest waterfall in Minnesota.
Little-Known State Parks In Minnesota
Whether due to location or falling in the shadow of a more popular neighbor – or any number of other reasons – some Minnesota state parks simply don’t receive the same amount of love as others. But that makes these lesser-known Minnesota state parks perfect for those who want a state park getaway without the crowds – or maybe just a weekend camping reservation in the summer. Here’s a trio of our favorite places for an uncrowded park experience.
15. Zippel Bay State Park
Zippel Bay State Park, 3684 54th Ave NW, Williams, MN 56686, USA
Things to do in Zippel Bay State Park. Zippel Bay State Park is located on Lake of the Woods’ southern shore and nowhere near a major population center. Despite its modern marina, sandy beaches, and wooded campsites, it just doesn’t receive that many visitors. This makes it an awesome place to set up a base camp to explore this less-traveled part of Minnesota. From Zippel Bay, you can get to Franz Jevne State Park, Big Bog State Recreation Area, and the charming town of Warroad, all in under an hour.
16. Carley State Park
Carley State Park, 50366 Wabasha County Rd 4, Plainview, MN 55964, USA
Things to do in Carley State Park. Carley State Park is the lesser-known sibling of nearby Whitewater State Park. But, you’ll still find wonderful hiking and fishing, as well as a small campground. The coolest thing about this park, though, comes in the spring when the wildflowers, including Virginia bluebells, pop in the undergrowth of the park’s hardwood forest. It does get a little more crowded then, but most of the rest of the year, you’ll find plenty of peace.
17. Hayes Lake State Park
Hayes Lake State Park, 48990 Co Rd 4, Roseau, MN 56751, USA
Things to do in Hayes Lake State Park. Located within Beltrami Island State Forest - Minnesota’s second largest - Hayes Lake State Park is an unassuming natural area in northwestern Minnesota. In addition to the lake from which the park draws its name, you’ll find hiking trails through Northwoods forest, as well as a boardwalk trail through a peatland bog. Swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing are also popular pastimes at this lightly-trafficked park on the edge of one of Minnesota’s vastest wilderness areas.
Of the more than 80 state parks, recreation areas, and waysides in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we think these represent the cream of the crop, the best state parks in Minnesota. For even more information about any of these parks, visit its individual page on the Minnesota DNR website. For camping or other lodging reservations, check out the DNR’s overnight stays page.
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