Explore Minnesota's Lake Country At This Underrated State Park
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 17, 2022
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Minnesota’s 66 state parks are full of beauty, history, and recreation. Every one of them has something interesting to offer, but many are often overlooked. That includes the park we’d like to feature today. To visit, head up to Minnesota’s Lake Country. There, you’ll find a beautiful park with plenty of things to do, sights to see, and history to explore. Best of all, its little-known nature makes it full of peace and quiet. If that sounds good to you, read on below to learn more about Maplewood State Park.
Maplewood State Park is a beautiful yet underrated state park near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Nestled into Minnesota's Lake Country, this 9,250-acre park is a wonderful destination for nature lovers.
Being in Minnesota's Lake Country, it should come as no surprise that Maplewood State Park has eight lakes within its boundaries. There's a fishing pier on Beers Lake that is a great spot to cast a line. There are boat launches on Beers Lake and South Lida Lake.
Beyond the water, there are 25 miles of hiking trails that crisscross the park. Each one leads to lovely sights that will turn just about anyone into a fan of this park.
Some trails travel through large, tree-lined fields. In the summer, wildflowers are easy to spot among these fields. In the winter, the maple trees turn spectacular shades of orange and yellow.
There are also opportunities to spot wildlife. Along lakeside trails, you may see beavers, and through the wooded areas, you're sure to spot squirrels and plenty of birds. There are also 25 species of reptiles and amphibians that live in the park!
Other popular trailside sights include gorgeous vistas overlooking some of the park's lakes. For example, hike up Hallaway Hill for an amazing view of South Lida Lake! The Beaver Lake Overlook is also popular.
If you're at Maplewood State Park for the day, you may want to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in a shady picnic shelter. This is a great spot to hang out and relax with a good meal!
If you're up for a longer stay, the park is home to several campgrounds. Pitch a tent, park a camper, or rent a camper cabin! There's plenty to see and do in this underrated state park in Minnesota's Lake Country!
Have you been to Maplewood State Park? Let us know your favorite part of the park in the comments! And if you’d like to explore more lesser-known Minnesota state parks, check out our past list of 11 underrated state parks in Minnesota.
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