Of Minnesota’s 75 state parks and recreation areas, there are a few that stand out above the rest. Gooseberry Falls and Fort Snelling are the most popular, and parks that contain waterfalls draw visitors thanks to their amazing natural beauty. But there are many amazing parks in Minnesota that don’t fit into this category. They may have a quieter beauty that takes a bit longer to notice. But they’re beautiful all the same, and well worth checking out.

Today, we want to highlight a special state park in western Minnesota. It’s a lesser-visited park, not known for tall waterfalls or rocky bluffs. But it has a beauty all its own. Here’s what you need to know before you visit:

Lac Qui Parle State Park is a park in western Minnesota, near the small town of Watson. Its French name comes from a Dakota word that means “lake that speaks.”
Tony Webster/Flickr
The park is known for its quiet, rolling prairie landscape. The floodplains along the Minnesota River attract many wildlife.
Tony Webster/Flickr
The lake for which Lac Qui Parle is named – Lac Qui Parle Lake – is actually a widening of the Minnesota River.
Google Maps
The park has plenty to do no matter your interests. For some, its scenic beauty is best enjoyed via a variety of trails – 7 miles altogether – that wind along the shores.
Jan Schmitt/Google

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The lake itself is full of recreation, too.
Erik Tietz/Google
Many who visit the park enjoy fishing for walleye and catfish here. There's even a dock from which you can fish or launch your boat.
Tony Webster/Google
People aren’t the only ones who fish at Lac Qui Parle. Every year, this lake is a stopping point for migratory birds. Thousands of Canada geese arrive here in spring and summer on their way to their seasonal homes.
Plonq/Flickr
Geese aren’t the only birds you can see in this popular bird-watching spot. On a small island within Lac Qui Parle Lake, pelicans build nests.
chumlee10/Flickr
All in all, Lac Qui Parle State Park is a beautiful place for a weekend trip. Set up a tent or enjoy lunch in the picnic shelter. Surrounded by the lovely landscape – and maybe a few birds – you won’t want to be anywhere else.
Joe Passe/Flickr

Have you ever been to Lac Qui Parle State Park? What did you think? For more information, visit the park’s page on the DNR website. And if you love western Minnesota’s prairie beauty, also check out our article about Inspiration Peak, a prairie hill that offers views for miles around.

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Lac qui Parle State Park, 20th Street Northwest, Watson, MN, USA