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Template:State parks of Minnesota map

Map of State Parks of Minnesota
Hold cursor over locations to display park name;
click to go to park article.

There are 68 state parks, seven state recreation areas, eight state waysides, and 22 state trails in the Minnesota state park system, totaling approximately 267,000 acres (1,081 km2).[1][2] A Minnesota state park is an area of land in the U.S. state of Minnesota preserved by the state for its natural, historic, or other resources. Each was created by an act of the Minnesota Legislature and is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota Historical Society operates sites within some of them. The park system began in 1891 with Itasca State Park when a state law was adopted to "maintain intact, forever, a limited quantity of the domain of this commonwealth...in a state of nature."[3] Minnesota's state park system is the second oldest in the United States, after New York's.[4]:2

Minnesota's state parks are spread across the state in such a way that there is a state park within 50 miles (80 km) of every Minnesotan.[5] The most recent park created is Lake Vermilion State Park, created in 2010. Currently the Parks range in size from Franz Jevne State Park with 118 acres (47.8 ha) to Saint Croix State Park with 34,037 acres (13,774.3 ha). Two parks include resources listed as National Natural Landmarks (Big Bog State Recreation Area and Itasca State Park) and six parks encompass National Historic Landmarks (Charles A. Lindbergh, Fort Snelling, Mille Lacs Kathio, St. Croix, Soudan Underground Mine, and Split Rock Lighthouse State Parks). 52 sites or districts across 34 Minnesota state parks are on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), including 22 parks with developments constructed by New Deal-era job creation programs in the 1930s.[6]

History[]

Minnesota's first attempt to create a state park came in 1885, when a 173-acre (70.0 ha) park was authorized to preserve Minnehaha Falls. The effort was delayed by legal appeals from the various landowners of the desired parkland, and by the time those were settled in favor of the state in 1889, Minnesota no longer had the money to purchase the land. Instead the city of Minneapolis fronted the cash. Owned and operated by Minneapolis, Minnehaha State Park was ultimately absorbed as a city park.[4]:3

Minnesota tried again in 1891, authorizing a state park around Lake Itasca both for its recreational opportunities and to protect the source of the Mississippi River. Interstate Park on the St. Croix River was created in 1895. Other sites were added over the next two decades, but with an inconsistent vision. Modest tracts of scenic land were acquired in Minneopa and Jay Cooke State Parks, but much effort was also expended on creating historical monuments relating to the Dakota War of 1862 and the Great Hinckley Fire. Moreover, most of the sites were being administered by the state auditor, who had many other duties. Itasca State Park, meanwhile, was being administered as a state forest. In 1923, state auditor Ray P. Chase excoriated this situation, calling for wiser selection of park lands and a dedicated commissioner. Chase's comments had an impact, and two years later the Department of Conservation was created to manage the state's natural resources, including the state parks. Originally part of the forestry division, the state parks received their own division in 1935 to take advantage of federal programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).[4]:82 In 1971, the department became the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.[7]

The state parks were closed for almost three weeks in July 2011 due to a shutdown of the state government.

State parks and recreation areas[]

Park name County or counties Area in acres (ha)[8] Date estab-
lished
[4]:297
Body of water Coordinates Remarks Image
Afton State Park Washington &00000000000016000000001,600 acres (650 ha) 1969 St. Croix River 44°51′45″N 92°47′01″W / 44.8624675, -92.7835367 (Afton State Park) Lies on a glacial moraine with deep ravines that drop 300 feet (91 m) down to the St. Croix River.[9] AftonStateParkStCroixRiver
Banning State Park Pine &00000000000055970000005,597 acres (2,265.0 ha) 1963 Kettle River 46°10′15″N 92°50′39″W / 46.1707812, -92.8440889 (Banning State Park) Contains 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of whitewater rapids and the remains of a historic quarry operation.[10] BanningStateParkWolfCreekFalls
Bear Head Lake State Park St. Louis &00000000000030130000003,013 acres (1,219.3 ha) 1961 Bear Head Lake 47°47′47″N 92°04′37″W / 47.7963051, -92.0768231 (Bear Head Lake State Park) Provides road access and modern camping facilities in an environment similar to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.[11] Bear Head Lake State Park
Beaver Creek Valley State Park Houston &0000000000000715000000715 acres (289.4 ha) 1937 East Beaver Creek 43°38′34″N 91°34′55″W / 43.6427458, -91.5818101 (Beaver Creek Valley State Park) Showcases the rugged topography of the Driftless Area in a narrow valley carved by a trout stream.[12] BeaverCreekValleyStatePark1
Big Bog State Recreation Area Beltrami &00000000000091700000009,170 acres (3,711 ha) 2000[8] Red Lake, Tamarac River 48°10′22″N 94°30′43″W / 48.172761, -94.512033 (Big Bog State Recreation Area) Encompasses part of the largest peatland in the Lower 48 states (a National Natural Landmark) and a prime walleye fishery.[13] Big Bog State Recreation Area
Big Stone Lake State Park Big Stone &0000000000000980000000980 acres (397 ha) 1961 Big Stone Lake 45°22′57″N 96°30′47″W / 45.3824644, -96.5131148 (Big Stone Lake State Park) Protects two sections of shoreline on Big Stone Lake, the source of the Minnesota River.[14]
Blue Mounds State Park Rock &00000000000015670000001,567 acres (634.1 ha) 1937 Mound Creek 43°42′25″N 96°11′13″W / 43.7069134, -96.1869728 (Blue Mounds State Park) Protects an escarpment of Sioux Quartzite and Minnesota's only public bison herd.[15] A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[16] BlueMoundsStatePark
Buffalo River State Park Clay &00000000000010680000001,068 acres (432.2 ha) 1937 Buffalo River 46°51′56″N 96°28′04″W / 46.8655165, -96.4678474 (Buffalo River State Park) Preserves part of one of the state's largest and best tallgrass prairies.[17] A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[18] Buffalo River State Park MN
Camden State Park Lyon &00000000000018550000001,855 acres (750.7 ha) 1935 Redwood River 44°21′45″N 95°55′30″W / 44.362462, -95.9250247 (Camden State Park) Preserves a forested river valley in the midst of prairie and farm country.[19] A district of VCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[20] Redwood River Camden
Carley State Park Wabasha &0000000000000209000000209 acres (84.6 ha) 1949 Whitewater River 44°06′60″N 92°10′34″W / 44.1166318, -92.1760002 (Carley State Park) Donated by State Senator James A. Carley to protect a stand of white pines. Used as an overflow campground for nearby Whitewater State Park.[21] CarleyStateParkMinnesota2006-08
Cascade River State Park Cook &00000000000028670000002,867 acres (1,160.2 ha) 1957 Lake Superior and Cascade River 47°42′35″N 90°31′20″W / 47.7097222, -90.5222222 (Cascade River State Park Recreation Site) Stretches along 10.5 miles (16.9 km) of Lake Superior coastline in land rehabilitated after construction of Minnesota State Highway 61.[22] A WPA highway wayside is on the NRHP.[6] CascadeParkMN arf (2)
Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Morrison &0000000000000417000000417 acres (168.8 ha) 1931 Mississippi River 45°57′32″N 94°23′43″W / 45.9588545, -94.3952813 (Charles A Lindbergh State Park) Contains the restored home of Congressman Charles August Lindbergh and his son Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator.[23] The house is a National Historic Landmark, and a district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[24] CharlesLindberghHouse
Crow Wing State Park Crow Wing, Cass, and Morrison &00000000000023350000002,335 acres (944.9 ha) 1959 Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers 46°16′20″N 94°19′00″W / 46.2722222, -94.3333333 (Crow Wing State Park) Interprets the site of Old Crow Wing, an important town and trading center in the mid-19th century. The town site and a section of the Red River Trails are both on the NRHP.[6][25] CrowWingStateParkBeaulieauHouse
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Crow Wing &00000000000068500000006,850 acres (2,772 ha) 1993 Chain of small lakes and streams, filled pit mines 46°29′22″N 93°58′39″W / 46.489550, -93.977500 (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) In development as the land is rehabilitated from open-pit iron mining. Includes Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake, the state's deepest lake.[26] Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Switchback Trail
Father Hennepin State Park Mille Lacs &0000000000000275000000275 acres (111.3 ha) 1941 Mille Lacs Lake 46°08′41″N 93°29′17″W / 46.1446779, -93.4880157 (Father Hennepin State Park) Provides lakeside recreation in the region visited by Father Louis Hennepin during a French expedition in 1680.[27] Father Hennepin MNSP Marsh
Flandrau State Park Brown &0000000000000840000000840 acres (340 ha) 1937 Cottonwood River 44°17′18″N 94°28′25″W / 44.2882956, -94.4735837 (Flandrau State Park) Created to provide water recreation near New Ulm.[28] Entire park is a district of CCC and WPA structures on the NRHP.[29] FlandrauStateParkBeachHouse
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park Fillmore &00000000000031630000003,163 acres (1,280.0 ha) 1963 South Branch Root River and tributaries 43°37′32″N 92°14′51″W / 43.6255204, -92.247388 (Forestville Mystery Cave State Park) Encompasses the historic townsite of Forestville, the state's longest explored cave, and three blue-ribbon trout streams.[30] ForestvilleMNbridge
Fort Ridgely State Park Nicollet and Renville &0000000000000537000000537 acres (217.3 ha) 1911 Fort Ridgely Creek 44°27′09″N 94°43′51″W / 44.4524621, -94.7308199 (Fort Ridgely State Park) Surrounds Fort Ridgely, site of the Battle of Fort Ridgely during the Dakota War of 1862. The fort and a large district of CCC structures are both on the NRHP.[31][32] FortRidgely1
Fort Snelling State Park Ramsey, Hennepin, and Dakota &00000000000018250000001,825 acres (738.6 ha) 1961 Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers 44°53′09″N 93°10′41″W / 44.8857988, -93.1779985 (Fort Snelling State Park) Contains historic Fort Snelling, built in 1819, and floodplain forest in the heart of Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The fort is a National Historic Landmark and the entire park is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.[33] Fort Snelling Round Tower
Franz Jevne State Park Koochiching &0000000000000118000000118 acres (47.8 ha) 1967 Rainy River 48°38′32″N 94°04′50″W / 48.642240, -94.080410 (Franz Jevne State Park) Features scenic property on the Canada – United States border, donated by the sons of Franz Jevne, a lawyer, on the condition that the park be named after their father.[34]
Frontenac State Park Goodhue &00000000000022260000002,226 acres (900.8 ha) 1957 Lake Pepin on Mississippi River 44°30′27″N 92°19′35″W / 44.5074677, -92.3262914 (Frontenac State Park) Attracts 260 species of year-round and migrant birds with its variety of habitats. Includes a natural arch atop a &0000000000000430000000430 ft (130 m) bluff.[35] Mississippi River w Lake Pepin in background at Frontenac State Park
Garden Island State Recreation Area Lake of the Woods &0000000000000715000000715 acres (289.4 ha) 1998[8] Lake of the Woods 49°10′31″N 94°50′05″W / 49.175335, -94.834671 (Garden Island State Recreation Area) Comprises a nearly undeveloped island, &000000000000001500000015 mi (24 km) from the closest mainland marinas, that once bore Native American gardens.[36]
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park Lake &00000000000062000000006,200 acres (2,510 ha) 1955 Manitou River 47°30′22″N 91°06′33″W / 47.506018, -91.109045 (George H Crosby Manitou State Park) Contains undeveloped North Woods wilderness geared towards backpackers.[37] George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park WMRT
Glacial Lakes State Park Pope &00000000000018570000001,857 acres (751.5 ha) 1963 Several kettle lakes 45°32′15″N 95°31′19″W / 45.537461, -95.521983 (Glacial Lakes State Park) Preserves rolling tallgrass prairie amidst the glacial landforms of the Leaf Hills Moraines.[38] GlacialLakesStatePark
Glendalough State Park Otter Tail &00000000000019240000001,924 acres (778.6 ha) 1991[8] Six kettle lakes 46°19′00″N 95°40′00″W / 46.3333333, -95.6666667 (Glendalough State Park) Developed from the former private retreat and game farm of the owners of the Star Tribune newspaper, with a heritage fishery of large game fish.[39] GlendaloughStatePark
Gooseberry Falls State Park Lake &00000000000017410000001,741 acres (704.6 ha) 1937 Lake Superior, Gooseberry River 47°08′49″N 91°27′48″W / 47.1468715, -91.4632289 (Gooseberry Falls State Park) Serves as the gateway to the scenic North Shore. Features five waterfalls, an agate beach, and a large district of CCC structures on the NRHP.[40][41] Gooseberry Falls State Park 2
Grand Portage State Park Cook &0000000000000278000000278 acres (112.5 ha) 1989 Pigeon River 48°00′37″N 89°36′43″W / 48.0101633, -89.6120317 (Grand Portage State Park) Features a 120-foot (37 m) waterfall, Minnesota's tallest, on the Canada – United States border. Co-managed with the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, the only state – tribal collaboration of a U.S. state park.[42] HighFallsPigeonRiver
Great River Bluffs State Park Winona &00000000000021220000002,122 acres (858.7 ha) 1971 Mississippi River 43°56′47″N 91°23′58″W / 43.9463526, -91.3993094 (Great River Bluffs State Park) Features 500-foot-high (150 m) bluffs and steep goat prairies. Formerly named O.L. Kipp State Park.[43] KingsAndQueensBluffs
Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area Meeker &00000000000012300000001,230 acres (498 ha) 2004 Greenleaf and Sioux Lakes 45°00′57″N 94°28′00″W / 45.01591, -94.46671 (Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area) In development and open for limited day-use recreation.[44] Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area
Hayes Lake State Park Roseau &00000000000021180000002,118 acres (857.1 ha) 1967 Hayes Lake, North Fork Roseau River 48°37′24″N 95°30′28″W / 48.6233095, -95.5077539 (Hayes Lake State Park) Provides fishing and swimming opportunities in an exclusively recreational reservoir free of agricultural runoff or water level fluctuations for irrigation or power generation.[4]:250
Hill-Annex Mine State Park Itasca &0000000000000634000000634 acres (256.6 ha) 1988 Filled pit mine 47°19′39″N 93°16′39″W / 47.327490, -93.277520 (Hill-Annex Mine State Park) Offers tours of a former open-pit iron mine and fossil collecting. A district of mine structures is on the NRHP.[45] Hill-Annex Mine State Park
Interstate State Park Chisago &0000000000000288000000288 acres (116.5 ha) 1895 St. Croix River 45°23′42″N 92°40′11″W / 45.3949622, -92.6696521 (Interstate State Park) Created in conjunction with a state park in Wisconsin to protect a basalt gorge and glacial potholes.[46] Two districts of CCC and WPA structures are on the NRHP.[47] Dalles Of St Croix
Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area St. Louis &00000000000018640000001,864 acres (754.3 ha) 2002 Lake Ore-be-gone 47°28′57″N 92°26′37″W / 47.48247, -92.44349 (Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area) Provides 36 miles (58 km) of trails for off highway vehicles.[48]
Itasca State Park Hubbard, Clearwater, and Becker &000000000003055300000030,553 acres (12,364.4 ha) 1891 Lake Itasca 47°11′51″N 95°12′07″W / 47.1974579, -95.2019642 (Itasca State Park) Minnesota's oldest state park, which preserves the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The entire park and an individual archaeological site are on the NRHP, and a subsection is a National Natural Landmark.[49] Mississippi River at Itasca
Jay Cooke State Park Carlton &00000000000081250000008,125 acres (3,288.1 ha) 1915 Saint Louis River 46°38′59″N 92°19′51″W / 46.6496646, -92.330748 (Jay Cooke State Park) Showcases a rocky, whitewater-strewn river churning through the North Woods.[50] Three districts of CCC and WPA structures and a long-used portage route are on the NRHP.[51] JayCookeStatePark1
John A. Latsch State Park Winona &0000000000000409000000409 acres (165.5 ha) 1925 Mississippi River 44°09′43″N 91°49′20″W / 44.1619082, -91.8220997 (John Latsch State Park) Features three steep river bluffs.[52] JohnLatschStatePark1
Judge C. R. Magney State Park Cook &00000000000043230000004,323 acres (1,749.5 ha) 1957 Lake Superior, Brule River 47°51′05″N 90°03′30″W / 47.8512799, -90.0584299 (Judge C R Magney State Park) Contains the geologically unexplained Devil's Kettle, a large glacial kettle into which half of the Brule River disappears.[53] JudgeCRMagneyStateParkDevilsKettleFalls
Kilen Woods State Park Jackson &0000000000000202000000202 acres (81.7 ha) 1945 Des Moines River 43°43′36″N 95°03′47″W / 43.7266244, -95.0630473 (Kilen Woods State Park) Preserves a riverside parcel of forested hills on the Coteau des Prairies.[54]
La Salle Lake State Recreation Area Hubbard &00000000000010000000001,000 acres (400 ha) 2011 Mississippi River, La Salle Lake 47°20′14″N 95°10′14″W / 47.33719, -95.17061 (La Salle Lake State Recreation Area) In development around the second-deepest lake in Minnesota.[55]
Lac qui Parle State Park Lac qui Parle and Chippewa &0000000000000897000000897 acres (363.0 ha) 1959 Lac qui Parle, Minnesota and Lac qui Parle Rivers 45°01′14″N 95°53′20″W / 45.0205141, -95.888921 (Lac qui Parle State Park) Attracts thousands of migrating waterfowl, earning it the name "Lake that Speaks."[56] A district of WPA buildings is on the NRHP.[57] Lac qui Parle
Lake Bemidji State Park Beltrami &00000000000016530000001,653 acres (668.9 ha) 1923 Lake Bemidji 47°32′11″N 94°49′22″W / 47.5363413, -94.8227704 (Lake Bemidji State Park) Features a recreational lakeshore and a spruce-tamarack bog.[58] A district of CCC and National Youth Administration structures is on the NRHP.[59] BemidjiStatePark-HiddenLake
Lake Bronson State Park Kittson &00000000000028060000002,806 acres (1,135.5 ha) 1937 Lake Bronson, South Branch Two Rivers 48°43′29″N 96°36′12″W / 48.7247004, -96.6033741 (Lake Bronson State Park) Features a reservoir created during a drought in the 1930s. A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[60] LakeBronsonStateParkTower
Lake Carlos State Park Douglas &00000000000011750000001,175 acres (475.5 ha) 1937 Lake Carlos 45°59′12″N 95°19′40″W / 45.9866293, -95.3278143 (Lake Carlos State Park) Preserves diverse habitats from prairie to hardwood forest to tamarack bog in a transition zone.[61] Two districts of WPA structures are on the NRHP.[62] LakeCarlosStatePark
Lake Louise State Park Mower &0000000000000849000000849 acres (343.6 ha) 1963 Lake Louise, Upper and Little Iowa Rivers 43°32′01″N 92°31′32″W / 43.5335762, -92.5254538 (Lake Louise State Park) Features a reservoir surrounded by oak savanna and patches of hardwood forest. Minnesota's oldest continuous recreation area, formerly a town park since the 1860s.[63]
Lake Maria State Park Wright &00000000000014750000001,475 acres (596.9 ha) 1963 Several kettle lakes 45°18′50″N 93°57′26″W / 45.3138543, -93.9572003 (Lake Maria State Park) Provides a lightly developed wilderness area near Minneapolis – Saint Paul in a morainal landscape of Big Woods.[64] LakeMariaStateParkBjorklandLake
Lake Shetek State Park Murray County &00000000000011090000001,109 acres (448.8 ha) 1937 Lake Shetek 44°06′08″N 95°41′24″W / 44.1021838, -95.6900114 (Lake Shetek State Park) Features remnants of pioneer history around the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota.[65] Two districts of WPA structures are on the NRHP.[66] Lake Shetek causeway
Lake Vermilion State Park St. Louis &00000000000028750000002,875 acres (1,163.5 ha)[8] 2010[8] Lake Vermilion 47°50′05″N 92°11′53″W / 47.83471, -92.19812 (Lake Vermilion State Park) Recently purchased and in development on the fifth-largest lake in Minnesota.[67] Lake Vermilion State Park Overlook
Maplewood State Park Otter Tail &00000000000081270000008,127 acres (3,288.9 ha) 1963 Several kettle lakes 46°32′01″N 95°56′57″W / 46.5335703, -95.9492193 (Maplewood State Park) Preserves a forest/prairie transition zone in the Leaf Hills Moraines.[68] A Native American archaeological site is on the NRHP. Maplewoodstatepark
McCarthy Beach State Park St. Louis &00000000000019080000001,908 acres (772.1 ha) 1945 Sturgeon and Side Lakes 47°40′22″N 93°01′49″W / 47.6727068, -93.0301834 (McCarthy Beach State Park) Features a .5-mile-long (0.80 km) beach on an isthmus between two lakes.[69] McCarthyBeachStatePark
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Mille Lacs &00000000000097860000009,786 acres (3,960.3 ha) 1957 Mille Lacs Lake, Rum River 46°07′44″N 93°44′26″W / 46.1288485, -93.7405269 (Mille Lacs Kathio State Park) Preserves 19 identified archaeological sites dating back 9000 years. The entire park is a National Historic Landmark and four sites are individually listed on the NRHP.[6][70] Millelacs
Minneopa State Park Blue Earth &00000000000016170000001,617 acres (654.4 ha) 1905 Minnesota River, Minneopa Creek 44°09′44″N 94°06′08″W / 44.1621879, -94.1021803 (Minneopa State Park) Showcases the largest waterfall in southern Minnesota. The 1864 Seppman Mill and a district of WPA structures are each on the NRHP.[71] MinneopaFalls2010
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area Hennepin, Dakota, Scott, Carver, Sibley, and Le Sueur &00000000000064420000006,442 acres (2,607.0 ha) 1969 Minnesota River 44°39′43″N 93°42′12″W / 44.661999, -93.703337 (Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area) Comprises non-contiguous sections interspersed with units of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the valley formed by Glacial River Warren.[72] MinnesotaRiver1
Monson Lake State Park Swift &0000000000000343000000343 acres (138.8 ha) 1937 Monson and West Sunberg Lakes 45°19′14″N 95°16′30″W / 45.3205175, -95.2750235 (Monson Lake Memorial State Park) Established as a memorial to settlers who died in the Dakota War of 1862.[73] A district of CCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[74] Broberg Cabin Cellar Hole
Moose Lake State Park Carlton &0000000000000829000000829 acres (335.5 ha) 1971 Moosehead and Echo Lakes 46°26′11″N 92°43′31″W / 46.436319, -92.72521 (Moose Lake State Park) Provides water recreation and an exhibit hall on Lake Superior agates (the state gemstone) and the geology of Minnesota.[75] Moose Lake Agate and Geological Interpretive Center
Myre-Big Island State Park Freeborn &00000000000015780000001,578 acres (638.6 ha) 1947 Albert Lea Lake 43°37′26″N 93°17′21″W / 43.6238465, -93.2890959 (Myre-Big Island State Park) Features two islands with old growth hardwood forest since they were out of reach of prairie fires. Also houses one of the state's largest research collections of Native American artifacts.[76] Myre-Big Island State Park
Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park Rice &00000000000016460000001,646 acres (666.1 ha) 1945 Prairie Creek 44°20′43″N 93°06′27″W / 44.3452425, -93.1074337 (Nerstrand Big Woods State Park) Preserves a remnant stand of Big Woods.[77] Nerstrand Big Woods SP-HiddenFalls
Old Mill State Park Marshall &0000000000000287000000287 acres (116.1 ha) 1951 Middle River 48°21′41″N 96°34′13″W / 48.361364, -96.5703288 (Old Mill State Park) Features two mills and a log cabin from the late 19th Century.[78] The Larson Mill and a district of WPA structures are each on the NRHP.[79] Larson Mill
Red River State Recreation Area Polk &0000000000000104000000104 acres (42.1 ha) 1997 Red River of the North and Red Lake River 47°55′58″N 97°02′08″W / 47.9327778, -97.0355556 (Red River State Recreation Area) Reclaims land devastated by the 1997 Red River Flood as part of the Greater Grand Forks Greenway, which serves the dual purpose of holding back river waters during floods and providing recreational opportunities.[80]
Rice Lake State Park Steele and Dodge &0000000000000712000000712 acres (288.1 ha) 1963 Rice Lake 44°05′15″N 93°03′41″W / 44.0874639, -93.061315 (Rice Lake State Park) Surrounds a shallow lake which attracts migrating waterfowl.[81] RiceLakeStateParkMN
St. Croix Islands State Recreation Area Washington &000000000000002500000025 acres (10.1 ha) 1935 St. Croix River 45°05′07″N 92°47′10″W / 45.08524, -92.78608 (St. Croix Islands State Recreation Area) Comprises five islands near the St. Croix Boom Site that came under state control but were never developed. Leased to the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway.[4]:318 St. Croix Islands and Boom Site
St. Croix State Park Pine &000000000003177500000031,775 acres (12,858.9 ha) 1943 St. Croix River 45°58′27″N 92°35′01″W / 45.9741154, -92.5835304 (Saint Croix State Park) Developed as a Recreational Demonstration Area by the CCC and the WPA to repurpose land too poor to farm. The entire park is a National Historic Landmark.[82] Reflectionlake
Sakatah Lake State Park Le Sueur and Rice &0000000000000810000000810 acres (328 ha) 1963 Sakatah Lake on the Cannon River 44°13′16″N 93°32′09″W / 44.2210746, -93.5357792 (Sakatah State Park) Features a transitional zone between prairie and Big Woods on a natural widening of the Cannon River.[83] SakatahLakeStatePark
Savanna Portage State Park Aitkin and St. Louis &000000000001527700000015,277 acres (6,182.4 ha) 1961 East and West Savanna Rivers, numerous kettle lakes 46°50′15″N 93°09′24″W / 46.8374455, -93.1566054 (Savanna Portage State Park) Preserves a historically important and legendarily difficult 6-mile (9.7 km) portage over a continental divide between the watersheds of the Mississippi River and Lake Superior.[84] The portage is on the NRHP.[6] Savanna Portage State Park
Scenic State Park Itasca &00000000000023700000002,370 acres (959 ha) 1921 Sandwick and Coon Lakes 47°42′57″N 93°33′47″W / 47.7157733, -93.5629701 (Scenic State Park) Features pristine lakes and old-growth pines. Two districts of structures built by the first CCC state park camp in Minnesota are on the NRHP.[85] Scenic State Park–Coon Lake
Schoolcraft State Park Cass and Itasca &0000000000000141000000141 acres (57.1 ha) 1959 Mississippi River 47°13′30″N 93°47′60″W / 47.2249502, -93.7999449 (Schoolcraft State Park) Honors Henry Schoolcraft, who charted the origins of the Mississippi River with the Ojibwe guide Ozawindib. Preserves virgin pine forest that includes a white pine over 300 years old.[86] Schoolcraft State Park kayakers
Sibley State Park Kandiyohi &00000000000025400000002,540 acres (1,028 ha) 1919 Lake Andrew and other kettle lakes 45°19′11″N 95°01′23″W / 45.3196867, -95.0230696 (Sibley State Park) Honors Henry Hastings Sibley, the first governor of Minnesota, with a popular recreational lakeshore and a morainal landscape.[87] A district of CCC structures is on the NRHP.[88] Sibley State Park Mt Tom Tower
Soudan Underground Mine State Park St. Louis &0000000000000974000000974 acres (394.2 ha) 1963 Lake Vermilion 47°49′29″N 92°15′23″W / 47.8246403, -92.2562691 (Soudan Underground Mine State Park) Offers tours of Minnesota's oldest, deepest, and richest iron mine and a modern high energy physics laboratory. The mine is a National Historic Landmark[89] and a row of 20th Century boathouses is on the NRHP. Soudan Mine Headframe
Split Rock Creek State Park Pipestone &0000000000000947000000947 acres (383.2 ha) 1937 Split Rock Lake 43°53′53″N 96°21′51″W / 43.8980264, -96.3642032 (Split Rock Creek State Park) Features a recreational reservoir on the Coteau des Prairies.[90] Split Rock Creek State Park in fog
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Lake &00000000000021120000002,112 acres (854.7 ha) 1945 Lake Superior, Split Rock River 47°11′32″N 91°23′35″W / 47.1921472, -91.3929484 (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park) Surrounds the clifftop Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States.[91] The lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark. Splitrock lighthouse
Temperance River State Park Cook &00000000000011340000001,134 acres (458.9 ha) 1957 Lake Superior, Temperance and Cross Rivers 47°33′16″N 90°52′21″W / 47.5543466, -90.8723722 (Temperance River State Park) Showcases the deep, narrow gorge of the Temperance River (so named for its lack of a "bar" at its mouth) and Carlton Peak, a rock climbing area.[92] Temperance River State Park SHT Bridge
Tettegouche State Park Lake &00000000000089980000008,998 acres (3,641.4 ha) 1979 Lake Superior and Baptism River 47°21′32″N 91°15′51″W / 47.358806, -91.2640506 (Tettegouche State Park) Encompasses the tallest waterfall within the state's borders, the iconic headlands of Palisade Head and Shovel Point, and a historic fishing camp which is on the NRHP.[93] Lake Superior North Shore(v2)
Upper Sioux Agency State Park Yellow Medicine &00000000000010650000001,065 acres (431.0 ha) 1963 Minnesota and Yellow Medicine Rivers 44°44′17″N 95°27′14″W / 44.7380132, -95.4539039 (Upper Sioux Agency State Park) Interprets the site of the agency that administered a Dakota Indian reservation until it was destroyed during the Dakota War of 1862.[94] The agency is on the NRHP.[6] Upper Sioux Agency State Park
Whitewater State Park Winona &00000000000016720000001,672 acres (676.6 ha) 1919 Whitewater River 44°03′30″N 92°03′32″W / 44.058297, -92.0587726 (Whitewater State Park) Showcases a popular steep-sided river valley in the Driftless Area.[95] A large district of CCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[96] Whitewater State Park
Wild River State Park Chisago &00000000000065740000006,574 acres (2,660.4 ha) 1973 St. Croix River 45°34′05″N 92°52′33″W / 45.5680159, -92.8757696 (Wild River State Park) Follows 18 miles (29 km) of one of the first waterways designated a National Wild and Scenic River.[97] A section of the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road is on the NRHP.[98] WildRiverStatePark1
William O'Brien State Park Washington &00000000000017830000001,783 acres (721.6 ha) 1947 St. Croix River 45°13′10″N 92°45′58″W / 45.2194109, -92.7660423 (William O'Brien State Park) Provides outdoor recreation opportunities near Minneapolis – Saint Paul.[99] William O'Brien State Park Riverside Trail
Zippel Bay State Park Lake of the Woods &00000000000028260000002,826 acres (1,143.6 ha) 1959 Lake of the Woods 48°51′50″N 94°51′34″W / 48.8638742, -94.8593862 (Zippel Bay State Park) Provides water recreation and birdwatching opportunities on the shore of the country's sixth largest lake.[100]

State waysides[]

The state park system includes eight waysides, most of them along Minnesota State Highway 61 on the North Shore.[101] These are parcels of land too small to be full-fledged parks, but with cultural or natural resources greater than would be overseen by the Minnesota Department of Transportation as highway waysides. Generally development is limited to a parking area and a short trail; sometimes there are sanitation facilities and picnic tables as well.[4]

Wayside name County Date estab-
lished
[4]:299
Coordinates Remarks[102] Image
Caribou Falls State Wayside Lake 1947 47°27′52″N 91°01′51″W / 47.46452, -91.03084 (Caribou Falls State Wayside) Includes a waterfall on the Caribou River. Formerly Caribou Falls State Park.[4]:166 Caribou Falls MN
Devils Track Falls State Wayside Cook 1961 47°46′41″N 90°16′58″W / 47.77804, -90.28273 (Devils Track Falls State Wayside) A nearly inaccessible gorge on the Devil Track River within Superior National Forest. Formerly Devils Track Falls State Park.[4]:209
Flood Bay State Wayside Lake 1965 47°02′19″N 91°38′33″W / 47.03850, -91.64254 (Flood Bay State Wayside) A rocky Lake Superior beach just outside Two Harbors.[4]:248 Flood Bay State Wayside
Inspiration Peak State Wayside Otter Tail 1931 46°08′14″N 95°34′41″W / 46.13714, -95.57809 (Inspiration Peak State Wayside) The highest point of the Leaf Hills Moraines.[4]:95 View from top of Inspiration Peak
Joseph R. Brown State Wayside Renville 1937 44°45′01″N 95°19′28″W / 44.750328, -95.324425 (Joseph R. Brown State Wayside) The ruins of Joseph R. Brown's three-story mansion, destroyed during the Dakota War of 1862.[4]:134 The ruins are on the NRHP.[6] Joseph R. Brown House Ruins 2
Kodonce River State Wayside Cook 1947 47°47′38″N 90°09′15″W / 47.79393, -90.15414 (Kodonce River State Wayside) Lake Superior shoreline around the mouth of the variably spelled Kadunce River. Formerly Kodonce River State Park.[4]:166
Ray Berglund State Wayside Cook 1951 47°36′32″N 90°46′10″W / 47.60894, -90.76943 (Ray Berglund State Wayside) A memorial at the mouth of the Onion River to a St. Paul businessman and conservationist, on land donated by his friends.[4]:173
Sam Brown State Wayside Traverse 1929 45°35′46″N 96°50′29″W / 45.59616, -96.84141 (Sam Brown State Wayside) Created to honor Joseph R. Brown's son Samuel J. Brown, "the Paul Revere of the West," who rode 120 miles (190 km) through a storm on April 19, 1866 to warn of an expected Dakota attack. Formerly Sam Brown State Park.[4]:88

State trails[]

Trail name Trailheads[8] Length in miles (km)[8] Surface Remarks
Arrowhead State Trail TowerInternational Falls &0000000000000135000000135 mi (217 km) Unpaved Serves primarily as a winter snowmobile route, branching off the Taconite State Trail.[103]
Blazing Star State Trail Albert LeaMyre-Big Island State Park &00000000000000060000006 mi (9.7 km) Paved Planned to continue to Austin and connect with the Shooting Star State Trail.[104]
Blufflands State Trail: Harmony-Preston Valley Segment HarmonyPreston &000000000000001800000018 mi (29 km) Paved Climbs out of the Root River Valley.[105]
Blufflands State Trail: Root River Segment FountainHouston &000000000000004200000042 mi (68 km) Paved Extends along the Root River.[106]
Casey Jones State Trail PipestoneMurray County,
Lake Shetek State ParkCurrie
&000000000000001900000019 mi (31 km) Partly paved Invokes legendary train engineer Casey Jones in three unconnected segments that reflect railroad and pioneer history.[107]
Central Lakes State Trail OsakisFergus Falls &000000000000005500000055 mi (89 km) Paved Skirts a series of glacially formed lakes in Central Minnesota and connects to the Lake Wobegon Trails.[108]
Cuyuna Lakes State Trail Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area &00000000000000060000006 mi (9.7 km) Paved Wends through a regenerating open-pit mining area and connects with several mountain biking trails.[109]
Douglas State Trail Pine IslandRochester &000000000000001300000013 mi (21 km) Parallel paved and unpaved Stretches through the rural scenery of a rich agricultural region.[110]
Gateway State Trail St. Paul – Pine Point Regional Park &000000000000001800000018 mi (29 km) Paved with 10 miles (16 km) of parallel unpaved Extends from an urban setting to a rural park near Stillwater.[111]
Gitchi-Gami State Trail Gooseberry Falls State ParkBeaver Bay,
SchroederTofte
&000000000000002500000025 mi (40 km) Paved Runs along the shore of Lake Superior in multiple unconnected segments. Planned to run continuously from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.[112]
Glacial Lakes State Trail HawickWillmar &000000000000002200000022 mi (35 km) Parallel paved and unpaved Traverses gently rolling glacial landforms.[113]
Goodhue Pioneer State Trail Red WingHay Creek Township,
Zumbrota
&000000000000001000000010 mi (16 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Exists in two sections, but planned to run from Red Wing to Pine Island.[114]
Great River Ridge State Trail PlainviewEyota &000000000000001300000013 mi (21 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Wends past the river bluffs of the Driftless Area.[115]
Heartland State Trail Park RapidsCass Lake &000000000000004900000049 mi (79 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Passes through mixed northern forests, intersecting with the Paul Bunyan State Trail.[116]
Luce Line State Trail PlymouthCosmos &000000000000006300000063 mi (101 km) Unpaved Stretches from the Minneapolis suburbs out to a rural landscape.[117]
Minnesota Valley State Trail ShakopeeBelle Plain &000000000000004200000042 mi (68 km) Mostly unpaved Follows the Minnesota River.[118]
North Shore State Trail DuluthGrand Marais &0000000000000146000000146 mi (235 km) Unpaved Traverses the inland backcountry of the North Shore, primarily as a winter snowmobile route.[119]
Paul Bunyan State Trail BrainerdLake Bemidji State Park &0000000000000112000000112 mi (180 km) Paved Comprises one of the country's longest continuously paved trails, with a planned extension to Crow Wing State Park. Intersects with the Heartland State Trail.[120]
Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail FaribaultMankato &000000000000003900000039 mi (63 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Follows the Cannon River and passes through Sakatah Lake State Park.[121]
Shooting Star State Trail LeRoyAdams &000000000000001400000014 mi (23 km) Paved Crosses open country and passes through Lake Louise State Park.[122]
Taconite State Trail Grand RapidsEly &0000000000000155000000155 mi (249 km) Mostly unpaved Serves primarily as a winter snowmobile route, intersecting with the Arrowhead State Trail.[123]
Willard Munger State Trail HinckleyDuluth,
WrenshallCarlton,
Chengwatana State ForestHolyoke
&000000000000007600000076 mi (122 km) Paved Honors state legislator and trail advocate Willard Munger with a trail system of three segments.[124]

Former parks[]

Several units added to the Minnesota state park system over the years have since been redesignated or transferred to other agencies, including the system's very first unit, Camp Release State Memorial Wayside, created in 1889. In most cases these decisions were due to the unit being too small for a state park with little chance of expansion, or largely local use rather than attracting visitors from all over the state and beyond.[4] Four of these units were redesignated as state waysides and are listed above.[4][102] The other former units were:

Former name Date
established
Date
redesignated
Result
Alexander Ramsey State Park[4]:43[125] 1911 1957 Transferred to Redwood Falls as a city park.
Birch Cooley Battle Field State Memorial Park[4]:15 1929 1976 Transferred to Minnesota Historical Society.
Camp Release State Memorial Wayside[4]:337 1889 1975 Redesignated Camp Release State Monument.
Chippewa Mission State Memorial Wayside[4]:94 1931 1973 Transferred to Minnesota Historical Society.
Horace Austin State Park[4]:44[126] 1913 1949 Transferred to Austin as a city park.
Garvin Heights State Park[4]:76 1922 1961 Transferred to Winona as a city park.
Kaplan Woods State Park[4]:98[127] 1935 1963 Part demolished to build a highway, remainder transferred to Owatonna as a city park.
Little Elbow Lake State Park[4]:230 1963 1989 Transferred to White Earth Indian Reservation.
Old Crossing Treaty Historic Wayside[4]:96 1931 1987 Parts transferred to Red Lake County and University of Minnesota Crookston, remainder added to Huot Wildlife Management Area.
Oronoco Park (later Oronoco State Scenic Reserve)[4]:130[128] 1937 1965 Transferred to Olmsted County.
Pine Tree State Park[4]:165 1947 1965 Transferred to Blackduck as a city park.
Pomme de Terre Recreational Reserve[4]:122 1937 1965 Transferred to Morris as a city park.
Sleepy Eye State Park[4]:70 1921 1965 Transferred to Sleepy Eye as a city park.
Toqua Lakes State Park[4]:51 1921 1965 Transferred to Big Stone County as a county park.
Traverse des Sioux State Park[4]:29 1905 1981 Transferred to Minnesota Historical Society and city of St. Peter.
Watson State Wayside[4]:136 1941 1959 Transferred to Watson as a city park.

See also[]

  • List of Minnesota state forests
  • List of U.S. national parks

References[]

  1. ^ "Welcome to Minnesota State Parks". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2007. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  2. ^ "Proposed Lake Vermilion State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2007. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_vermilion/index.html. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  3. ^ "Itasca State Park National Register Listing". Minnesota Historical Society. May 1973; May 1992 update. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Itasca.html. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Meyer, Roy Willard (1991). Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87351-266-9. 
  5. ^ "Minnesota Traveler" (PDF). Minnesota State Parks Newsletter. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Summer 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20070630172557/http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/parks_recreation/traveler_07/traveler_2007.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-22. , p. 16.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Minnesota's National Register Properties". Minnesota Historical Society. http://nrhp.mnhs.org. Retrieved 2012-10-31. 
  7. ^ "Minnesota's Submerged Cultural Resources Preservation Plan". Minnesota Historical Society. June 1997. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mgmtplan/plan0697.html. Retrieved June 7, 2011. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h (2011) "Guide to Minnesota State Parks and Trails 2011". 
  9. ^ "Afton State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  10. ^ "Banning State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/banning/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  11. ^ "Bear Head Lake State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/bear_head_lake/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  12. ^ "Beaver Creek Valley State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/beaver_creek_valley/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  13. ^ "Big Bog State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/big_bog/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  14. ^ "Big Stone Lake State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/big_stone_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  15. ^ "Blue Mounds State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/blue_mounds/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  17. ^ "Buffalo River State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/buffalo_river/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  19. ^ "Camden State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/camden/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  21. ^ "Carley State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/carley/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  22. ^ "Cascade River State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cascade_river/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  23. ^ "Charles A. Lindbergh State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/charles_a_lindbergh/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  24. ^ "Charles A. Lindbergh State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Lindbergh.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  25. ^ "Crow Wing State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/crow_wing/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  26. ^ "Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cuyuna_country/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  27. ^ "Father Hennepin State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/father_hennepin/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  28. ^ "Afton State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  29. ^ "Flandrau State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Flandrau.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  30. ^ "Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  31. ^ "Fort Ridgely State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_ridgely/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  33. ^ "Fort Snelling State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  34. ^ "Franz Jevne State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/franz_jevne/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  35. ^ "Frontenac State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/frontenac/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  36. ^ "Garden Island State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/garden_island/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  37. ^ "George H. Crosby Manitou State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/george_crosby_manitou/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  38. ^ "Glacial Lakes State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glacial_lakes/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  39. ^ "Glendalough State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glendalough/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  40. ^ "Gooseberry Falls State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  42. ^ "Grand Portage State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/grand_portage/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  43. ^ "Great River Bluffs State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/great_river_bluffs/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  44. ^ "Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/greenleaf_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  45. ^ "Hill-Annex Mine State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/hill_annex_mine/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  46. ^ "Interstate State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/interstate/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  47. ^ "Interstate State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Interst.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  48. ^ "Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/trail_detail.html?id=13. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  49. ^ "Itasca State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  50. ^ "Jay Cooke State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/jay_cooke/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  52. ^ "John A. Latsch State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/john_latsch/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  53. ^ "Judge C. R. Magney State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/judge_cr_magney/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  54. ^ "Kilen Woods State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/kilen_woods/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  55. ^ "La Salle Lake State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/la_salle_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
  56. ^ "Lac qui Parle State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lac_qui_parle/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  58. ^ "Lake Bemidji State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_bemidji/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  59. ^ "Lake Bemidji State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Bemidji.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  60. ^ "Lake Bronson State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Bronson.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  61. ^ "Lake Carlos State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_carlos/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  62. ^ "Lake Carlos State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Carlos.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  63. ^ "Lake Louise State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_louise/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  64. ^ "Lake Maria State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_maria/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  65. ^ "Lake Shetek State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_shetek/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  66. ^ "Lake Shetek State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Shetek.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  67. ^ "Lake Vermilion State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_vermilion/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  68. ^ "Maplewood State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maplewood/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  69. ^ "McCarthy Beach State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mccarthy_beach/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  70. ^ "Mille Lacs Kathio State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  71. ^ "Minneopa State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  72. ^ "Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minnesota_valley/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  73. ^ "Monson Lake State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/monson_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  74. ^ "Monson Lake State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Monson.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  75. ^ "Moose Lake State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/moose_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  76. ^ "Myre-Big Island State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/myre_big_island/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  77. ^ "Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/nerstrand_big_woods/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  78. ^ "Old Mill State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/old_mill/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  79. ^ "Old Mill State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/OldMill.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
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  82. ^ "St. Croix State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/st_croix/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  89. ^ "Soudan Underground Mine State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/soudan_underground_mine/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  90. ^ "Split Rock Creek State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/split_rock_creek/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  91. ^ "Split Rock Lighthouse State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/split_rock_lighthouse/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  92. ^ "Temperance River State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/temperance_river/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  93. ^ "Tettegouche State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/tettegouche/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  94. ^ "Upper Sioux Agency State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/upper_sioux_agency/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  96. ^ "Whitewater State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Whitewater.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09. 
  97. ^ "Wild River State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  99. ^ "William O'Brien State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/william_obrien/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  100. ^ "Zippel Bay State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/zippel_bay/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
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  102. ^ a b Minnesota Statute § 85.013, Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
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  104. ^ "Blazing Star State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blazingstar/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  105. ^ "Harmony-Preston Valley Segment". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/harmony_preston.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  106. ^ "Root River Segment". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/root_river.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  107. ^ "Casey Jones State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/casey_jones/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  108. ^ "Central Lakes State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/central_lakes/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  109. ^ "Cuyuna Lakes State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/cuyuna_lakes/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  110. ^ "Douglas State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/douglas/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  111. ^ "Gateway State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/gateway/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  112. ^ "Gitchi-Gami State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/gitchigami/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  113. ^ "Glacial Lakes State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/glacial_lakes/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  114. ^ "Goodhue Pioneer State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/goodhue_pioneer/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  115. ^ "Great River Ridge State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/great_river_ridge/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  116. ^ "Heartland State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/heartland/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  117. ^ "Luce Line State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/luce_line/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  118. ^ "Minnesota Valley State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minnesota_valley/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  119. ^ "North Shore State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/north_shore/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  120. ^ "Paul Bunyan State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/paul_bunyan/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  121. ^ "Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/sakatah/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  122. ^ "Shooting Star State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/shootingstar/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  123. ^ "Taconite State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/taconite/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  124. ^ "Willard Munger State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/willard_munger/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22. 
  125. ^ "1957 Minn. Laws ch. 230". 2006 Minnesota Statutes sec. 810. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=current&section=85.10. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  126. ^ "1949 Minn. Laws ch. 425, sec. 1; 1959 Minn. Laws ch. 4, secs. 1,2". 2006 Minnesota Statutes sec. 812. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=current&section=85.12. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  127. ^ "Kaplan Woods Parkway". Parks & Recreation. City of Owatonna. Archived from the original on 2007-09-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20070916140357/http://www.ci.owatonna.mn.us/services/parks/park-kaplan.php. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 
  128. ^ "1965 Minn. Laws ch. 810, sec. 9". 2006 Minnesota Statutes sec. 816. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=current&section=85.16. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 

Further reading[]

  • Arthur, Anne. Minnesota's State Parks. Adventure Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-885061-51-X
  • Meyer, Roy Willard. Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1991. ISBN 0-87351-266-9

External links[]

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This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at List of Minnesota state parks. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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