- List of Minnesota state parks
-
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 (1,080 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 (48 ha) to Saint Croix State Park with 34,037 acres (13,774 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). 34 sites or districts among 28 Minnesota state parks are on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), 21 of which are developments constructed by New Deal-era job creation programs in the 1930s.
Contents
History
Minnesota's first attempt to create a state park came in 1885, when a 173-acre (70 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.[6]
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)[7] Date estab-
lished[4]:297Body of water Coordinates Remarks Image Afton State Park Washington 1,600 acres (650 ha) 1969 St. Croix River 44°51′45″N 92°47′01″W / 44.8624675°N 92.7835367°W Lies on a glacial moraine with deep ravines that drop 300 feet (91 m) down to the St. Croix River.[8] 
Banning State Park Pine 5,597 acres (2,265 ha) 1963 Kettle River 46°10′15″N 92°50′39″W / 46.1707812°N 92.8440889°W Contains 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of whitewater rapids and the remains of a historic quarry operation.[9] 
Bear Head Lake State Park St. Louis 3,013 acres (1,219 ha) 1961 Bear Head Lake 47°47′47″N 92°04′37″W / 47.7963051°N 92.0768231°W Provides road access and modern camping facilities in an environment similar to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.[10] Beaver Creek Valley State Park Houston 715 acres (289 ha) 1937 East Beaver Creek 43°38′34″N 91°34′55″W / 43.6427458°N 91.5818101°W Showcases the rugged topography of the Driftless Area in a narrow valley carved by a trout stream.[11] 
Big Bog State Recreation Area Beltrami 9,170 acres (3,710 ha) 2000[7] Red Lake, Tamarac River 48°10′22″N 94°30′43″W / 48.172761°N 94.512033°W Encompasses part of the largest peatland in the Lower 48 states (a National Natural Landmark) and a prime walleye fishery.[12] 
Big Stone Lake State Park Big Stone 980 acres (400 ha) 1961 Big Stone Lake 45°22′57″N 96°30′47″W / 45.3824644°N 96.5131148°W Protects two sections of shoreline on Big Stone Lake, the source of the Minnesota River.[13] Blue Mounds State Park Rock 1,567 acres (634 ha) 1937 Mound Creek 43°42′25″N 96°11′13″W / 43.7069134°N 96.1869728°W Protects an escarpment of Sioux Quartzite and Minnesota's only public bison herd.[14] A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[15] 
Buffalo River State Park Clay 1,068 acres (432 ha) 1937 Buffalo River 46°51′56″N 96°28′04″W / 46.8655165°N 96.4678474°W Preserves one of the state's largest and best tallgrass prairies together with an adjacent property of The Nature Conservancy.[16] A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[17] 
Camden State Park Lyon 1,855 acres (751 ha) 1935 Redwood River 44°21′45″N 95°55′30″W / 44.362462°N 95.9250247°W Preserves a forested river valley in the midst of prairie and farm country.[18] A district of VCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[19] 
Carley State Park Wabasha 209 acres (85 ha) 1949 Whitewater River 44°07′00″N 92°10′34″W / 44.1166318°N 92.1760002°W Donated by State Senator James A. Carley to protect a stand of white pines. Used as an overflow campground for nearby Whitewater State Park.[20] 
Cascade River State Park Cook 2,867 acres (1,160 ha) 1957 Lake Superior and Cascade River 47°42′35″N 90°31′20″W / 47.7097222°N 90.5222222°W Stretches along 10.5 miles (16.9 km) of Lake Superior coastline in land rehabilitated after construction of Minnesota State Highway 61.[21] A WPA highway wayside is on the NRHP. 
Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Morrison 417 acres (169 ha) 1931 Mississippi River 45°57′32″N 94°23′43″W / 45.9588545°N 94.3952813°W Contains the restored home of Congressman Charles August Lindbergh and his son Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator.[22] The house is a National Historic Landmark, and a district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[23] 
Crow Wing State Park Crow Wing, Cass, and Morrison 2,335 acres (945 ha) 1959 Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers 46°16′20″N 94°20′00″W / 46.2722222°N 94.3333333°W Interprets the site of Old Crow Wing, an important town and trading center in the mid-19th century. The entire park is on the NRHP.[24] 
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Crow Wing 6,850 acres (2,770 ha) 1993 Chain of small lakes and streams, filled pit mines 46°29′22″N 93°58′39″W / 46.489550°N 93.977500°W In development as the land is rehabilitated from open-pit iron mining. Includes Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake, the state's deepest lake.[25] 
Father Hennepin State Park Mille Lacs 275 acres (111 ha) 1941 Mille Lacs Lake 46°08′41″N 93°29′17″W / 46.1446779°N 93.4880157°W Provides lakeside recreation in the region visited by Father Louis Hennepin during a French expedition in 1680.[26] 
Flandrau State Park Brown 840 acres (340 ha) 1937 Cottonwood River 44°17′18″N 94°28′25″W / 44.2882956°N 94.4735837°W Created to provide water recreation near New Ulm.[27] Entire park is a district of CCC and WPA structures on the NRHP.[28] 
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park Fillmore 3,163 acres (1,280 ha) 1963 South Branch Root River and tributaries 43°37′32″N 92°14′51″W / 43.6255204°N 92.247388°W Encompasses the historic townsite of Forestville, the state's longest explored cave, and three blue-ribbon trout streams.[29] 
Fort Ridgely State Park Nicollet and Renville 537 acres (217 ha) 1911 Fort Ridgely Creek 44°27′09″N 94°43′51″W / 44.4524621°N 94.7308199°W Surrounds Fort Ridgely, site of the Battle of Fort Ridgely during the Dakota War of 1862. Includes the only golf course in a Minnesota state park and a large district of CCC structures on the NRHP.[30][31] 
Fort Snelling State Park Ramsey, Hennepin, and Dakota 1,825 acres (739 ha) 1961 Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers 44°53′09″N 93°10′41″W / 44.8857988°N 93.1779985°W 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.[32] 
Franz Jevne State Park Koochiching 118 acres (48 ha) 1967 Rainy River 48°38′32″N 94°04′49″W / 48.642240°N 94.080410°W 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.[33] Frontenac State Park Goodhue 2,226 acres (901 ha) 1957 Lake Pepin on Mississippi River 44°30′27″N 92°19′35″W / 44.5074677°N 92.3262914°W Attracts 260 species of year-round and migrant birds with its variety of habitats. Includes a natural arch atop a 430 ft (130 m) bluff.[34] 
Garden Island State Recreation Area Lake of the Woods 715 acres (289 ha) 1998[7] Lake of the Woods 49°10′31″N 94°50′05″W / 49.175335°N 94.834671°W Comprises a nearly undeveloped island, 15 mi (24 km) from the closest mainland marinas, that once bore Native American gardens.[35] George H. Crosby Manitou State Park Lake 6,200 acres (2,500 ha) 1955 Manitou River 47°30′22″N 91°06′33″W / 47.506018°N 91.109045°W Contains undeveloped North Woods wilderness geared towards backpackers.[36] Glacial Lakes State Park Pope 1,857 acres (752 ha) 1963 Several kettle lakes 45°32′15″N 95°31′19″W / 45.537461°N 95.521983°W Preserves rolling tallgrass prairie amidst the glacial landforms of the Leaf Hills Moraines.[37] 
Glendalough State Park Otter Tail 1,924 acres (779 ha) 1991[7] Six kettle lakes 46°20′00″N 95°40′00″W / 46.3333333°N 95.6666667°W 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.[38] 
Gooseberry Falls State Park Lake 1,741 acres (705 ha) 1937 Lake Superior, Gooseberry River 47°08′49″N 91°27′48″W / 47.1468715°N 91.4632289°W 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.[39][40] 
Grand Portage State Park Cook 278 acres (113 ha) 1989 Pigeon River 48°00′37″N 89°36′43″W / 48.0101633°N 89.6120317°W 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.[41] 
Great River Bluffs State Park Winona 2,122 acres (859 ha) 1971 Mississippi River 43°56′47″N 91°23′58″W / 43.9463526°N 91.3993094°W Features 500-foot-high (150 m) bluffs and steep goat prairies. Formerly named O.L. Kipp State Park.[42] 
Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area Meeker 1,230 acres (500 ha) 2004 Greenleaf and Sioux Lakes 45°00′57″N 94°28′00″W / 45.01591°N 94.46671°W In development and open for limited day-use recreation.[43] 
Hayes Lake State Park Roseau 2,118 acres (857 ha) 1967 Hayes Lake, North Fork Roseau River 48°37′24″N 95°30′28″W / 48.6233095°N 95.5077539°W 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 634 acres (257 ha) 1988 Filled pit mine 47°19′39″N 93°16′39″W / 47.327490°N 93.277520°W Offers tours of a former open-pit iron mine and fossil collecting. A district of mine structures is on the NRHP.[44] 
Interstate State Park Chisago 288 acres (117 ha) 1895 St. Croix River 45°23′42″N 92°40′11″W / 45.3949622°N 92.6696521°W Created in conjunction with a state park in Wisconsin to protect a basalt gorge and glacial potholes.[45] Two districts of CCC and WPA structures are on the NRHP.[46] 
Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area St. Louis 1,864 acres (754 ha) 2002 Lake Ore-be-gone 47°28′57″N 92°26′37″W / 47.48247°N 92.44349°W Provides 36 miles (58 km) of trails for off highway vehicles.[47] Itasca State Park Hubbard, Clearwater, and Becker 30,553 acres (12,364 ha) 1891 Lake Itasca 47°11′51″N 95°12′07″W / 47.1974579°N 95.2019642°W Minnesota's oldest state park, which preserves the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The entire park is on the NRHP for numerous prehistoric to 20th Century sites. An area of the park is a National Natural Landmark.[48] 
Jay Cooke State Park Carlton 8,125 acres (3,288 ha) 1915 Saint Louis River 46°38′59″N 92°19′51″W / 46.6496646°N 92.330748°W Showcases a rocky, whitewater-strewn river churning through the North Woods.[49] Three districts of CCC and WPA structures are on the NRHP.[50] 
John A. Latsch State Park Winona 409 acres (166 ha) 1925 Mississippi River 44°09′43″N 91°49′20″W / 44.1619082°N 91.8220997°W Features three steep river bluffs.[51] 
Judge C. R. Magney State Park Cook 4,323 acres (1,749 ha) 1957 Lake Superior, Brule River 47°51′05″N 90°03′30″W / 47.8512799°N 90.0584299°W Contains the geologically unexplained Devil's Kettle, a large glacial kettle into which half of the Brule River disappears.[52] 
Kilen Woods State Park Jackson 202 acres (82 ha) 1945 Des Moines River 43°43′36″N 95°03′47″W / 43.7266244°N 95.0630473°W Preserves a riverside parcel of forested hills on the Coteau des Prairies.[53] La Salle Lake State Recreation Area Hubbard 1,000 acres (400 ha) 2011 Mississippi River, La Salle Lake 47°20′14″N 95°10′14″W / 47.33719°N 95.17061°W In development around the second-deepest lake in Minnesota.[54] Lac qui Parle State Park Lac qui Parle and Chippewa 897 acres (363 ha) 1959 Lac qui Parle, Minnesota and Lac qui Parle Rivers 45°01′14″N 95°53′20″W / 45.0205141°N 95.888921°W Attracts thousands of migrating waterfowl, earning it the name "Lake that Speaks."[55] A district of WPA buildings is on the NRHP.[56] Lake Bemidji State Park Beltrami 1,653 acres (669 ha) 1923 Lake Bemidji 47°32′11″N 94°49′22″W / 47.5363413°N 94.8227704°W Features a recreational lakeshore and a spruce-tamarack bog.[57] A district of CCC and National Youth Administration structures is on the NRHP.[58] 
Lake Bronson State Park Kittson 2,806 acres (1,136 ha) 1937 Lake Bronson, South Branch Two Rivers 48°43′29″N 96°36′12″W / 48.7247004°N 96.6033741°W Features a reservoir created during a drought in the 1930s. A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[59] 
Lake Carlos State Park Douglas 1,175 acres (476 ha) 1937 Lake Carlos 45°59′12″N 95°19′40″W / 45.9866293°N 95.3278143°W Preserves diverse habitats from prairie to hardwood forest to tamarack bog in a transition zone.[60] Two areas of WPA structures are on the NRHP.[61] 
Lake Louise State Park Mower 849 acres (344 ha) 1963 Lake Louise, Upper and Little Iowa Rivers 43°32′01″N 92°31′32″W / 43.5335762°N 92.5254538°W 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.[62] 
Lake Maria State Park Wright 1,475 acres (597 ha) 1963 Several kettle lakes 45°18′50″N 93°57′26″W / 45.3138543°N 93.9572003°W Provides a lightly developed wilderness area near Minneapolis – Saint Paul in a morainal landscape of Big Woods.[63] 
Lake Shetek State Park Murray County 1,109 acres (449 ha) 1937 Lake Shetek 44°06′08″N 95°41′24″W / 44.1021838°N 95.6900114°W Features remnants of pioneer history around the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota.[64] A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.[65] 
Lake Vermilion State Park St. Louis 2,875 acres (1,163 ha)[7] 2010[7] Lake Vermilion 47°50′05″N 92°11′53″W / 47.83471°N 92.19812°W Recently purchased and in development on the fifth-largest lake in Minnesota.[66] 
Maplewood State Park Otter Tail 8,127 acres (3,289 ha) 1963 Several kettle lakes 46°32′01″N 95°56′57″W / 46.5335703°N 95.9492193°W Preserves a forest/prairie transition zone in the Leaf Hills Moraines.[67] A Native American archaeological site is on the NRHP. 
McCarthy Beach State Park St. Louis 1,908 acres (772 ha) 1945 Sturgeon and Side Lakes 47°40′22″N 93°01′49″W / 47.6727068°N 93.0301834°W Features a .5-mile-long (0.80 km) beach on an isthmus between two lakes.[68] 
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Mille Lacs 9,786 acres (3,960 ha) 1957 Mille Lacs Lake, Rum River 46°07′44″N 93°44′26″W / 46.1288485°N 93.7405269°W Preserves 19 identified archaeological sites dating back 9000 years. The entire park is a National Historic Landmark.[69] 
Minneopa State Park Blue Earth 1,617 acres (654 ha) 1905 Minnesota River, Minneopa Creek 44°09′44″N 94°06′08″W / 44.1621879°N 94.1021803°W Showcases the largest waterfall in southern Minnesota. The 1864 Seppman Mill and a district of WPA structures are each on the NRHP.[70] 
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area Hennepin, Dakota, Scott, Carver, Sibley, and Le Sueur 6,442 acres (2,607 ha) 1969 Minnesota River 44°39′43″N 93°42′12″W / 44.661999°N 93.703337°W Comprises non-contiguous sections interspersed with units of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the valley formed by Glacial River Warren.[71] 
Monson Lake State Park Swift County 343 acres (139 ha) 1937 Monson and West Sunberg Lakes 45°19′14″N 95°16′30″W / 45.3205175°N 95.2750235°W Established as a memorial to settlers who died in the Dakota War of 1862.[72] A district of CCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[73] 
Moose Lake State Park Carlton 829 acres (335 ha) 1971 Moosehead and Echo Lakes 46°26′11″N 92°43′31″W / 46.436319°N 92.72521°W Provides water recreation and an exhibit hall on Lake Superior agates (the state gemstone) and the geology of Minnesota.[74] 
Myre-Big Island State Park Freeborn 1,578 acres (639 ha) 1947 Albert Lea Lake 43°37′26″N 93°17′21″W / 43.6238465°N 93.2890959°W 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.[75] 
Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park Rice 1,646 acres (666 ha) 1945 Prairie Creek 44°20′43″N 93°06′27″W / 44.3452425°N 93.1074337°W Preserves a remnant stand of Big Woods.[76] 
Old Mill State Park Marshall 287 acres (116 ha) 1951 Middle River 48°21′41″N 96°34′13″W / 48.361364°N 96.5703288°W Features two mills and a log cabin from the late 19th Century.[77] The Larson Mill and a district of WPA structures are each on the NRHP.[78] 
Red River State Recreation Area Polk 104 acres (42 ha) 1997 Red River of the North and Red Lake River 47°55′58″N 97°02′08″W / 47.9327778°N 97.0355556°W 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.[79] Rice Lake State Park Steele and Dodge 712 acres (288 ha) 1963 Rice Lake 44°05′15″N 93°03′41″W / 44.0874639°N 93.061315°W Surrounds a shallow lake which attracts migrating waterfowl.[80] 
St. Croix Islands State Recreation Area Washington 25 acres (10 ha) 1935 St. Croix River 45°05′07″N 92°47′10″W / 45.08524°N 92.78608°W 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 State Park Pine 31,775 acres (12,859 ha) 1943 St. Croix River 45°58′27″N 92°35′01″W / 45.9741154°N 92.5835304°W 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.[81] 
Sakatah Lake State Park Le Sueur and Rice 810 acres (330 ha) 1963 Sakatah Lake on the Cannon River 44°13′16″N 93°32′09″W / 44.2210746°N 93.5357792°W Features a transitional zone between prairie and Big Woods on a natural widening of the Cannon River.[82] 
Savanna Portage State Park Aitkin and St. Louis 15,277 acres (6,182 ha) 1961 East and West Savanna Rivers, numerous kettle lakes 46°50′15″N 93°09′24″W / 46.8374455°N 93.1566054°W 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.[83] 
Scenic State Park Itasca 2,370 acres (960 ha) 1921 Sandwick and Coon Lakes 47°42′57″N 93°33′47″W / 47.7157733°N 93.5629701°W 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.[84] Schoolcraft State Park Cass and Itasca 141 acres (57 ha) 1959 Mississippi River 47°13′30″N 93°48′00″W / 47.2249502°N 93.7999449°W 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.[85] 
Sibley State Park Kandiyohi 2,540 acres (1,030 ha) 1919 Lake Andrew and other kettle lakes 45°19′11″N 95°01′23″W / 45.3196867°N 95.0230696°W Honors Henry Hastings Sibley, the first governor of Minnesota, with a popular recreational lakeshore and a morainal landscape.[86] A district of CCC structures is on the NRHP.[87] 
Soudan Underground Mine State Park St. Louis 974 acres (394 ha) 1963 Lake Vermilion 47°49′29″N 92°15′23″W / 47.8246403°N 92.2562691°W 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.[88] 
Split Rock Creek State Park Pipestone 947 acres (383 ha) 1937 Split Rock Lake 43°53′53″N 96°21′51″W / 43.8980264°N 96.3642032°W Features a recreational reservoir on the Coteau des Prairies.[89] 
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Lake 2,112 acres (855 ha) 1945 Lake Superior, Split Rock River 47°11′32″N 91°23′35″W / 47.1921472°N 91.3929484°W Surrounds the clifftop Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States.[90] The lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark and the Madeira shipwreck is on the NRHP. 
Temperance River State Park Cook 1,134 acres (459 ha) 1957 Lake Superior, Temperance and Cross Rivers 47°33′16″N 90°52′21″W / 47.5543466°N 90.8723722°W 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.[91] 
Tettegouche State Park Lake 8,998 acres (3,641 ha) 1979 Lake Superior and Baptism River 47°21′32″N 91°15′51″W / 47.358806°N 91.2640506°W 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.[92] 
Upper Sioux Agency State Park Yellow Medicine 1,065 acres (431 ha) 1963 Minnesota and Yellow Medicine Rivers 44°44′17″N 95°27′14″W / 44.7380132°N 95.4539039°W Interprets the site of the agency that administered a Dakota Indian reservation until it was destroyed during the Dakota War of 1862.[93] Whitewater State Park Winona 1,672 acres (677 ha) 1919 Whitewater River 44°03′30″N 92°03′32″W / 44.058297°N 92.0587726°W Showcases a popular steep-sided river valley in the Driftless Area.[94] A large district of CCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[95] 
Wild River State Park Chisago 6,574 acres (2,660 ha) 1973 St. Croix River 45°34′05″N 92°52′33″W / 45.5680159°N 92.8757696°W Follows 18 miles (29 km) of one of the first waterways designated a National Wild and Scenic River.[96] 
William O'Brien State Park Washington 1,783 acres (722 ha) 1947 St. Croix River 45°13′10″N 92°45′58″W / 45.2194109°N 92.7660423°W Provides outdoor recreation opportunities near Minneapolis – Saint Paul.[97] 
Zippel Bay State Park Lake of the Woods 2,826 acres (1,144 ha) 1959 Lake of the Woods 48°51′50″N 94°51′34″W / 48.8638742°N 94.8593862°W Provides water recreation and birdwatching opportunities on the shore of the country's sixth largest lake.[98] State waysides
The state park system includes eight waysides, most of them along Minnesota State Highway 61 on the North Shore.[99] 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]:299Coordinates Remarks[100] Image Caribou Falls State Wayside Lake 1947 47°27′52″N 91°01′51″W / 47.46452°N 91.03084°W Includes a waterfall on the Caribou River. Formerly Caribou Falls State Park.[4]:166 
Devils Track Falls State Wayside Cook 1961 47°46′41″N 90°16′58″W / 47.77804°N 90.28273°W 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°N 91.64254°W A rocky Lake Superior beach just outside Two Harbors.[4]:248 
Inspiration Peak State Wayside Otter Tail 1931 46°08′14″N 95°34′41″W / 46.13714°N 95.57809°W The highest point of the Leaf Hills Moraines.[4]:95 
Joseph R. Brown State Wayside Renville 1937 44°45′01″N 95°19′28″W / 44.750328°N 95.324425°W The ruins of Joseph R. Brown's three-story mansion, destroyed during the Dakota War of 1862.[4]:134 Kodonce River State Wayside Cook 1947 47°47′38″N 90°09′15″W / 47.79393°N 90.15414°W 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°N 90.76943°W 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°N 96.84141°W 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[7] Length in miles (km)[7] Surface Remarks Arrowhead State Trail Tower – International Falls 135 miles (217 km) Unpaved Serves primarily as a winter snowmobile route, branching off the Taconite State Trail.[101] Blazing Star State Trail Albert Lea – Myre-Big Island State Park 6 miles (9.7 km) Paved Planned to continue to Austin and connect with the Shooting Star State Trail.[102] Blufflands State Trail: Harmony-Preston Valley Segment Harmony – Preston 18 miles (29 km) Paved Climbs out of the Root River Valley.[103] Blufflands State Trail: Root River Segment Fountain – Houston 42 miles (68 km) Paved Extends along the Root River.[104] Casey Jones State Trail Pipestone – Murray County,
Lake Shetek State Park – Currie19 miles (31 km) Partly paved Invokes legendary train engineer Casey Jones in three unconnected segments that reflect railroad and pioneer history.[105] Central Lakes State Trail Osakis – Fergus Falls 55 miles (89 km) Paved Skirts a series of glacially formed lakes in Central Minnesota and connects to the Lake Wobegon Trails.[106] Cuyuna Lakes State Trail Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area 6 miles (9.7 km) Paved Wends through a regenerating open-pit mining area and connects with several mountain biking trails.[107] Douglas State Trail Pine Island – Rochester 13 miles (21 km) Parallel paved and unpaved Stretches through the rural scenery of a rich agricultural region.[108] Gateway State Trail St. Paul – Pine Point Regional Park 18 miles (29 km) Paved with 10 miles (16 km) of parallel unpaved Extends from an urban setting to a rural park near Stillwater.[109] Gitchi-Gami State Trail Gooseberry Falls State Park – Beaver Bay,
Schroeder – Tofte25 miles (40 km) Paved Runs along the shore of Lake Superior in multiple unconnected segments. Planned to run continuously from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.[110] Glacial Lakes State Trail Hawick – Willmar 22 miles (35 km) Parallel paved and unpaved Traverses gently rolling glacial landforms.[111] Goodhue Pioneer State Trail Red Wing – Hay Creek Township,
Zumbrota10 miles (16 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Exists in two sections, but planned to run from Red Wing to Pine Island.[112] Great River Ridge State Trail Plainview – Eyota 13 miles (21 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Wends past the river bluffs of the Driftless Area.[113] Heartland State Trail Park Rapids – Cass Lake 49 miles (79 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Passes through mixed northern forests, intersecting with the Paul Bunyan State Trail.[114] Luce Line State Trail Plymouth – Cosmos 63 miles (101 km) Unpaved Stretches from the Minneapolis suburbs out to a rural landscape.[115] Minnesota Valley State Trail Shakopee – Belle Plain 42 miles (68 km) Mostly unpaved Follows the Minnesota River.[116] North Shore State Trail Duluth – Grand Marais 146 miles (235 km) Unpaved Traverses the inland backcountry of the North Shore, primarily as a winter snowmobile route.[117] Paul Bunyan State Trail Brainerd – Lake Bemidji State Park 112 miles (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.[118] Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail Faribault – Mankato 39 miles (63 km) Paved with some parallel unpaved Follows the Cannon River and passes through Sakatah Lake State Park.[119] Shooting Star State Trail LeRoy – Adams 14 miles (23 km) Paved Crosses open country and passes through Lake Louise State Park.[120] Taconite State Trail Grand Rapids – Ely 155 miles (249 km) Mostly unpaved Serves primarily as a winter snowmobile route, intersecting with the Arrowhead State Trail.[121] Willard Munger State Trail Hinckley – Duluth,
Wrenshall – Carlton,
Chengwatana State Forest – Holyoke76 miles (122 km) Paved Honors state legislator and trail advocate Willard Munger with a trail system of three segments.[122] 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][100] The other former units were:
Former name Date
establishedDate
redesignatedResult Alexander Ramsey State Park[4]:43[123] 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[124] 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[125] 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[126] 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
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Minnesota's Submerged Cultural Resources Preservation Plan". Minnesota Historical Society. June 1997. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mgmtplan/plan0697.html. Retrieved June 07, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Guide to Minnesota State Parks and Trails 2011. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2011.
- ^ "Afton State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Banning State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/banning/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Blue Mounds State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Bluemnds.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Buffalo River State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Buffalo.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "Camden State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/camden/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Camden State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Camden.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "Carley State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/carley/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Afton State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Fort Ridgely State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Fort.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Frontenac State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/frontenac/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Glendalough State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glendalough/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Gooseberry Falls State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Gooseberry.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Interstate State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/interstate/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Itasca State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Jay Cooke State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/JayCooke.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Lac qui Parle State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/LacQui.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Maplewood State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maplewood/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Minneopa State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Red River State Recreation Area". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/red_river/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Rice Lake State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rice_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Sakatah Lake State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sakatah_lake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Savanna Portage State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/savanna_portage/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Scenic State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. 2001. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Scenic.html. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Schoolcraft State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/schoolcraft/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Sibley State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Sibley State Park". Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Sibley.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Tettegouche State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/tettegouche/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Whitewater State Park". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "State Park Waysides: Minnesota DNR". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/waysides/index.html. Retrieved June 07, 2011.
- ^ a b Minnesota Statute § 85.013, Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
- ^ "Arrowhead State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/arrowhead/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Blazing Star State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blazingstar/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Root River Segment". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/root_river.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Douglas State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/douglas/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Gateway State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/gateway/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Gitchi-Gami State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/gitchigami/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Heartland State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/heartland/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Shooting Star State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/shootingstar/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Taconite State Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/taconite/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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§ion=85.10. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "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§ion=85.12. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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§ion=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
- Minnesota State Parks on the Department of Natural Resources website
- 2006 Minnesota Statute sec. 85.012 State parks—statutory list
- Minnesota State Park System—Legislative Auditor Report
Protected areas of Minnesota National Parks National Monuments National Park Service National Wildlife Refuges Agassiz • Big Stone • Crane Meadows • Glacial Ridge • Hamden Slough • Mille Lacs • Minnesota Valley • Northern Tallgrass Prairie • Rice Lake • Rydell • Sherburne • Tamarac • Upper Mississippi River
National Forests National Natural Landmarks Ancient River Warren Channel • Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve • Itasca Natural Area • Keeley Creek Natural Area • Lac la Croix Research Natural Area • Lake Agassiz Peatlands Natural Area • Pine Point Research Natural Area • Upper Red Lake Peatland
State Parks Afton • Banning • Bear Head Lake • Beaver Creek Valley • Big Bog State Recreation Area • Big Stone Lake • Blue Mounds • Buffalo River • Camden • Carley • Cascade River • Charles A. Lindbergh • Crow Wing • Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area • Father Hennepin • Flandrau • Forestville Mystery Cave • Fort Ridgely • Fort Snelling • Franz Jevne • Frontenac • Garden Island State Recreation Area • George H. Crosby Manitou • Glacial Lakes • Glendalough • Gooseberry Falls • Grand Portage • Great River Bluffs • Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area • Hayes Lake • Hill-Annex Mine • Interstate • Itasca • Jay Cooke • John A. Latsch • Judge C. R. Magney • Kilen Woods • Lac qui Parle • Lake Bemidji • Lake Bronson • Lake Carlos • Lake Louise • Lake Maria • Lake Shetek • Maplewood • McCarthy Beach • Mille Lacs Kathio • Minneopa State Park • Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area • Monson Lake • Moose Lake • Myre-Big Island • Nerstrand-Big Woods • Old Mill • Red River State Recreation Area • Rice Lake • Saint Croix • Sakatah Lake • Savanna Portage • Scenic • Schoolcraft • Sibley • Soudan Underground Mine • Split Rock Creek • Split Rock Lighthouse • Temperance River • Tettegouche • Upper Sioux Agency • Whitewater • Wild River • William O'Brien • Zippel Bay
State Forests Badoura • Battleground • Bear Island • Beltrami Island • Big Fork • Birch Lakes • Blackduck • Bowstring • Buena Vista • Burntside • Chengwatana • Cloquet Valley • Crow Wing • D.A.R. • Emily • Finland • Fond du Lac • Foot Hills • General C. C. Andrews • George Washington • Golden Anniversary • Grand Portage • Hill River • Huntersville • Insula Lake • Jeanette • Kabetogama • Koochiching • Lake Isabella • Lake of the Woods • Land O'Lakes • Lost River • Lyons • Mississippi Headwaters • Nemadji • Northwest Angle • Pat Bayle • Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood
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Categories:- Lists of parks by U.S. state
- Minnesota state parks
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