Minnesota State Parks

Park nameCounty or CountiesSizeYear EstablishedWater Body(s) RemarksImage
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Afton State ParkWashington1,6006501969St. Croix River Lies on a glacial moraine with deep ravines that drop 300 feet (91 m) down to the St. Croix RiverAftonStateParkStCroixRiver.jpg
Banning State ParkPine5,5972,2651963Kettle River Contains 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of whitewater rapids and the remains of a historic quarry operationBanningStateParkWolfCreekFalls.jpg
Bear Head Lake State ParkSt. Louis3,0131,2191961Bear Head Lake Provides road access and modern camping facilities in an environment similar to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.Bear Head Lake State Park.JPG
Beaver Creek Valley State ParkHouston7152891937East Beaver Creek Showcases the rugged topography of the Driftless Area in a narrow valley carved by a trout streamBeaverCreekValleyStatePark1.jpg
Big Bog State Recreation AreaBeltrami9,1703,7102000Red Lake, Tamarac River Encompasses part of the largest peatland in the Lower 48 states (a National Natural Landmark) and a prime walleye fishery.Big Bog State Recreation Area.jpg
Big Stone Lake State ParkBig Stone9804001961Big Stone Lake Protects two sections of shoreline on Big Stone Lake, the source of the Minnesota RiverBig Stone Lake fishing dock.JPG
Blue Mounds State ParkRock1,5676341937Mound Creek Protects an escarpment of Sioux Quartzite and Minnesota’s only public bison herd A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.BlueMoundsStatePark.jpg
Buffalo River State ParkClay1,0684321937Buffalo River Preserves part of one of the state’s largest and best tallgrass prairies. A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.Buffalo River State Park MN.jpg
Camden State ParkLyon1,8557511935Redwood River Preserves a forested river valley in the midst of prairie and farm country. A district of VCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.Redwood River Camden.jpg
Carley State ParkWabasha209851949Whitewater River Donated by State Senator James A. Carley to protect a stand of white pines. Used as an overflow campground for nearby Whitewater State Park.CarleyStateParkMinnesota2006-08.JPG
Cascade River State ParkCook2,8671,1601957Lake Superior and Cascade River Stretches along 10.5 miles (16.9 km) of Lake Superior coastline in land rehabilitated after construction of Minnesota State Highway 61. A WPA highway wayside is on the NRHP.CascadeParkMN arf (2).JPG
Charles A. Lindbergh State ParkMorrison4171691931Mississippi River Contains the restored home of Congressman Charles August Lindbergh and his son Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator. The house is a National Historic Landmark, and a district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.CharlesLindberghHouse.jpg
Crow Wing State ParkCrow Wing, Cass, and Morrison2,3359451959Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers 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.CrowWingStateParkBeaulieauHouse.jpg
Cuyuna Country State Recreation AreaCrow Wing6,8502,7701993Chain of small lakes and streams, filled pit mines In development as the land is rehabilitated from open-pit iron mining. Includes Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake, the state’s deepest lake.Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Switchback Trail.jpg
Father Hennepin State ParkMille Lacs2751111941Mille Lacs Lake Provides lakeside recreation in the region visited by Father Louis Hennepin during a French expedition in 1680.Father Hennepin MNSP Marsh.JPG
Flandrau State ParkBrown8403401937Cottonwood River Created to provide water recreation near New Ulm. Entire park is a district of CCC and WPA structures on the NRHP.FlandrauStateParkBeachHouse.jpg
Forestville/Mystery Cave State ParkFillmore3,1631,2801963South Branch Root River and tributaries Encompasses the historic townsite of Forestville, the state’s longest explored cave, and three blue-ribbon trout streams.ForestvilleMNbridge.jpg
Fort Ridgely State ParkNicollet and Renville5372171911Fort Ridgely Creek 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.FortRidgely1.jpg
Fort Snelling State ParkRamsey, Hennepin, and Dakota1,8257391961Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers 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.Fort Snelling Round Tower.JPG
Franz Jevne State ParkKoochiching118481967Rainy River 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.Franz Jevne State Park - Rainy River, Minnesota US-Canada Border.jpg
Frontenac State ParkGoodhue2,2269011957Lake Pepin on Mississippi River Attracts 260 species of year-round and migrant birds with its variety of habitats. Includes a natural arch atop a 430-foot (130 m) bluff.Mississippi River w Lake Pepin in background at Frontenac State Park.jpg
Garden Island State Recreation AreaLake of the Woods7152891998Lake of the Woods Comprises a nearly undeveloped island, 15 mi (24 km) from the closest mainland marinas, that once bore Native American gardens. 
George H. Crosby Manitou State ParkLake6,2002,5001955Manitou River Contains undeveloped North Woods wilderness geared towards backpackers.George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park WMRT.jpg
Glacial Lakes State ParkPope1,8577521963Several kettle lakes Preserves rolling tallgrass prairie amidst the glacial landforms of the Leaf Hills Moraines.GlacialLakesStatePark.jpg
Glendalough State ParkOtter Tail1,9247791991Six kettle lakes 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.GlendaloughStatePark.jpg
Gooseberry Falls State ParkLake1,7417051937Lake Superior, Gooseberry River 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.Gooseberry Falls State Park 2.JPG
Grand Portage State ParkCook2781131989Pigeon River 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.HighFallsPigeonRiver.jpg
Great River Bluffs State ParkWinona2,1228591963Mississippi River Features 500-foot-high (150 m) bluffs and steep goat prairies. Formerly named O.L. Kipp State Park.KingsAndQueensBluffs.jpg
Greenleaf Lake State Recreation AreaMeeker1,2305002004Greenleaf and Sioux Lakes In development and open for limited day-use recreation.Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area.jpg
Hayes Lake State ParkRoseau2,1188571967Hayes Lake, North Fork Roseau River Provides fishing and swimming opportunities in an exclusively recreational reservoir free of agricultural runoff or water level fluctuations for irrigation or power generation.Hayes Lake Bog Boardwalk Hayes Lake State Park Minnesota (36305896241).jpg
Hill-Annex Mine State ParkItasca6342571988Filled pit mine Offers tours of a former open-pit iron mine and fossil collecting. A district of mine structures is on the NRHP.Hill-Annex Mine State Park.jpg
Interstate State ParkChisago2881171895St. Croix River Created in conjunction with a state park in Wisconsin to protect a basalt gorge and glacial potholes. Two districts of CCC and WPA structures are on the NRHP.Dalles Of St Croix.jpg
Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation AreaSt. Louis1,8647542002Lake Ore-be-gone Provides 36 miles (58 km) of trails for off highway vehicles.Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area, Minnesota (28064197648).jpg
Itasca State ParkHubbard, Clearwater, and Becker30,55312,3641891Lake Itasca 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.Mississippi River at Itasca.jpg
Jay Cooke State ParkCarlton8,1253,2881915Saint Louis River Showcases a rocky, whitewater-strewn river churning through the North Woods. Three districts of CCC and WPA structures and a long-used portage route are on the NRHP.JayCookeStatePark1.jpg
John A. Latsch State ParkWinona4091661925Mississippi River Features three steep river bluffs.John A. Latsch State Park overlook.jpg
Judge C. R. Magney State ParkCook4,3231,7491957Lake Superior, Brule River Contains the Devil’s Kettle, a large glacial kettle into which half of the Brule River disappears.JudgeCRMagneyStateParkDevilsKettleFalls.jpg
Kilen Woods State ParkJackson202821945Des Moines River Preserves a riverside parcel of forested hills on the Coteau des Prairies.Kilen Woods State Park overlook.JPG
La Salle Lake State Recreation AreaHubbard1,0004002011Mississippi River, La Salle Lake In development around the second-deepest lake in Minnesota.La Salle Lake State Recreation Area.JPG
Lac qui Parle State ParkLac qui Parle and Chippewa8973631959Lac qui Parle, Minnesota and Lac qui Parle Rivers Attracts thousands of migrating waterfowl, earning it the name “Lake that Speaks.” A district of WPA buildings is on the NRHP.Lac qui Parle.jpg
Lake Bemidji State ParkBeltrami1,6536691923Lake Bemidji Features a recreational lakeshore and a spruce-tamarack bog. A district of CCC and National Youth Administration structures is on the NRHP.BemidjiStatePark-HiddenLake.jpg
Lake Bronson State ParkKittson2,8061,1361937Lake Bronson, South Branch Two Rivers Features a reservoir created during a drought in the 1930s. A district of WPA structures is on the NRHP.LakeBronsonStateParkTower.jpg
Lake Carlos State ParkDouglas1,1754761937Lake Carlos Preserves diverse habitats from prairie to hardwood forest to tamarack bog in a transition zone. Two districts of WPA structures are on the NRHP.LakeCarlosStatePark.jpg
Lake Louise State ParkMower8493441963Lake Louise, Upper and Little Iowa Rivers 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.Lake Louise State Park.jpg
Lake Maria State ParkWright1,4755971963Several kettle lakes Provides a lightly developed wilderness area near Minneapolis – Saint Paul in a morainal landscape of Big Woods.LakeMariaStateParkBjorklandLake.jpg
Lake Shetek State ParkMurray County1,1094491937Lake Shetek Features remnants of pioneer history around the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota. Two districts of WPA structures are on the NRHP.Lake Shetek causeway.JPG
Lake Vermilion State ParkSt. Louis2,8751,1632010Lake Vermilion Recently purchased and in development on the fifth-largest lake in Minnesota.Lake Vermilion State Park Overlook.jpg
Maplewood State ParkOtter Tail8,1273,2891963Several kettle lakes Preserves a forest/prairie transition zone in the Leaf Hills Moraines. A Native American archaeological site is on the NRHP.Maplewoodstatepark.jpg
McCarthy Beach State ParkSt. Louis1,9087721945Sturgeon and Side Lakes Features a .5-mile-long (0.80 km) beach on an isthmus between two lakes.McCarthyBeachStatePark.jpg
Mille Lacs Kathio State ParkMille Lacs9,7863,9601957Mille Lacs Lake, Rum River 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.Millelacs.jpg
Minneopa State ParkBlue Earth1,6176541905Minnesota River, Minneopa Creek Showcases the largest waterfall in southern Minnesota. The 1864 Seppman Mill and a district of WPA structures are each on the NRHP.MinneopaFalls2010.jpg
Minnesota Valley State Recreation AreaHennepin, Dakota, Scott, Carver, Sibley, and Le Sueur6,4422,6071969Minnesota River Comprises non-contiguous sections interspersed with units of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the valley formed by Glacial River Warren.MinnesotaRiver1.jpg
Monson Lake State ParkSwift3431391937Monson and West Sunberg Lakes Established as a memorial to settlers who died in the Dakota War of 1862. A district of CCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.Broberg Cabin Cellar Hole.jpg
Moose Lake State ParkCarlton8293351971Moosehead and Echo Lakes Provides water recreation and an exhibit hall on Lake Superior agates (the state gemstone) and the geology of Minnesota.Moose Lake Agate and Geological Interpretive Center.jpg
Myre-Big Island State ParkFreeborn1,5786391947Albert Lea Lake 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.[78]Myre-Big Island State Park.jpg
Nerstrand-Big Woods State ParkRice1,6466661945Prairie Creek Preserves a remnant stand of Big Woods.[79]Nerstrand Big Woods SP-HiddenFalls.JPG
Old Mill State ParkMarshall2871161951Middle River Features two mills and a log cabin from the late 19th Century.[80] The Larson Mill and a district of WPA structures are each on the NRHP.[81]Larson Mill.jpg
Red River State Recreation AreaPolk104421997Red River of the North and Red Lake River 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.[82]Red River State Recreation Area.JPG
Rice Lake State ParkSteele and Dodge7122881963Rice Lake Surrounds a shallow lake which attracts migrating waterfowl.[83]RiceLakeStateParkMN.jpg
St. Croix Islands State Recreation AreaWashington25101935St. Croix River 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]:318St. Croix Islands and Boom Site.JPG
St. Croix State ParkPine31,77512,8591943St. Croix River 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.[84]Reflectionlake.jpg
Sakatah Lake State ParkLe Sueur and Rice8103301963Sakatah Lake on the Cannon River Features a transitional zone between prairie and Big Woods on a natural widening of the Cannon River.[85]SakatahLakeStatePark.jpg
Savanna Portage State ParkAitkin and St. Louis15,2776,1821961East and West Savanna Rivers, numerous kettle lakes 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.[86] The portage is on the NRHP.[6]Savanna Portage State Park.jpg
Scenic State ParkItasca2,3709601921Sandwick and Coon Lakes 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.[87]Scenic State Park–Coon Lake.JPG
Schoolcraft State ParkCass and Itasca141571959Mississippi River 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.[88]Schoolcraft State Park kayakers.jpg
Sibley State ParkKandiyohi2,5401,0301919Lake Andrew and other kettle lakes Honors Henry Hastings Sibley, the first governor of Minnesota, with a popular recreational lakeshore and a morainal landscape.[89] A district of CCC structures is on the NRHP.[90]Sibley State Park Mt Tom Tower.jpg
Soudan Underground Mine State ParkSt. Louis9743941963Lake Vermilion 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[91] and a row of 20th Century boathouses is on the NRHP.Soudan Mine Headframe.jpg
Split Rock Creek State ParkPipestone9473831937Split Rock Lake Features a recreational reservoir on the Coteau des Prairies.[92]Split Rock Creek State Park in fog.jpg
Split Rock Lighthouse State ParkLake2,1128551945Lake SuperiorSplit Rock River Surrounds the clifftop Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States.[93] The lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark.Splitrock lighthouse.jpg
Temperance River State ParkCook1,1344591957Lake SuperiorTemperance and Cross Rivers 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.[94]Temperance River State Park SHT Bridge.jpg
Tettegouche State ParkLake8,9983,6411979Lake Superior and Baptism River 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.[95]Lake Superior North Shore(v2).jpg
Upper Sioux Agency State ParkYellow Medicine1,0654311963Minnesota and Yellow Medicine Rivers Interprets the site of the agency that administered a Dakota Indian reservation until it was destroyed during the Dakota War of 1862.[96] The agency is on the NRHP.[6]Upper Sioux Agency State Park.jpg
Whitewater State ParkWinona1,6726771919Whitewater River Showcases a popular steep-sided river valley in the Driftless Area.[97] A large district of CCC and WPA structures is on the NRHP.[98]Whitewater State Park.jpg
Wild River State ParkChisago6,5742,6601973St. Croix River Follows 18 miles (29 km) of one of the first waterways designated a National Wild and Scenic River.[99] A section of the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road is on the NRHP.[100]WildRiverStatePark1.jpg
William O’Brien State ParkWashington1,7837221947St. Croix River Provides outdoor recreation opportunities near Minneapolis – Saint Paul.[101]William O'Brien State Park Riverside Trail.jpg
Zippel Bay State ParkLake of the Woods2,8261,1441959Lake of the Woods Provides water recreation and birdwatching opportunities on the shore of the country’s sixth largest lake.[102]Zippel Bay State Park, Minnesota - Sunset on Lake of the Woods.jpg