Minnesota State Parks & Forests
Minnesota state parks and forests, one park at a time. Trail guides, park-by-park breakdowns, and honest advice on what to see, what to do, and what to skip.
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The Best Minnesota State Parks for Fall Colors (And When to Catch Peak at Each One)
Minnesota state parks fall colors don’t all peak on the same weekend — I broke down realistic timing for nine parks, from the North Shore to southern bluff country, so you can actually plan the hike instead of guessing.
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Wild River State Park Hiking Trails Are Minnesota’s Best-Kept Quiet Secret
Wild River State Park was the trees-instead-of-stages cure for a festival hangover — 18 miles of St. Croix shoreline, woods so thick I kept bracing for bugs that never showed, and a drinking fountain with main-character energy. A ranger named Sean answered every backpacking question we threw at him. Here’s my honest, boots-on-the-ground report on…
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Tettegouche State Park Hiking Trails Are the North Shore’s Best-Kept Not-So-Secret
Waterfalls, cliffs, and Lake Superior views without a brutal hike in. My honest, trail-by-trail guide to Tettegouche State Park’s best day hikes on the North Shore.
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The 6 Minnesota State Parks With the Best Hiking Trails (And Why I Keep Going Back)
Six Minnesota state parks, six trails worth lacing up your boots for. From waterfalls to bluff country views, these are the hikes I keep coming back to — and the ones I send every out-of-state friend who doubts Minnesota has real scenery.
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Afton State Park: Hidden Gem Near the Twin Cities
Afton State Park is the little gem along the St. Croix River that quietly changed my life — and Mother’s Day weekend marked my first trip back in nearly a decade. Here’s what I learned about hike-in-only camping, the campsite worth requesting, and why the “stairs from hell” are worth every step.