The Goal: To visit all Minnesota State Parks in a year
The Minnesota State Park system is celebrating its 125 year anniversary in 2016 and I’m going to celebrate just as hard by visiting all of them… this year!
In order to help keep track on each one I joined the “Passport Club“. The passport club is basically collecting a stamp at the entrance of most every park. While just stopping in at the door for a stamp sure would be easier, that’s not really the point of visiting a state park. I actually think that that would utterly defeat the purpose entirely.
There are 71 State Parks (and Recreation Areas) that I need to visit in order to succeed in this journey. In true fashion, and as they should be, most of the state parks are completely isolated, so it will entail some serious planning and some willing travel companions. I’m excited for the challenge. Here’s a sample itinerary of some of the most northern MN State Parks.
Related Articles on Minnesota State Parks:
Top MN State Parks to SUP
Top MN State Parks to Bring your Dog
Frozen MN Waterfalls to visit this Winter
Who wants to join me and visit all Minnesota State Parks in a year?
Minnesota State Parks
In order of the visit. Click on each park to learn more about each one.
- Sakatah Lake State Park
- Flandrau State Park
- Minneopa State Park
- Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
- Lake Louise State Park
- Great River Bluffs State Park
- Carley State Park
- Rice Lake State Park
- John A. Latsch State Park
- Temperance River State Park
- Judge C. Magney State Park
- Grand Portage State Park
- Cascade River State Park
- Tettegouche State Park
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Fort Ridgely State Park
- Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
- Fort Snelling State Park
- Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park
- Myer-Big Island State Park
- Lake Shetek State Park
- Charles Lindbergh State Park
- Crow Wing State Park
- Split Rock Creek State Park
- Sibley State Park
- Glendalough State Park
- Lake Carlos State Park
- Frontenac State Park
- Whitewater State Park
- Father Hennepin State Park
- Hill Annex State Park
- Lake Vermillion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- Franz Jevne State Park
- Zippel Bay State Park
- Hayes Lake State Park
- Lake Bronson State Park
- Old Mill State Park
- Red River State Recreation Area
- Buffalo River State Park
- Maplewood State Park
- Schoolcraft State Park
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
- Lake Maria State Park
- Blue Mounds State Park
- Camden State Park
- Lac Qui Parle State Park
- Big Stone Lake State Park
- Glacial Lakes State Park
- Upper Sioux Agency State Park
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park
- William O’Brien State Park
- Interstate State Park
- Wild River State Park
- St. Croix State Park
- Banning State Park
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Kilen Woods State Park
- Afton State Park
- Moose Lake State Park
- George Crosby State Park
Want to follow along on my journey? Follow me on Instagram @Gretcholi or check out the hashtag: #PicklesTravelMNStateParks
Hi Greta, that sounds like so much fun and crazy at the same time. I’m curious, what is your plan to accomplish it? If I was that ambishes I think I could only do 52 at most. I look forward to see how you pull it off!
Hi Jenn-
Great question. It won’t be easy for sure. I have several weekend trips that are centered around trying to visit 2 parks a day. Luckily quite a few of the state parks are somewhat close to one another- or line up in a row- like along the Wisconsin border, along Hwy 61 and a few others. I know I won’t be able to see everything at each park doing it this way, but I think it’s a great way to get out and start seeing parts of MN that I hadn’t previously visited. I’m excited about it :-)
This is such a great idea! How cool and cute that you can get stamps for visiting each park!
Thanks Chasa- I don’t know if I could keep track of them all if it weren’t for the passport book and stamps so I’m loving that element for sure :c)
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Hello,
I am reading about a year late because I am on the same mission. I am going to follow you on instagram to maybe help give myself some ideas. Being that it is an awkward time of the year I am struggling with what park I should choose for Monday. Any tips on parks that are okay wasted on this weird time of the year?
Awesome Zach!! It’s such a great mission to have. This has been such a mild year that the hiking paths in quite a few of the parks will be open and will still be awesome to visit. Where are you coming from? If you are in the cities you might want to start at some of the nearby ones like Fort Snelling State Park- it’s this crazy cool oasis in the city and is beautiful year round. I actually really enjoyed visiting the parks in the winter and early spring so I think you’re starting at a great time! Happy to help with advice and ideas at any time.
Hi Zach, my family has been traveling to the parks as well in a year starting on Labor Day, so much of our time has been during colder/snowy weather. We have visited 30 so far mostly on the eastern side of the state from Grand Portage to Lake Louise. We have enjoyed many winter activities (ice fishing at Savana Portage, snowshoeing in Myre-Big Island, sledding at Mille Lacs Kathio, etc.), but have also encountered a few smaller parks that have had their gates shut or no plowing to prevent vehicle access into the park (email the Park-we have gotten real emails back!). I wouldn’t say your visits would be wasted, instead we think of making a list of where we’d like to come back to have another experience in a different season. We have planned a bit on what season certain camping & lodging is available, also have recognized that visitor/Interpretive centers have very little people at them now, and waterfalls in late winter are beautiful!! Mud hiking with kids in tow in not fun, but probably not avoidable. Hope some of this help-good luck & enjoy your year!
Exactly!! Perfectly said Heather! I think winter is the perfect time to be in the parks and love that you got to go sledding at Mille Lacs Kathio! I’ve heard that Fort Ridgely has the best sledding hill but I bet the hills there rocked! Whereabouts was the sledding hill?
Hi Greta, while on our last trip touring the parks in the NW part of the state I came across an advertisement for the MN Historical Society yearly membership and realized what a bargain it would to purchase this in addition to the passport for the MN state parks. The society operates in 5 (more?) state parks, like split rock, Charles Lindbergh, etc. lots of other good places to visit near the parks too. Our family will be getting a membership for our next trip!
Great point Heather! The MN Historical Society has some great spots not in state parks too- and I highly recommend checking them all out- James J Hill house and their main museum are my favorites in St Paul. They are also in Forestville and Fort Ridgely State Park (both of which we were able to visit on our trips). I should do a post on that aspect!
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