The Most Popular State Park in Minnesota, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the state park you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:50
Amidst the shimmering lakes and expansive forests of Minnesota, state parks offer a retreat for those seeking tranquility and adventure alike. However, with so many options, it can be daunting for both locals and tourists to decide which park to visit. By ranking these gems based on popularity, we provide a clear and crowd-sourced guide to help everyone make an informed choice.
This live ranking is more than just a list; it's a dynamic reflection of real-time preferences and experiences shared by fellow park enthusiasts. Voting here allows you to influence the ranking, ensuring that the best parks according to actual visitor experiences get the recognition they deserve. So cast your vote, see where your favorite ranks, and maybe discover a new park to visit.
What Is the Most Popular State Park in Minnesota?
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143votesGooseberry Falls State Park - known for its picturesque waterfalls and beautiful hiking trails.Gooseberry Falls State Park is a breathtaking park located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Known for its stunning waterfalls and scenic trails, it offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. The park was established in 1937 and has since become one of the most popular state parks in Minnesota, attracting thousands of tourists each year.
- Location: North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota
- Established: 1937
- Size: 1,687 acres
- Waterfalls: Gooseberry Falls, Middle Falls, Lower Falls
- Hiking Trails: 18 miles of trails
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247votes
Itasca State Park
Minnesota State LegislatureItasca State Park - home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River and many hiking trails.Itasca State Park is a serene and breathtaking natural wonder located in the northern part of Minnesota. This park is renowned for being the oldest state park in the state and is famous for its pristine landscape and the birthplace of the mighty Mississippi River. It offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in untouched wilderness and experience the true beauty of the northwoods.- Established: 1891
- Size: 32,000 acres
- Location: Clearwater County and Hubbard County
- Main Attraction: The Headwaters of the Mississippi River
- Wildlife: White-tailed deer, black bears, beavers, loons, and eagles
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38votes
Dennis Adams, Federal Highway Administration · Public domainSplit Rock Lighthouse State Park is features a historic lighthouse and stunning views of Lake Superior.Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is a scenic state park located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. It is known for its iconic lighthouse, which stands atop a sheer cliff overlooking the beautiful lake. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities and stunning views of the surrounding rugged shoreline and dense forests.- Location: Two Harbors, Minnesota
- Size: 2,220 acres
- Year Established: 1951
- Lighthouse Height: 54 feet
- Lighthouse Construction Material: Brick
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420votesTettegouche State Park - offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning views of Lake Superior.Tettegouche State Park is a popular state park located on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities. The park covers an area of over 9,000 acres and features towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes, and dense forests. Tettegouche State Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors, including hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
- Location: North shore of Lake Superior
- Size: Over 9,000 acres
- Features: Towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes, and dense forests
- Activities: Hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing
- Wildlife: Abundance of wildlife species
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516votes
Self · CC BY-SA 3.0Jay Cooke State Park - known for its beautiful river and many hiking trails.Jay Cooke State Park is a popular state park located in Carlton County, Minnesota. It is known for its scenic beauty, diverse landscapes, and rich history. The park was named after Jay Cooke, a prominent financier and philanthropist from the 19th century who played a significant role in developing the state park system in Minnesota.- Location: Carlton County, Minnesota
- Size: 8,125 acres
- Established: 1915
- Features: St. Louis River, swinging bridge, 50+ miles of hiking trails
- Camping: Drive-in sites, walk-in sites, camper cabins, group camp
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618votes
Rufus Sarsaparilla at en.wikipedia · Public domainTemperance River State Park - home to the Temperance River and many hiking trails.Temperance River State Park is a scenic and popular state park located in northeastern Minnesota, along the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. It was established to protect the picturesque landscapes surrounding the Temperance River, known for its dynamic waterfalls, rugged canyons, and rocky cliffs. The park offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy a variety of recreational activities.- Location: Cook County, Minnesota
- Size: 5,608 acres
- Year Established: 1957
- Trails: 17 miles of hiking trails, including the Superior Hiking Trail
- Waterfalls: Multiple waterfalls, including the picturesque 60-foot High Falls
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710votes
McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0Afton State Park - offers hiking and cross-country skiing trails, as well as beautiful views of the St. Croix River.Afton State Park is a magnificent state park located in Washington County, Minnesota. Situated on the scenic St. Croix River, it offers over 1,700 acres of diverse landscapes and recreational opportunities. Created in 1969, it was developed to protect the natural beauty of the area and provide a peaceful retreat for visitors.- Size: Over 1,700 acres
- Location: Washington County, Minnesota
- Year Established: 1969
- Scenic Features: St. Croix River, rolling hills, bluffs
- Hiking Trails: 20 miles of trails
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81votes
Vasanth Rajkumar · CC BY-SA 3.0Lake Maria State Park - known for its beautiful forests and hiking trails.Lake Maria State Park is a picturesque natural playground located in Monticello, Minnesota. Spanning over 1,500 acres, this park offers a serene retreat for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and families alike. Named after Lake Maria, a picturesque lake within the park, it showcases stunning landscapes ranging from rolling prairies and scenic marshes to dense forests and tranquil lakeshores.- Location: Monticello, Minnesota
- Size: 1,520 acres
- Features: Woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and lakeshores
- Activities: Hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, fishing, camping
- Trails: 15 miles of hiking trails
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915votes
McGhiever · CC BY-SA 2.5Wild River State Park - offers camping, hiking, and cross-country skiing trails, as well as beautiful views of the St. Croix River.Wild River State Park is a beautiful and expansive state park located in Minnesota. It was established in 1975 and covers an area of approximately 18,226 acres along the St. Croix River. The park offers a diverse range of landscapes, including forests, prairies, and riverfronts, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. With its stunning scenery and abundant recreational opportunities, Wild River State Park has become one of the most popular state parks in Minnesota.- Location: North Branch, Minnesota
- Established: 1975
- Park Area: 18,226 acres
- Terrain: Forests, prairies, and riverfronts
- Features: Trails, picnic areas, camping sites
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106votes
Cmlrcmlr · CC BY-SA 3.0Fort Snelling State Park - features historic sites, hiking trails, and beautiful views of the Mississippi River.Fort Snelling State Park is a popular state park located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It offers a combination of natural beauty and historical significance, making it a favorite destination for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts. The park encompasses over 2,900 acres of land, providing ample space for various outdoor activities.- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Size: 2,900 acres
- Rivers: Confluence of Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers
- Activities: Hiking, biking, bird-watching, canoeing, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, picnic areas
- Historical Significance: Fort Snelling, a historic military fort and national landmark within the park
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular state park in Minnesota. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Park is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1151 views
- 180 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Park once every 24 hours. The rank of each Park is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular state park in minnesota
Minnesota is home to some of the most stunning and picturesque state parks in the country, attracting visitors from all over the world. The state's natural beauty is on full display in these parks, which offer visitors the chance to explore lush forests, pristine lakes, and rugged terrain. With over 60 state parks to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one to visit. That's why we've created a poll to determine the most popular state park in Minnesota. From the iconic beauty of Itasca State Park to the towering cliffs of Blue Mounds State Park, there's no shortage of natural wonders to discover in Minnesota's state parks. So, which one will come out on top? Cast your vote and help us find out!
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