Northwest Minnesota State Parks

Northwest Minnesota is home to Minnesota's oldest State Park, Itasca where the headwaters of the Mississippi River begin. The area is also home to the largest lakes in the state including Lake of the Woods. According to the "Guide to Outdoor Minnesota," Lake of the Woods covers 1,485 square miles of water, 65,000 miles of shoreline and contains 14,000 islands. State parks provide a chance to explore the diverse geography of the region as well as take in outdoor activities.

Geography

Ice Age glaciers are the reason behind the numerous lakes found throughout much of Minnesota. Northwest Minnesota features large peat lands, marshes, bogs, kettles, forests and prairie lands. The northwest corner of the state feature sand hills, oak savannahs and prairie. State parks located throughout the region provide you with a glimpse of all the unique geography of the area.

Recreation

No matter what outdoor activity you prefer, the state parks in northwest Minnesota offer something for everyone. Itasca State Park invites you to hike or bike along the trails or step across the trickling stream that serves as the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Zippel Bay State Park features miles of shore line for you to hike along. Lake Bemidji offers onsite canoe rental for you to rent and explore the lake by canoe. Many state parks in the region also feature swimming beaches. During the winter you can enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing or dog sledding.

Lodging

The Minnesota State Parks located throughout the northwest region feature camping facilities that range from rustic to modern campgrounds. Rustic camping can be found at Zippel State Park and Franz Jevne State Parks. Itasca State Park has a lodge onsite as well as camper cabins. Camper cabins are also available at Hayes Lake State Park. Modern campgrounds are available at Buffalo River State Park, and Lake Bemidji State Park.

Features

Lake Bemidji State Park features an interpretive center that provides you with educational activities, diagrams of the bogs, hills and lake you can expect to find within the park and exhibits. State parks in the region also loan out birding, fishing and kid's discovery kits. Special educational events and guided hike are also held at the Minnesota state parks throughout the year.

Considerations

To visit Minnesota State Parks, you'll need to pay a fee to obtain a vehicle permit. You can also choose to purchase an annual pass. If you are camping, plan to purchase firewood at the park. The parks do not allow campers to bring firewood into the parks. To avoid the crowds, try visiting the park midweek if possible. Parks, such as Itasca State Park and Lake Bemidji State Park, can be quite busy on the weekends so try to visit midweek, if possible. The lakes also attract mosquitoes so be sure to pack your bug spray.