List of Minnesota state parks
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{{State parks of Minnesota map}}
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<center>Map of State Parks of Minnesota<br><small>''Hold cursor over locations to display park name,<br>click to go to park article.''</small></center>
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This is a '''list of Minnesota state parks''' in the Minnesota state park system. A Minnesota state park is an area of land in the [[U.S. state]] of Minnesota preserved by the state for its natural, historic, or other resources. The Minnesota State Park system consists of 72 [[state park]]s, eight state waysides, one state trail, and 54 state forest campgrounds and day use areas, totaling approximately 267,000 [[acres]] (1,052.18 [[square kilometers|km²]]).<ref name = DNR>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Welcome to Minnesota State Parks
| work =
| publisher = Minnesota DNR
| date = 2007
| url = http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22}}</ref><ref name = VermNews/> The 72 state parks are 66 state parks and six state recreation areas. Each was created by an act of the [[Minnesota Legislature]] and is maintained by the [[Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]]. The [[Minnesota Historical Society]] operates sites within some of them. The park system began in 1891 with [[Itasca State Park]] when a state law was adopted to "maintain intact, forever, a limited quantity of the domain of this commonwealth...in a state of nature."<ref>
{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Itasca State Park National Register Listing
| work =
| publisher = Minnesota Historical Society
| date = May 1973; May 1992 update
| url = http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Itasca.html
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22
}}</ref> Minnesota's state park system is the second oldest in the [[United States]], after [[New York]]'s.<ref name="Meyer">{{cite book
| last = Meyer
| first = Roy Willard
| title = Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks
| publisher = Minnesota Historical Society Press
| date = 1991
| location =
| pages =
| url =
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 0-87351-266-9}}</ref>
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==Overview==
Minnesota's state parks are spread across the state in such a way that there is a state park within 50 miles (80.5 km) of every Minnesotan.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Minnesota Traveler
| work = Minnesota State Parks Newsletter
| publisher = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
| date = Summer 2007
| url = http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/parks_recreation/traveler_07/traveler_2007.pdf
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}, p. 16.</ref> The most recent park created is [[Big Bog State Recreation Area]] in 2006.<ref name="respective">All data come from respective DNR webpage unless otherwise noted.</ref> A new park on [[Lake Vermilion]] is under consideration [[as of 2008]].<ref>{{cite web
| last =
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| title = Proposed Lake Vermilion State Park
| work =
| publisher = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
| date = 2007
| url = http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_vermilion/index.html
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref><ref name = VermNews>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Gov. Pawlenty announces plan to create a new state park on Lake Vermilion
| work = News Releases
| publisher = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
| date = 2007-07-17
| url = http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/releases/index.html?id=1184702942
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref>
Currently the Parks range in size from [[Franz Jevne State Park]] with 118 acres (0.48 km²) to [[Saint Croix State Park]] with 34,037 acres (137.74 km²).
{|style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
<gallery>
Image:Lake Itasca Mississippi Source.jpg|<center>'''''[[Itasca State Park]]''''',<br />birthplace of the [[Mississippi River]]</center>
Image:050819_TettegoucheStatePark_HighFalls.jpg| <center>'''''[[Tettegouche State Park]]''''', the High Falls</center>
Image:BlueMoundsStatePark.jpg | <center>'''''[[Blue Mounds State Park]]''''', cliffs of [[Quartzite]] bedrock</center>
Image:MINOS_Project_in_Soudan_Mine.jpg | <center>'''''[[Soudan Underground Mine State Park]]''''', [[MINOS]] [[neutrino]] detector</center>
</gallery>
|}
==History==
Minnesota's first attempt to create a state park came in 1885, when a {{convert|173|acre|km2|sing=on}} park was authorized to preserve [[Minnehaha Falls]]. The effort was delayed by legal appeals from the various landowners of the desired parkland, and by the time those were settled in favor of the state in 1889, Minnesota no longer had the money to purchase the land. Instead the city of [[Minneapolis]] fronted the cash. Owned and operated by Minneapolis, Minnehaha State Park was ultimately absorbed as a city park.<ref name="Meyer" />
Minnesota tried again in 1891, authorizing a state park around [[Lake Itasca]] both for its recreational opportunities and to protect the source of the [[Mississippi River]]. [[Interstate Park]] on the [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]] was created in 1895. Other sites were added over the next two decades, but with an inconsistent vision. Modest tracts of scenic land were acquired in [[Minneopa State Park|Minneopa]] and [[Jay Cooke State Park]]s, but much effort was also expended on creating historical monuments relating to the [[Dakota War of 1862]] and the [[Great Hinckley Fire]]. Moreover, most of the sites were being administered by the state auditor, who had many other duties. [[Itasca State Park]], meanwhile, was being administered as a [[state forest]]. In 1923, state auditor Ray Chase excoriated this situation, calling for wiser selection of park lands and a dedicated commissioner. Chase's comments had an impact, and two years later the ''Department of Conservation'' was created to manage the state's natural resources, including the state parks. Originally part of the forestry division, the state parks received their own division in 1935 to take advantage of federal programs such as the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]].<ref name="Meyer" /> In 1971 the department became the [[Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]].
{|style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
<gallery>
Image:Fort Snelling Round Tower.JPG|<center>'''''[[Fort Snelling State Park]]''''',<br />the Round Tower</center>
Image:Buffalo_River_MN2.jpg|<center>'''''[[Buffalo River State Park]]''''',<br/> The [[Buffalo River (Minnesota)|Buffalo River]]</center>
Image:Father Hennepin MNSP Marsh.JPG| <center>'''''[[Father Hennepin State Park]]''''',<br/> marsh </center>
Image:CharlesLindberghHouse.jpg| <center>'''''[[Charles A. Lindbergh State Park]]''''',<br/> Charles Lindbergh House </center>
</gallery>
|}
==List of Minnesota state parks==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"
! width="*" |'''Park Name'''
! width="*" |'''Site'''
! width="*" |'''County or Counties'''
! width="*" |'''Area''' in acres (km²)<ref>"Minnesota State Parks Guide 2007 2008." State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources, 2007.</ref>
! width="*" |'''Year <br />founded'''<ref name="Meyer" />
! width="*" |'''Body of Water'''
! width="*" |'''[[Geographic coordinate system|Coordinates]]
! width="*" class="unsortable"|'''Remarks'''<ref name="respective" />
|--
||[[Afton State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/narrative.html]||[[Washington County, Minnesota|Washington]]||{{nts|1695}} acres (6.86 km²)||1969||[[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]]||{{coord|44.8624675|-92.7835367|name=Afton State Park}}||Park lies on a glacial [[moraine]] with deep [[ravine]]s that drop 300 feet (91.44 m) down to the St. Croix River.
|--
||[[Banning State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/banning/narrative.html]||[[Pine County, Minnesota|Pine]]||{{nts|6201}} acres (25.09 km²)||1963||[[Kettle River (Minnesota)|Kettle River]]||{{coord|46.1707812|-92.8440889|name=Banning State Park}}||Park contains of 1.5 miles (2.41 km) of whitewater rapids and an historic quarry.
|--
||[[Bear Head Lake State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/bear_head_lake/narrative.html]||[[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis]]||{{nts|4523}} acres (18.30 km²)||1961||[[Bear Head Lake]]||{{coord|47.7963051|-92.0768231|name=Bear Head Lake State Park}}||Park is located just south of the [[Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness]].
|--
||[[Beaver Creek Valley State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/beaver_creek_valley/narrative.html]||[[Houston County, Minnesota|Houston]]||{{nts|1187}} acres (4.80 km²)||1937||East Beaver Creek||{{coord|43.6427458|-91.5818101|name=Beaver Creek Valley State Park}}||The narrow valley carved by a trout stream showcases the rugged topography of the [[Driftless Area]].
|--
||[[Big Bog State Recreation Area]]||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/big_bog/narrative.html]||[[Beltrami County, Minnesota|Beltrami]]||{{nts|9459}} acres (38.28 km²)||2006||[[Red Lake (Minnesota)|Red Lake]]|| {{coord|48.172761|-94.512033|name=Big Bog State Recreation Area}} ||The Big Bog, the largest peatland in the Lower U.S.[http://www.upperredlakeassn.com/bigbog/natural_features.htm], sits on the southeast side of glacial [[Lake Agassiz]].
|--
||[[Big Stone Lake State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/big_stone_lake/narrative.html]||[[Big Stone County, Minnesota|Big Stone]]||{{nts|986}} acres (3.99 km²)||1961||[[Big Stone Lake]]||{{coord|45.3824644|-96.5131148|name=Big Stone Lake State Park}}||The park is located on the south end of glacial Lake Agassiz.
|--
||[[Blue Mounds State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/blue_mounds/narrative.html]||[[Rock County, Minnesota|Rock]]||{{nts|1826}} acres (7.39 km²)||1937 || Mound Creek ||{{coord|43.7069134|-96.1869728|name=Blue Mounds State Park}}||The park is named after a linear [[escarpment]] of [[Precambrian]] [[quartzite]] [[bedrock]].
|--
||[[Buffalo River State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/buffalo_river/narrative.html]||[[Clay County, Minnesota|Clay]]||{{nts|1322}} acres (5.35 km²)||1937||[[Buffalo River (Minnesota)|Buffalo River]]||{{coord|46.8655165|-96.4678474|name=Buffalo River State Park}}||The [[prairie]] within the park is judged to be one of the largest and best of the state's prairie preserves.
|--
||[[Camden State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/camden/narrative.html]||[[Lyon County, Minnesota|Lyon]]||{{nts|2245}} acres (9.09 km²)||1935||[[Redwood River]]||{{coord|44.362462|-95.9250247|name=Camden State Park}}||Thirteen buildings and structures are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
|--
||[[Carley State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/carley/narrative.html]||[[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha]]||{{nts|209}} acres (0.85 km²)||1949||[[Whitewater River (Minnesota)|Whitewater River]]||{{coord|44.1166318|-92.1760002|name=Carley State Park}}||Park is named after [[State Senator]] [[James A. Carley]], who donated the land.
|--
||[[Cascade River State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cascade_river/narrative.html]||[[Cook County, Minnesota|Cook]]||{{nts|5050}} acres (20.43 km²)||1957||[[Lake Superior]] and [[Cascade River (Minnesota)|Cascade River]]||{{coord|47.7097222|-90.5222222|name=Cascade River State Park Recreation Site}}||Park is connected to the [[Superior Hiking Trail]] and [[North Shore State Trail]].
|--
||[[Charles A. Lindbergh State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/charles_a_lindbergh/narrative.html]||[[Morrison County, Minnesota|Morrison]]||{{nts|569}} acres (2.3 km²)||1931||[[Mississippi River]]||{{coord|45.9588545|-94.3952813|name=Charles A Lindbergh State Park}}||Contains the restored home of [[Charles August Lindbergh]], [[Congressman]] and the father of the famous [[aviator]], [[Charles Lindbergh]].
|--
||[[Crow Wing State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/crow_wing/narrative.html]||[[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing]], [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass]], and [[Morrison County, Minnesota|Morrison]]||{{nts|3119}} acres (12.62 km²)||1959|| [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] and [[Crow Wing River]]s ||{{coord|46.2722222|-94.3333333|name=Crow Wing State Park}}||Interprets the site of [[Old Crow Wing, Minnesota|Old Crow Wing]], an important trading settlement.
|--
||[[Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cuyuna_country/narrative.html]||[[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing]]||{{nts|2773}} acres (11.22 km²)||1993||Chain of small lakes and streams, filled pit mines|| {{coord|46.489550| -93.977500|name=Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area}} ||The [[Cuyuna Range]] was the last of Minnesota's three major iron ranges to be discovered and mined.
|--
||[[Father Hennepin State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/father_hennepin/narrative.html]||[[Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Mille Lacs]]||{{nts|320}} acres (1.29 km²)||1941||[[Mille Lacs Lake]]||{{coord|46.1446779|-93.4880157|name=Father Hennepin State Park}}||Park is named after Father [[Louis Hennepin]], a priest who visited the area with a French [[expedition]] in 1680.
|--
||[[Flandrau State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/narrative.html]||[[Brown County, Minnesota|Brown]]||{{nts|1006}} acres (4.07 km²)||1937||[[Cottonwood River (Minnesota)|Cottonwood River]]||{{coord|44.2882956|-94.4735837|name=Flandrau State Park}}||Park is named after [[Charles Eugene Flandrau]], an important figure in the [[Battles of New Ulm]] during the [[Dakota War of 1862]].
|--
||[[Forestville Mystery Cave State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/narrative.html]||[[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]]||{{nts|3170}} acres (12.83 km²)||1963||South Branch [[Root River (Minnesota)|Root River]] and tributaries||{{coord|43.6255204|-92.247388|name=Forestville Mystery Cave State Park}}||Park contains Mystery Cave, the longest cave in the state that is open to the public.
|--
||[[Fort Ridgely State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_ridgely/narrative.html]||[[Nicollet County, Minnesota|Nicollet]] and [[Renville County, Minnesota|Renville]]||{{nts|1040}} acres (4.21 km²)||1911||Fort Ridgely Creek||{{coord|44.4524621|-94.7308199|name=Fort Ridgely State Park}}||Park preserves [[Fort Ridgely]], which is notable for its use during the Dakota War of 1862.
|--
||[[Fort Snelling State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/narrative.html]||[[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey]], [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]], and [[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota]]||{{nts|2931}} acres (11.86 km²) ||1961|| [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] and [[Minnesota River]]s ||{{coord|44.8857988|-93.1779985|name=Fort Snelling State Park}}||Park contains historic [[Fort Snelling, Minnesota|Fort Snelling]], which was built in 1819.
|--
||[[Franz Jevne State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/franz_jevne/narrative.html]||[[Koochiching County, Minnesota|Koochiching]]||{{nts|118}} acres (0.48 km²)||1967||[[Rainy River (Minnesota-Ontario)|Rainy River]]||{{coord|48.642240|-94.080410|name=Franz Jevne State Park}} ||The sons of Franz Jevne, a [[lawyer]], offered to donate land to the state for use as a park on the condition that it be named after their father.
|--
||[[Frontenac State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/frontenac/narrative.html]||[[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue]]||{{nts|2300}} acres (9.3 km²)||1957||[[Lake Pepin]] on [[Mississippi River]]||{{coord|44.5074677|-92.3262914|name=Frontenac State Park}}||Park is home to 260 species of birds for part or all of the year.
|--
||[[Garden Island State Recreation Area]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/garden_island/narrative.html]||[[Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota|Lake of the Woods]]||{{nts|734}} acres (2.97 km²)||1998<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Garden Island State Recreation Area
| work = Maps/ State Parks
| publisher = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
| date = March 2001
| url = http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/sra00307.pdf
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref>||[[Lake of the Woods]]|| {{coord|49.175335|-94.834671|name=Garden Island State Recreation Area}} || Formerly the site of a large garden created by Native Americans taught by [[Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye|La Vérendrye]] who explored the area.
|--
||[[George H. Crosby Manitou State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/george_crosby_manitou/narrative.html]||[[Lake County, Minnesota|Lake]]||{{nts|6682}} acres (27 km²)||1955||[[Manitou River]]||{{coord|47.506018|-91.109045|name=George H Crosby Manitou State Park}}||Park contains many undisturbed miles of [[fir]], [[cedar]], [[spruce]], and northern hardwoods. Park is geared towards [[backpacking (wilderness)|backpacker]]s.
|--
||[[Glacial Lakes State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glacial_lakes/narrative.html]||[[Pope County, Minnesota|Pope]]||{{nts|2423}} acres (9.8 km²)||1963||Several [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] lakes||{{coord|45.537461|-95.521983|name=Glacial Lakes State Park}}|| Park contains many glacial landforms, including rolling glacial hills unlike others in the state, created by the [[Wisconsonian glaciation]].
|--
||[[Glendalough State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glendalough/narrative.html]||[[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail]]||{{nts|1931}} acres (7.81 km²)||1992||Six [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] lakes||{{coord|46.3333333|-95.6666667|name=Glendalough State Park}}||During the 1950s, when it was a resort, former presidents [[Dwight Eisenhower]] and [[Richard Nixon]] were guests at Glendalough.
|--
||[[Gooseberry Falls State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/narrative.html]||[[Lake County, Minnesota|Lake]]||{{nts|1687}} acres (6.82 km²)||1937||[[Lake Superior]], [[Gooseberry River]]||{{coord|47.1468715|-91.4632289|name=Gooseberry Falls State Park}}|| The park includes [[Lake Superior]] shoreline, five waterfalls, Gooseberry River and gorge, an agate Beach and the Picnic Lava Flow.
|--
|[[Grand Portage State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/grand_portage/narrative.html]||[[Cook County, Minnesota|Cook]] ||{{nts|278}} acres (1.12 km²)||1989||[[Pigeon River (Minnesota-Ontario)|Pigeon River]]||{{coord|48.0101633|-89.6120317|name=Grand Portage State Park}}||Park contains a 120 foot (37 meter) [[waterfall]], the tallest in the state shared on a border.
|--
||[[Great River Bluffs State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/great_river_bluffs/narrative.html]||[[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona]]||{{nts|3067}} acres (12.4 km²)||1971||[[Mississippi River]]||{{coord|43.9463526|-91.3993094|name=Great River Bluffs State Park}}||Features {{convert|500|ft|m|sing=on}} high bluffs and steep "[[goat prairie]]s" Formerly named O.L. Kipp State Park.
|--
||[[Hayes Lake State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/hayes_lake/narrative.html]||[[Roseau County, Minnesota|Roseau]]||{{nts|2958}} acres (11.97 km²)||1967||Hayes Lake, North Fork [[Roseau River (Manitoba)|Roseau River]]||{{coord|48.6233095|-95.5077539|name=Hayes Lake State Park}}||Hayes Lake was created for the park by damming the Roseau River. In the Glacial [[Lake Agassiz]] lake bed.
|--
||[[Hill-Annex Mine State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/hill_annex_mine/narrative.html]||[[Itasca County, Minnesota|Itasca]]||{{nts|635}} acres (2.57 km²)||1988||Filled pit mine|| {{coord|47.327490|-93.277520|name=Hill-Annex Mine State Park}} || Well preserved historic mine buildings that are on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]
|--
||[[Interstate Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/interstate/narrative.html]||[[Chisago County, Minnesota|Chisago]]||{{nts|298}} acres (1.2 km²)||1895||[[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]]||{{coord|45.3949622|-92.6696521|name=Interstate State Park}}||This was the first park in the [[United States]] to span two states ([[Minnesota]] and [[Wisconsin]]).
|--
||[[Itasca State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/narrative.html]||[[Hubbard County, Minnesota|Hubbard]], [[Clearwater County, Minnesota|Clearwater]], and [[Becker County, Minnesota|Becker]] ||{{nts|32690}} acres (132.29 km²)||1891||[[Lake Itasca]]||{{coord|47.1974579|-95.2019642|name=Itasca State Park}}||Minnesota's oldest state park. Lake Itasca is the source of the [[Mississippi River]].
|--
||[[Jay Cooke State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/jay_cooke/narrative.html]||[[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton]]||{{nts|8781}} acres (35.53 km²)||1915|| [[Saint Louis River]] ||{{coord|46.6496646|-92.330748|name=Jay Cooke State Park}}||Features rustic style historical structures and swinging bridge built by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps|CCC]] between 1933 and 1942.
|--
||[[John A. Latsch State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/john_latsch/narrative.html]||[[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona]]||{{nts|1871}} acres (7.57 km²) ||1925|| [[Mississippi River]] ||{{coord|44.1619082|-91.8220997|name=John Latsch State Park}}|| Features three steep river bluffs named Faith, Hope, and Charity.
|--
||[[Judge C. R. Magney State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/judge_cr_magney/narrative.html]||[[Cook County, Minnesota|Cook]]||{{nts|4643}} acres (18.78 km²)||1957||[[Lake Superior]], [[Brule River (Minnesota)|Brule River]]||{{coord|47.8512799|-90.0584299|name=Judge C R Magney State Park}}||Contains "Devil's Kettle" a large [[giants kettle|glacial kettle]] into which half of the Brule River disappears.
|--
||[[Kilen Woods State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/kilen_woods/narrative.html]||[[Jackson County, Minnesota|Jackson]]||{{nts|548}} acres (2.21 km²)||1945||[[Des Moines River]]||{{coord|43.7266244|-95.0630473|name=Killen Woods State Park}}|| Park is on the [[Coteau des Prairies]].
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||[[Lac qui Parle State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lac_qui_parle/narrative.html]||[[Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota|Lac qui Parle]] and [[Chippewa County, Minnesota|Chippewa]]||{{nts|1055}} acres (4.26 km²)||1959||[[Lac qui Parle]], [[Minnesota River|Minnesota]] and [[Lac qui Parle River]]s||{{coord|45.0205141|-95.888921|name=Lac qui Parle State Park}}|| Lac qui Parle is a widening in the Minnesota River, stopover for thousands of migrating waterfowl. Park contains 3 buildings on the [[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]].
|--
||[[Lake Bemidji State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_bemidji/narrative.html]||[[Beltrami County, Minnesota|Beltrami]]||{{nts|1726}} acres (6.98 km²)||1923||[[Lake Bemidji]]||{{coord|47.5363413|-94.8227704|name=Lake Bemidji State Park}}|| In addition to recreational lakeshore, the park features a boardwalk trail out into a spruce-tamarack bog.
|--
||[[Lake Bronson State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_bronson/narrative.html]||[[Kittson County, Minnesota|Kittson]]||{{nts|2808}} acres (11.36 km²)||1937||Lake Bronson, South Branch [[Two Rivers (Red River of the North)|Two Rivers]]||{{coord|48.7247004|-96.6033741|name=Lake Bronson State Park}}||Hayes lake was created for the park, by damming the Two Rivers. In the Glacial [[Lake Agassiz]] lake bed. Park is on the NRHP.
|--
||[[Lake Carlos State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_carlos/narrative.html]||[[Douglas County, Minnesota|Douglas]] ||{{nts|1236}} acres (5.00 km²)||1937||Lake Carlos||{{coord|45.9866293|-95.3278143|name=Lake Carlos State Park}}||Five buildings on the NRHP. In a hardwood transition zone between prairies and coniferous forest.
|--
||[[Lake Louise State Park]]||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_louise/narrative.html]||[[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower]]||{{nts|1147}} acres (4.64 km²)||1963||Lake Louise, [[Little Iowa River]] ||{{coord|43.5335762|-92.5254538|name=Lake Louise State Park}}||Minnesota's oldest continuous recreation area. Lake Louise was created by damming the Little Iowa River.
|--
||[[Lake Maria State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_maria/narrative.html] || [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright]] ||{{nts|1614}} acres (6.53 km²) || 1963 || Several [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] lakes ||{{coord|45.3138543|-93.9572003|name=Lake Maria State Park}}|| Lightly developed to provide a wilderness area near [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul]].
|--
||[[Lake Shetek State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_shetek/narrative.html]||[[Murray County, Minnesota|Murray County]]|| {{nts|1108}} acres (4.48 km²) ||1937||[[Lake Shetek]]||{{coord|44.1021838|-95.6900114|name=Lake Shetek State Park}}||Eight historic resources within the state park are on the NRHP. Located on the [[Coteau des Prairies]], the park was once treeless prairie.
|--
||[[Maplewood State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maplewood/narrative.html]||[[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail]]|| {{nts|9264}} acres (37.49 km²) ||1963||Several [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] lakes||{{coord|46.5335703|-95.9492193|name=Maplewood State Park}}|| The park preserves a pre-contact habitation site that was occupied in two different periods (650–900 CE and 1450–1650) in a forest/prairie transition zone.
|--
||[[McCarthy Beach State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mccarthy_beach/narrative.html]||[[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis]]||{{nts|2471}} acres (9.99 km²) ||1945||Sturgeon and Side Lakes||{{coord|47.6727068|-93.0301834|name=McCarthy Beach State Park}}||''Highways' Magazine'' rated the beach on Sturgeon Lake one of the top 17 beaches in North America.
|--
||[[Mille Lacs Kathio State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/narrative.html]||[[Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Mille Lacs]]||{{nts|10554}} acres (42.71 km²) ||1957||[[Mille Lacs Lake]], [[Rum River]]||{{coord|46.1288485|-93.7405269|name=Mille Lacs Kathio State Park}}|| Park contains 19 identified archaeological sites. The earliest site shows evidence of copper tool manufacture. The Kathio site is a [[National Historic Landmark]].
|--
||[[Minneopa State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/narrative.html]||[[Blue Earth County, Minnesota|Blue Earth]] ||{{nts|2691}} acres (10.89 km²)||1905||[[Minnesota River]], Minneopa Creek||{{coord|44.1621879|-94.1021803|name=Minneopa State Park}}||Contains Seppmann windmill which is on the NRHP. Minneopa Creek and its waterfalls are the major features that attract visitors.
|--
||[[Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minnesota_valley/narrative.html]||[[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]], [[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota]], [[Scott County, Minnesota|Scott]], [[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver]], [[Sibley County, Minnesota|Sibley]], and [[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]]||{{nts|5501}} acres (22.2 km²)||1969|| [[Minnesota River]] || {{coord|44.661999|-93.703337|name=Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area}} ||The sections of this non-contiguous park are interspersed with units of the [[Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge]] in the valley formed by [[Glacial River Warren]].
|--
||[[Monson Lake State Park]]||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/monson_lake/narrative.html]||[[Swift County, Minnesota|Swift County]]||{{nts|187}} acres (0.75 km²) ||1937||Monson and West Sunberg Lakes||{{coord|45.3205175|-95.2750235|name=Monson Lake Memorial State Park}}||Established as a memorial to settlers who died in the [[Dakota War of 1862]].
|--
||[[Moose Lake State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/moose_lake/narrative.html]||[[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton]] || {{nts|1199}} acres (4.85 km²) ||1971|| Moosehead and Echo Lakes ||{{coord|46.436319|-92.72521|name=Moose Lake State Park}} || The Moose Lake Agate and Geological Interpretive Center is located in the park. Contains an exhibition of Minnesota's state gemstone, the [[Lake Superior agate]], and contains displays on rocks, minerals and [[geology of Minnesota]].
|--
||[[Myre-Big Island State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/myre_big_island/narrative.html]||[[Freeborn County, Minnesota|Freeborn]]|| {{nts|2028}} acres (8.2 km²) ||1947|| Albert Lea Lake ||{{coord|43.6238465|-93.2890959|name=Myre-Big Island State Park}}|| Two islands protected from prairie fires by the surrounding water bear [[old growth forest|old growth]] [[temperate hardwood forest|hardwood forest]]. Has one of the largest collections of native artifacts in the state and is available for research. Formerly named Helmer Myre State Park.
|--
||[[Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park]] ||[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/nerstrand_big_woods/narrative.html]||[[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] || {{nts|2882}} acres (11.6 km²) ||1945|| Prairie Creek ||{{coord|44.3452425|-93.1074337|name=Nerstrand Big Woods State Park}}|| Preserves a remnant stand of [[Big Woods]].
|--
||[[Old Mill State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/old_mill/narrative.html]||[[Marshall County, Minnesota|Marshall]]||{{nts|287}} acres (1.16 km²) ||1951|| [[Middle River (Minnesota)|Middle River]] ||{{coord|48.361364|-96.5703288|name=Old Mill State Park}}|| Eight buildings and structures, built by the [[Works Progress Administration|WPA]], are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places|NRHP]]. Contains a steam-powered flour mill that is started up to grind flour once a year.
|--
||[[Red River State Recreation Area]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/red_river/narrative.html]||[[Polk County, Minnesota|Polk]]||{{nts|1230}} acres (4.97 km²)||1997||[[Red River of the North]] and [[Red Lake River]]||{{coord|47.9327778|-97.0355556|name=Red River State Recreation Area}}||Part of the [[Greater Grand Forks Greenway]]. After the [[1997 Red River Flood]] approximately 500 homes and buildings were removed to make way for the greenway. The Greenway serves the dual purpose of holding back river waters during floods and providing recreational opportunities.
|--
||[[Rice Lake State Park (Minnesota)|Rice Lake State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rice_lake/narrative.html]||[[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele]] and [[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge]]|| {{nts|1071}} acres (4.3 km²) ||1963||Rice Lake||{{coord|44.0874639|-93.061315|name=Rice Lake State Park}}||Shallow lake is a stopover for migrating waterfowl.
|--
||[[Saint Croix State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/st_croix/narrative.html]||[[Pine County, Minnesota|Pine County]]||{{nts|33895}} acres (137.16 km²)||1943|| [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]] ||{{coord|45.9741154|-92.5835304|name=Saint Croix State Park}}|| Originally the St. Croix Recreational Demonstration Area, the park was created from land too poor to farm.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title =Chapter 4: Up North: The Development of Recreation in the St. Croix Valley
| work =St. Croix Riverway. Time and the River: A History of the Saint Croix
| publisher =National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
| date =2002-10-17
| url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/sacn/hrs/hrs4l.htm
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref> It is listed as a National Historic Landmark as the largest and one of the best examples of recreational demonstration area planning during the Depression.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=-2063350619&ResourceType=District
|title=National Historic Landmarks Program: St. Croix Recreational Demonstration Area|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2007-10-01}}</ref>
|--
||[[Sakatah Lake State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sakatah_lake/narrative.html]||[[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]] and [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]]|| {{nts|842}} acres (3.4 km²) ||1963|| Sakatah Lake on the [[Cannon River]] ||{{coord|44.2210746|-93.5357792|name=Sakatah State Park}}||This parcel of hardwoods along the transition zone from forest to oak savanna was never logged.
|--
||[[Savanna Portage State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/savanna_portage/narrative.html]||[[Aitkin County, Minnesota|Aitkin]] and [[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis]]||{{nts|15818}} acres (64.01 km²)||1961|| [[East Savanna River|East]] and [[West Savanna River]]s, numerous [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] lakes ||{{coord|46.8374455|-93.1566054|name=Savanna Portage State Park}}||Established as a state park in 1961 to preserve the historic Savanna Portage, a difficult six-mile (10 km) trail connecting the West Savanna River and upper Mississippi River with the East Savanna River, St. Louis River, and Lake Superior. A [[continental divide]], visible in the park, separates the West Savanna and East Savanna rivers, which flow in opposite directions.
|--
||[[Scenic State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/scenic/narrative.html]||[[Itasca County, Minnesota|Itasca]]||{{nts|3360}} acres (13.59 km²)||1921|| Sandwick and Coon Lakes ||{{coord|47.7157733|-93.5629701|name=Scenic State Park}}||First park with a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Scenic State Park
| work = Rustic Style Resources in Minnesota State Parks
| publisher =Minnesota Historical Society
| date = 2001
| url = http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Scenic.html
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref> Contains 10 CCC buildings.
|--
||[[Schoolcraft State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/schoolcraft/narrative.html]||[[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass]] and [[Itasca County, Minnesota|Itasca]]||{{nts|225}} acres (0.91 km²)||1959|| [[Mississippi River]] ||{{coord|47.2249502|-93.7999449|name=Schoolcraft State Park}}||Named after [[Henry Rowe Schoolcraft]] who charted the origins of the Mississippi river with an Indian guide, [[Ozawindib]]. Contains virgin pine forest with some trees over 300 years old.
|--
||[[Sibley State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/narrative.html]||[[Kandiyohi County, Minnesota|Kandiyohi]]||{{nts|2509}} acres (10.15 km²)||1919|| Lake Andrew and other [[kettle (landform)|kettle]] lakes ||{{coord|45.3196867|-95.0230696|name=Sibley State Park}}||Named for [[Henry Hastings Sibley]], the first [[Governor of Minnesota|governor]] of the state.
|--
||[[Soudan Underground Mine State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/soudan_underground_mine/narrative.html]||[[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis]]||{{nts|1250}} acres (5.05 km²)||1963|| [[Lake Vermilion]] ||{{coord|47.8246403|-92.2562691|name=Soudan Underground Mine State Park}}||Minnesota's oldest, deepest, and richest iron mine. The tour of the mine goes {{convert|2341|ft|m}} below the earth's surface. Hosts the Soudan Underground Physics Laboratory High Energy Physics Lab which searches for [[Dark Matter]].
|--
||[[Split Rock Creek State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/split_rock_creek/narrative.html]||[[Pipestone County, Minnesota|Pipestone]]|| {{nts|1303}} acres (5.27 km²)||1937|| Split Rock Lake ||{{coord|43.8980264|-96.3642032|name=Split Rock Creek State Park}}|| Split Rock Lake, a human-made lake, is the largest body of water in Pipestone County. This park is located on the [[Coteau des Prairies]].
|--
||[[Split Rock Lighthouse State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/split_rock_lighthouse/narrative.html]||[[Lake County, Minnesota|Lake]]||{{nts|2200}} acres (8.9 km²)||1945|| [[Lake Superior]] ||{{coord|47.1921472|-91.3929484|name=Split Rock Lighthouse State Park}}||Lighthouse was commissioned in 1910, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. Lighthouse is built on anorthosite, a remnant of ancient lava flows.
|--
||[[Temperance River State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/temperance_river/narrative.html]||[[Cook County, Minnesota|Cook]]||{{nts|5059}} acres (20.47 km²)||1957|| [[Lake Superior]] and [[Temperance River]] ||{{coord|47.5543466|-90.8723722|name=Temperance River State Park}}||Named the Temperance River because there was no sand "bar" at its mouth.
|--
||[[Tettegouche State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/tettegouche/narrative.html]||[[Lake County, Minnesota|Lake]]|| {{nts|9562}} acres (38.69 km²)||1979|| [[Lake Superior]] and [[Baptism River]] ||{{coord|47.358806|-91.2640506|name=Tettegouche State Park}}||Park contains a 60 ft (18 m) tall waterfall, the tallest entirely within the state. Shovel Point and [[Palisade Head]] cliffs are popular for rock climbing.
|--
||[[Upper Sioux Agency State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/upper_sioux_agency/narrative.html]||[[Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota|Yellow Medicine]]||{{nts|1281}} acres (5.18 km²)||1963|| [[Minnesota River|Minnesota]] and [[Yellow Medicine River]]s ||{{coord|44.7380132|-95.4539039|name=Upper Sioux Agency State Park}}||Preserves the site of the historic [[Yellow Medicine Agency]] which was destroyed in the [[Dakota War of 1862]].
|--
||[[Whitewater State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/narrative.html]||[[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona]]||{{nts|2745}} acres (11.1 km²)||1919|| [[Whitewater River (Minnesota)|Whitewater River]] ||{{coord|44.058297|-92.0587726|name=Whitewater State Park}}||[[Bald eagle]]s remain year round. With adjacent [[Whitewater Wildlife Management Area]] the park forms a flood buffer. Park is in the [[Driftless area]]
|--
||[[Wild River State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river/narrative.html]||[[Chisago County, Minnesota|Chisago]]|| {{nts|6767}} acres (27.38 km²) ||1973|| [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]] ||{{coord|45.5680159|-92.8757696|name=Saint Croix Wild River State Park}}||Named after the St. Croix's status as a [[National Wild and Scenic River]].
|--
||[[William O'Brien State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/william_obrien/narrative.html]||[[Washington County, Minnesota|Washington]]|| {{nts|1620}} acres (6.55 km²) ||1947|| [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]] ||{{coord|45.2194109|-92.7660423|name=William O'Brien State Park}}|| Provides outdoor recreation opportunities near [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul]].
|--
||[[Zippel Bay State Park]]|| [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/zippel_bay/narrative.html]||[[Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota|Lake of the Woods]]|| {{nts|2906}} acres (11.76 km²)||1959|| [[Lake of the Woods]] ||{{coord|48.8638742|-94.8593862|name=Zippel Bay State Park}}||[[Moose]] and [[Timberwolves]] can be seen at the park, formerly the site of a village.
|--
|}
==Former parks==
Several units added to the Minnesota state park system over the years have since been redesignated or transferred to other agencies. In most cases this decision was due to the unit being too small for a state park with little chance of expansion, or largely local use rather than attracting visitors from all over the state and beyond.<ref name="Meyer" /> A partial list follows:
{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
! Name !! Established !! Redesignated !! Result
|-
| Alexander Ramsey State Park
| 1911
| 1957
| Transferred to [[Redwood Falls, Minnesota|Redwood Falls]] as a city park.<ref> {{cite web | title = 1957 Minn. Laws ch. 230 | work = 2006 Minnesota Statutes sec. 810 | publisher = Office of the Revisor of Statutes | url = http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=current§ion=85.10 | accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref>
|-
| Caribou Falls State Park
| 1947
| 1969
| Redesignated a state scenic wayside.<ref name="Meyer" />
|-
| Horace Austin State Park
| 1913
| 1949
| Transferred to [[Austin, Minnesota|Austin]] as a city park.<ref> {{cite web | title = 1949 Minn. Laws ch. 425, sec. 1; 1959 Minn. Laws ch. 4, secs. 1,2 | work = 2006 Minnesota Statutes sec. 812 | publisher = Office of the Revisor of Statutes | url = http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=current§ion=85.12 | accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref>
|-
| Kaplan Woods State Park
| 1935
| 1963
| Part demolished to build a highway, remainder transferred to [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]] as a city park.<ref> {{cite web | title = Kaplan Woods Parkway | work = Parks & Recreation | publisher = City of Owatonna | url = http://www.ci.owatonna.mn.us/services/parks/park-kaplan.php | accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref>
|-
| Kodonce River State Park (also spelled Kadunce River)
| 1947
| 1969
| Redesignated a state scenic wayside.<ref name="Meyer" />
|-
| Little Elbow Lake State Park
| 1963
| 1989
| Transferred to [[White Earth Indian Reservation]].<ref name="Meyer" />
|-
| Oronoco Park (later Oronoco State Scenic Reserve)
| 1937
| 1965
| Transferred to [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]].<ref> {{cite web | title = 1965 Minn. Laws ch. 810, sec. 9 | work = 2006 Minnesota Statutes sec. 816 | publisher = Office of the Revisor of Statutes | url = http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=current§ion=85.16 | accessdate = 2007-09-22 }}</ref>
|-
| Pine Tree State Park
| 1947
| 1965
| Transferred to [[Blackduck, Minnesota|Blackduck]] as a city park.<ref name="Meyer" />
|-
| Sleepy Eye State Park
| 1921
| 1965
| Transferred to [[Sleepy Eye, Minnesota|Sleepy Eye]] as a city park.<ref name="Meyer" />
|-
| [[Traverse des Sioux]] State Park
|
| 1981
| Transferred to [[Minnesota Historical Society]] and city of [[Saint Peter, Minnesota|Saint Peter]].<ref name="Meyer" />
|}
==See also==
*[[List of U.S. national parks]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*Arthur, Anne. ''Minnesota's State Parks''. Adventure Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-885061-51-X
*Meyer, Roy Willard. ''Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks''. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1991. ISBN 0-87351-266-9
==External links==
{{kml}}
*[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html Minnesota State Parks] on the Department of Natural Resources website
*[http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/85/012.html 2006 Minnesota Statute sec. 85.012 State parks]—statutory list
*[http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/PED/pedrep/0002ch1.pdf Minnesota State Park System—Legislative Auditor Report]
{{Lists of state parks by U.S. state|expanded}}
{{Minnesota}}
[[Category:Minnesota state parks| ]]
[[Category:Lists of parks|Minnesota state parks]]
[[Category:Minnesota lists|State parks]]
[[de:State Parks in Minnesota]]
[[fr:Liste des parcs d'État du Minnesota]]