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State and National Parks and Forests in Minnesota

State Parks and Forests | National Parks and Forests | Resources

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Minnesota has about 70 state parks, 12 state trails and 32 state forests under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources. A national park and two national forests are also located in the state.

Map of Minnesota

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State Parks and Forests in Minnesota

Minnesota's state parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities. Some of the parks with larger trail systems are:

• Itasca State Park - 33 miles of trails, canoeing, hiking, xc skiing
• Jay Cooke State Park - 35 miles of trails, hiking, mountain biking, xc skiing
• Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 35 miles of trails, hiking, horseback riding, xc skiing
• St Croix State Park - 127 miles of trails, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, xc skiing
• Wild River State Park - 35 miles of trails, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, xc skiing
• Minnesota Valley Recreation Area - 47 miles, hiking
• Afton State Park - 20 miles of trails, hiking, xc skiing

Several state trails offer paved or gravel surfaces for bicycling, inline skating and cross-country skiing:

• Heartland - 28 miles
• Sakatah Singing Hills - 39 miles
• Willard Munger - 63 miles
• Glacial Lakes - 22 miles
• Luce Line - 30 miles
• Gateway - 20 miles
• Douglas - 13 miles
• Root River - 35 miles
• Harmony-Preston Valley - 18 miles

A few state trails are not upgraded but may be passable by mountain bike:

• Arrowead State Trail - 135 miles
• North Shore State Trail - 70 miles
• Taconite State Trail - 165 miles

Vehicle passes are required to enter state parks. Most of Minnesota's state parks have campgrounds and a several of them have a few cabins to rent. Many state parks have bikes, canoes or snowshoes for rent. Trail passes are required on state trails.

State Park Fees

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National Parks and Forests in Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park has 26 miles of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Day or annual passes are required to enter national parks.

National Park Fees

Chippewa National Forest has 160 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing

Superior National Forest has many trails for hiking, cross-country skiing. The northern section of the forest is dominated by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with more than 1.1 million acres of wilderness and 1,100 lakes linked by portages. In the Arrowhead Region the Gunflint Trail offers trails for cross-country skiing.

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Parks Resources

State Parks and Forests The Department of Natural Resources publishes a brochure listing the facilities and activities available at state parks and forests in Minnesota. Maps of the parks and trails can be downloaded online or ordered from the DNR. www.dnr.state.mn.us

National Parks The National Park Service website has information about Voyageurs National Park. www.nps.gov/voya

National Forests The Forest Service can provide more information about activities and services available in Superior National Forest and Chippewa National Forest. www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior and www.fs.fed.us/r9/chippewa

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness www.bcaw.org

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