Best MN state park with waterfalls: Gooseberry Falls

If you love waterfalls, then Gooseberry Falls State Park is the best destination in Minnesota. Here you’ll find not one, but four scenic waterfalls located on the North Shore and Lake Superior. Gooseberry Falls attracts nearly 800,000 visitors annually. To avoid the crowds, check out this guide for the best time to visit and the top things to do at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

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Top things to do at Tettegouche State Park in Minnesota

Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore is one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks. This scenic destination overlooking Lake Superior offers breathtaking views, cliffs for rock climbing, a historic camp, a variety of camping options, scenic hiking trails, four beautiful waterfalls, and more.

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Guide to Judge C.R. Magney State Park in Minnesota

Judge C.R. Magney State Park is one of the best state parks in Minnesota for solitude and challenging hikes in the wilderness. This lovely park offers scenic views of the mysterious Devil’s Kettle as a waterfall seemingly disappears into ancient rock. Learn more about the top things to do at Judge C.R. Magney State Park on the North Shore in Minnesota.

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Guide to Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park in MN

Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park is one of the best Minnesota state parks because of its diversity; beautiful wooded trails, limestone bluffs, a pre-Civil War cemetery, historic village, trout streams, underground cave tours, and more.

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Best tours in Galena, Illinois: Galena Trolley Tours

Take the narrated Galena Trolley Tours for the best historical overview of this former lead-mining town in Illinois. This one-hour sightseeing trolley ride navigates through the rolling hills of Galena, the historic district, and features several historic buildings including President U.S. Grant’s home, the oldest and largest homes in Galena, and much more.

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Top things to do at Flandrau State Park in Minnesota

Flandrau State Park, set in the charming German community of New Ulm, MN, offers scenic overlooks and trails through the woods and grasslands and along a goat prairie and the Cottonwood River. Additionally, Flandrau State Park offers a sandy-bottom swimming pond.

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Top things to do at William O’Brien State Park in Minnesota

One of the closest state parks to the Twin Cities, William O’Brien State Park in Marine of St. Croix is a perfect day trip from Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Hike under 100-year-old pine trees, next to the St. Croix River and wetlands, through prairies, oak savanna, and hardwood forests. Other highlights include a huge beaver lodge and a small lake with a sandy beach and fishing pier.   

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A local’s guide to Fort Snelling State Park in Minnesota

Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul offers easy, scenic hiking trails, and is located within the Twin Cities, MN metro area. Here you can hike to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. And it’s one of the best state parks for history buffs – with the area dating back 10,000 years.

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Top things to do at Buffalo River State Park in MN

A local’s guide to the top things to do at Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota. One of the largest northern tallgrass prairies in the U.S., this state park with 4,568 acres offers serene hiking trails, fishing, camping, and more than 250 species of wildflowers and grasses.

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Guide to scenic Beaver Creek Valley State Park in MN

Beaver Creek Valley State Park in Caledonia, Minn. offers easy to moderate hikes for spectacular views of trees, streams, valleys, and bluffs. And is located in a geological area known as the Blufflands Landscape Region and Driftless Area (meaning that it was untouched by most recent glaciers). When the glaciers melted, however, the torrential water created beautiful ravines, gorges, and valleys.

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Best flower gardens in and near the Twin Cities

If you’re looking for the best flower gardens in the Twin Cities metro area, here is a local’s guide to the top-ranked favorites in and near Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. From cherry blossoms to tulips to peonies to roses to sunflowers and more – you’ll find beautiful flower gardens and flower farms in Minnesota.

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When to visit MN state parks for free this year

Minnesota, the land of 10,000+ lakes (11,842 of them), is also home to 75 state parks and recreational areas. And the state offers four free entrance days to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas every year. Learn more. [Post updated Jan. 6, 2024, with Minnesota state park free admission days in 2024.]

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The best Minnesota hiking trails within 50 miles of the Twin Cities

St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota (Twin Cities) rank #2 and #3 in the nation for the best parks. A local shares her favorite hiking trails, nature trails, and urban walking tours at dozens of parks within 50 miles of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Perfect for when you need to connect with nature on a staycation or visiting the Twin Cities. Pin this post for regular updates. Updated: June 2, 2023

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List of the best Minnesota state parks with reviews

A travel blogger and day hiker visited all 66 Minnesota state parks and shares reviews, FAQs, and top things to do. Take the Minnesota State Challenge and explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes, acres of forests, miles of hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, campgrounds, and more. Originally posted June 11, 2020. Updated June 10, 2023.

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Most scenic road trip in Minnesota: North Shore on Lake Superior

A local’s guide to the most scenic drive in Minnesota: Lake Superior’s North Shore. Perfect Minnesota vacation or staycation itinerary with recommended stops for those who love hiking, chasing waterfalls and driving along Lake Superior. Update: 04.28.23. Original post: 05.17.21

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Perfect itinerary for one day at the Gateway Arch National Park

Here’s a perfect one-day itinerary for things to do at the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri. You can take the tram up to the Gateway Arch observation deck, cruise along the riverfront, tour the historic Old Church and more. Updated April 22, 2023 from original Sept. 5, 2019 post.

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