The Minnesota Recreation Area Worth Driving Across The State To Explore
By Trent Jonas|Updated on April 19, 2024(Originally published July 25, 2023)
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
The newest Minnesota state recreation area (“SRA”) is located in the Heartland Lakes region, in the northwestern-ish part of the state. La Salle Lake State Recreation Area in Minnesota was established in 2011; and no matter where you live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s a Minnesota destination worth traveling to.
La Salle Lake SRA is located just north of the Mississippi River's headwaters.
The recreation area also includes an adjacent Scientific and Natural Area ("SNA") that protects pristine habitat and an archaeological site that demonstrates native habitation of the area dating back thousands of years. The SNA also contains La Salle Creek and undisturbed upper Mississippi River shoreline.
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The park is centered around lake-based activities, such as swimming, paddling, and boating.
A fishing pier helps shore anglers get beyond the vegetation line.
There are several miles of trails in the park, including the 6.5-mile Challenge Trail, which loops around the lake and showcases the rugged glacier-wrought terrain in the recreation area.
Take a virtual tour of the SNA portion of the recreation area in this DNR YouTube video. You'll head out along the River Overlook Trail and La Salle Creek to views of the Mississippi River:
In the recreation area, you'll find towering red pines and jack pine forests.
The SRA is an important places for many bird species and is home to a dozen species of orchids, including the rare ram's head lady's slipper and its more common cousin, the yellow lady's slipper.
The recreation area has a campground with 39 sites, as well as a seasonal cabin that sleeps four and a seasonal guest house that can accommodate up to 10 people.
There are a few resorts in the area, and Itasca State Park is not too far from La Salle Lake. You'll also find a few cozy vacation rentals, like this cabin in the woods, within several minutes of the recreation area.
When making the trip to La Salle Lake State Recreation Area, you’ll be very close to Itasca State Park – the oldest and second largest of the state parks in Minnesota – which is, famously, where the headwaters of the Mississippi River can be found. So, you’ll certainly want to plan to visit Itasca, as well.
Have you made the trip to La Salle Lake State Recreation Area in Minnesota? Tell us about your experience in the comments, and definitely nominate any other destinations in Minnesota that are worth making a trip to explore.
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