Minnesota is a large state with plenty to do. We have huge, thick forests that rise into high hills like Eagle Mountain or the Sawtooth Range. We have vast swaths of prairie that give way to thousands of sparkling lakes. Each of these is incredibly beautiful, but we all know that Minnesota's crown jewel is the largest lake of them all. Lake Superior is easily comparable to the earth's most beautiful oceans. Here are 17 stunning photos that prove it:

1. Just like the ocean, Lake Superior can be a calming place to completely relax.

2. However, this huge lake is not without its rough waters.

3. The drama is at its highest when the Northern Lights reflect off the lake. It's the most beautiful sight you can see without going to the ocean.

4. But there is everyday beauty too. This incredible red sunrise over Lake Superior is absolutely amazing.

5. Along its many miles of shoreline, you'll find plenty of lovely beaches, just like the ocean.

6. However, these beaches may be even more interesting to visit. Most are strewn with pebbles and stones. If you're lucky, you'll find a Lake Superior agate.

7. Even in winter, Lake Superior offers otherworldly beauty to all who pause to look at it.

8. And throughout the year, choppy waters overtake this largest of great lakes. After you see the waves in person, it's not surprising that this lake hosts many shipwrecks.

9. Many more shipwrecks were prevented by Lake Superior's lighthouses. In Minnesota, Split Rock stands as one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the entire world.

10. Other rocky cliffs dominate Minnesota's Superior coastline, too. Palisade Head and Shovel Point are the most famous, but many smaller ones are just as gorgeous.

11. It's hard to find a good, high vantage point from an ocean beach. But on Lake Superior's cliffs, you can see for miles.

12. The lake isn't just for looking at. Many use it for boating, fishing, and more.

13. When the waters are rough, some brave souls take to surfing Lake Superior's icy depths.

14. They may not be tropical palm trees, but the forests that line Lake Superior offer up a quiet beauty all their own.

15. Here, the Temperance River flows into Lake Superior. It makes for a beautiful scene that you just aren't going to find on a day at the beach.

16. You also aren't likely to find a fall landscape at a tropical beach. But in Minnesota's Lake Superior, you'll see some of the most beautiful fall colors imaginable. They're even better when reflected in the lake.

17. They may not be icebergs, but winter brings chunks of ice that make the lake look like an alien landscape. It is absolutely breathtaking.

What do you think? When is your favorite time to visit Lake Superior? How do the Great Lakes measure up against the ocean? Let us know in the comments below!