Posted in Minnesota Nature September 16, 2020 by

Little-Known Maplewood State Park Is One Of Minnesota’s Best Places To Visit This Fall

Come fall, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is at its most beautiful! After a hot, humid summer, the autumn season is a welcome last hurrah before winter sets in again. There are many places all across the state to enjoy the cool weather and beautiful colors that fall brings. Any of Minnesota’s 66 state parks will do the trick, including the little-known Maplewood State Park. Here, you’ll find a maple forest that blazes with color every fall. It’s one of the best places in Minnesota to visit in the autumn. For more information about the park, read on below:

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Maplewood State Park is a little-known park in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. It's about 200 miles northwest of Minneapolis, in Otter Tail County.
Pavan Sripada/Google
The park covers more than 9,000 acres. It is best known for its trees. Maplewood State Park is home to hardwood forests of maple, basswood, and oak. In the fall, their leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red.
Jake G/TripAdvisor
There's plenty to do to occupy yourself in the park. There are 25 miles of hiking trails and 20 miles of horse trails that will bring you up close to the leaves. Picnic areas make it easy to stop for a lovely autumn lunch.
Amber Lien/Flickr
Some trails will take you high above the trees, where you'll see the landscape from above. You'll catch a glimpse of the park's many lakes and ponds.
Ben Sullivan/Google
Maplewood State Park also has plenty of lakes! There are eight lakes and many different ponds. A walk along the banks is a must during a fall visit.
Julia L/Google
Many visitors also enjoy canoeing or kayaking on the water. What better way to enjoy the river's tree-lined banks?
Ryan Olson/Google
No matter how you plan to enjoy Maplewood State Park, it's definitely a must-visit spot for Minnesota in the fall. The hardwood forests, combined with the many lakes and ponds, make it absolutely beautiful.
Ed Minnesota/Google

Have you ever been to Maplewood State Park? What are your other favorite places to visit in Minnesota during the fall? Let us know in the comments! For more great places to visit this fall, check out our list of 10 Minnesota state parks with stunning fall foliage.

Address: 39721 Park Entrance Road, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572, USA