The gorgeous St. Croix River marks the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and in Taylors Falls you can find a stunning state park that is actually located in both states. Minnesota and Wisconsin both have a separately managed Interstate State Park, that together form one of the best park lands in the region, not to mention the first in the nation to be in two states.
The Dalles of the St. Croix in the middle of the park provide stunning views of the river from both sides.
Moose Lake State Park, near the Minnesota town with which it shares a name, is located about halfway between Hinckley and Duluth. This means that it's sometimes overlooked by folks rushing to get up to the North Shore or back down to the cities - or bypassed in favor of more popular Minnesota state parks in the vicinity, like Jay Cooke or Banning State Parks. But make no mistake, Moose Lake State Park has much to offer, and those who make the stop are in for a bonus: There's a fascinating museum in this Minnesota state park, and it's completely free to enjoy.
You'll find Moose Lake State Park just a few minutes southeast of Moose Lake, Minnesota, and about 40 minutes south of Duluth. At 829 acres, it's one of the smaller state parks in Minnesota, but you'll find plenty to enjoy here.
The park is home to five miles of hiking trails that wind through woods and along lakes and ponds. Echo and Moosehead Lakes are the park's two main bodies of water. The former is home to a boat ramp, fishing pier, and swimming beach. I think Echo Lake is particularly beautiful for canoeing or kayaking. Campers will find 33 drive-thru sites, including 20 with electric hook-ups. The maximum RV length is 60 feet. There are also two walk-in sites for folks seeking a little more solitude.
But before you enjoy all these other park amenities, be sure to take some time to explore the Moose Lake Agate and Geological Center, which is located inside the park's visitor center. It's full of exhibits covering the unique geology of this part of Minnesota.
Moose Lake State Park and the Moose Lake Agate and Geological Center are excellent destinations for a weekend or day trip, but they're definitely worth a stop on your way to or from Duluth and the North Shore. The park visitor center is open seasonally from May to October, Fridays through Sundays. The Agate and Geological Center is open when the visitor center is open. Although you need a vehicle permit to drive into the park, you can tour the museum for free. Visit the park's home on the DNR website for more information. If you plan to hike while you're there, AllTrails Plus is an awesome resource for trail maps and information.
Have you visited Moose Lake State Park and checked out the Agate and Geological Center? Let us know in the comments!
Here in Minnesota, it's not hard to find an amazing state park to explore. After all, our state does have more than 60 of them. All are fantastic to visit for hiking, camping, boating, and more. But some stand out above the rest, including Itasca State Park. It was the first state park in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and I think it's easily one of the best state parks in Minnesota.
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Itasca State Park is located about halfway between Park Rapids and Bemidji in northern Minnesota.
It's lined with stones that most visitors can easily make their way across. It's one of the only places where it's possible to walk across the Mighty Mississippi.
For more information on the park's trails and downloadable maps, check out AllTrails Plus. Have you ever been to Itasca State Park? Do you agree with me that it's one of the best state parks in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments. And if you're looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten path, check out our past list of some of the least-crowded state parks in Minnesota.
