Hike Through A Hidden Forest Then Dine At A Small-Town Cafe On This Delightful Adventure In Minnesota

Tucked up in the northwestern corner of the Northstar State, Lake Bronson State Park may be a mystery to many Minnesotans, but it is a locally-popular destination that makes for an ideal start to a small town adventure in Minnesota. Follow that up with a meal at Foxy Roxy's Diner in nearby Lancaster, and you've got yourself a darned-near perfect day in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Lake Bronson State Park is named for the lake that was created when the Works Progress Administration ("WPA") built a dam on the South Branch Two Rivers River in 1937.

Originally Two Rivers State Park, the name changed to Lake Bronson State Park in 1945.

Lake Bronson sits at the transition zone between Minnesota's woodlands and its tallgrass prairies, making it a prime example of the state's aspen parklands biome.

Visitors enjoy miles of hiking trails through the park's woods and across its grassy prairies.

Many species of wildlife, including black bears and elk, also enjoy the area, visiting or making their home in the park.

Lake Bronson, itself, is a great spot for fishing, boating, or swimming from the beautifully-maintained beach.

After a day at the park or before you get started - or both - head 15 minutes up the road to Foxy Roxy's Diner in the small community of Lancaster, Minnesota.

It's everything you would hope for in a small town cafe.

You'll find everything from hearty breakfasts...

to savory lunch and dinner specials...

to delectable desserts.

Visit Foxy Roxy's Facebook page for hours and to see what's cookin'.

Now that you've stretched your legs and had a meal, it's probably time to get some rest. Fortunately, Lake Bronson State Park has several large campgrounds with many different site options where you can build a fire and settle in for a night of stargazing. Visit the park's DNR webpage for more information on camping at Lake Bronson or to make reservations.

Have you visited Lake Bronson State Park or Foxy Roxy's Diner? Let us know in the comments. What other spots would make for an awesome small town adventure in Minnesota? Comment below or nominate your favorite spot.