By: Aliana Baumgardner-Romo

Minnesota has an impressive amount of state parks and beautiful things to see. Overall, there are 66 state parks which make up more than 235,000 acres of land, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota is also bordered by Lake Superior which offers quick access to the beautiful clear water and many of the parks beside it. Overall, a lot of Minnesota is forests, lakes, waterfalls and rivers, most importantly the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi river is the primary river and the second largest river in the world, and it starts here in Minnesota. It starts from lake Itasca and flows all throughout the United States into the Gulf of Mexico. One of the most known state parks in Minnesota is Itasca State park. I’ve been going to Itasca with my family ever since I was around 6 years old. In my opinion the park is very beautiful and it’s fun to swim in the river, especially with family. There’s many things to do, learn about, see and explore. Many people like to camp, fish, and visit a lot of the historical sites around. Overall, Itasca state park is one of the best in Minnesota for family trips.

Another personal favorite of mine is Gooseberry Falls which is located in Two Harbors, only 30 minutes away from Duluth. Gooseberry Falls is one of the most popular and most visited parks on the North Shore of Minnesota. The park includes 20 miles of hiking trails, scenic waterfalls, Lake Superior shoreline and many things to see. This is a favorite for me because it’s very family friendly, you can swim in the water and get relatively close to the waterfall. Overall, it’s very beautiful and offers a lot of hiking, it’s also close to Duluth which also offers a lot of beautiful trails and Lake Superior access.

There’re many state parks that offer Lake Superior access and views, although one of the prettiest is Tettegouche State Park. Located in Silver Bay, this park offers a beautiful scenic view 300 feet above Lake Superior. Along with 60-foot waterfalls, hiking, camping and rock climbing.

Besides rivers and lakes, Minnesota has many prairies and land to visit. One of the best places to explore is Glacial Lakes State Park, which provides access to hills and the clear water of the Signals Lake. It’s perfect for camping, swimming and provides many hiking trails for views of cone shaped hills and water-filled depressions.

Overall, Minnesota has a rich history that provides a lot of new things to learn about and explore. It’s home to a lot of prairies, lakes, rivers, forests, waterfalls and much more that allows scenic views and access to hiking trails.