Parks and expos in United States

#11 · Beaver Creek Valley State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Caledonia·6 trails

Big Spring, the source of Beaver Creek, became part of Beaver Creek Valley State Park in 1937. Today, the park protects rare and diverse plants and animals. The scenic beauty of this valley, in the driftless area of Minnesota, offers a unique setting for a day hike or camping trip. Fish for trout in the streams, experience spring wildflowers and bird migrations, hike quiet trails, or marvel at steep valley walls carved by glacial meltwater thousands of years ago. There is no biking allowed in the park, but the Root River State Trail is only a 20 minute drive away.

#12 · Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Nerstrand·12 trails

In 1945, the creation of this park protected one of the last remnants of Minnesota’s Big Woods. A visit today reveals the ancient forests of pre-settlement Minnesota. Walk beneath sugar maple, basswood, elm, green ash and ironwood trees. Find over 50 varieties of wildflowers and many species of ferns and mushrooms along the rolling hills and glacial-cut valleys. Prairie Creek flows through the park, its picturesque Hidden Falls just waiting to be discovered. Picnic, hike, birdwatch, take photographs or camp. There is so much to see and do.

#13 · John A. Latsch State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Minnesota City·1 trail

Full of Mississippi River vistas, this park bears the name of the philanthropic Winona grocer who donated the land to the state in 1925. The park’s convenient location and small footprint have made it a favorite stopping point for people traveling between La Crosse, Wisconsin and Red Wing, Minnesota. The park was once classified as a state scenic wayside and is unique in not requiring a state park permit today. The park’s hiking trail was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Enjoy the beautiful views you will find there.

#14 · Sakatah Lake State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Waterville·5 trails

Established in 1963, Sakatah Lake State Park offers you the opportunity to camp, hike and recreate by the lake, while still protecting forests, wetlands, prairies and the creatures that depend on them. Members of the Dakota Nation, the Wahpekute (Wapacoota) tribe gave this area the name Sakatah, meaning "the sights and sounds of children playing on the hill," or loosely translated to "Singing Hills." The rolling terrain is the work of glaciers that deposited mounds of rocks and mineral debris (called moraines) some 14,000 years ago. In some places these deposits are up to 400 feet deep.

#15 · Frontenac State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Frontenac·10 trails

Immerse yourself in rich natural communities and diverse landscapes during a trip to Frontenac State Park. Experience over 2,600 acres of bluffs, prairie, floodplain forests and hardwood forest. The area’s resources have drawn civilizations since 400 B.C. when the Hopewell culture was here. Later, the area was used for fur trading, stone quarrying and farming. Visit the park in spring or fall and you’ll be in one of the best spots in the country to view bird migrations. Hikers and skiers can also enjoy spectacular views of the river valley and Lake Pepin.

#16 · Afton State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Hastings·14 trails

Afton State Park was established in 1969 for visitors to experience unique natural features and enjoy outdoor recreation. Just forty minutes east of the Twin Cities, the park lies along bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River. Here you will see wildflowers and grasses in restored prairies that were once agricultural fields. Below, outcrops of limestone jut from the sides of deep, forested ravines that drop three hundred feet to the river. Make your way down to the water’s edge and watch for wildlife. The park’s diverse habitats make it a birdwatcher’s haven with over 190 species, some of which are rare.

#17 · Minneopa State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Mankato·6 trails

Established in 1905, Minneopa State Park is the third oldest state park in Minnesota. It is best known for the double waterfall that thunders during high water. The upper falls drops 7 to 10 feet and the lower falls tumbles another 40. This feature is the result of water cutting into layers of sandstone over time. Take the Mill Road to look for the bison, reintroduced in 2015. These animals will naturally manage the prairie ecosystem, just as they did over a hundred fifty years ago. Near this area, you may view another reminder of the park’s rich history: Seppmann Mill. Enjoy a walk to the sandstone windmill that ground wheat and other grains from 1864 to 1890.

#18 · Fort Snelling State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Mendota Heights·10 trails

The Mississippi and Minnesota rivers have been shaping the landscape for thousands of years. An abundance of plants and animals continues to be sustained by all of this water. The majority of the park is dominated by cottonwood and silver maple trees and visitors can often spy white-tailed deer and wild turkeys while exploring the trails. The confluence of the rivers is the center of the earth, and a sacred place, for the Mdewakanton Dakota people. It is also where 1600 Dakota people were imprisoned during the winter of 1862-63 before being forcibly removed from Minnesota in the spring. Exhibits in the Visitor Center and the Wokiksuye K'a Woyuonihan (Remembering and Honoring) Dakota Memorial share the cultural significance and history of this sacred site with park users.

#19 · Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

0.0(0)·Park·Jordan·7 trails

The Minnesota Valley State Recreation was created in 1994 when several existing trails, and the land around them, were combined. Today, it protects 5,490 acres of diverse plant and wildlife communities. It also offers equally diverse recreation like hiking, biking, bird watching, horseback riding, snowmobiling and more. Look for evidence of the area’s past during your visit. Ten thousand years ago, Glacial River Warren carved the Minnesota River Valley. It then retreated, leaving behind this broad valley and a much smaller stream.

#20 · Minnesota State Fair 2026

0.0(0)·Park·Falcon Heights·3 trails

The Ninth National Eucharistic Congress was a Catholic Eucharistic congress held from June 23 to 26, 1941, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The event, meant to foster devotion to the sacrament of the Eucharist, attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees. While primarily at the Eucharistic Center set up at the fairgrounds, other events took place at Saint Paul Union Depot, the Minneapolis Auditorium, the St.

#21 · William O'Brien State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Marine on St. Croix·10 trails

This area has drawn people for centuries, including: Dakota and Ojibwe tribes utilizing local resources; European trappers drawn by the fur-trade industry; and lumberjacks seeking to harvest the “endless stands” of white pine. The era of timber harvesting began in 1839 and flourished until lumber companies had cleared the St. Croix River valley of pines. Local lumber baron William O’Brien bought much of the land owned by the lumber companies. In 1945, his daughter, Alice O’Brien, donated 180 acres to be developed as a state park in his memory. The park now protects 1,880 acres of prairie, oak savanna, river floodplain and hardwood forest.

#22 · Interstate State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Taylors Falls·7 trails

Interstate State Park includes 293 acres of diverse plant and wildlife habitat. Established in 1895, it protects a unique landscape and globally-significant geology along the St. Croix River. A billion years ago, dark basalt rock formed here when lava escaped from a crack in the earth’s crust. Just ten thousand years ago, water from melting glaciers carved the river valley. Within that water were fast moving whirlpools of swirling sand and water that wore deep holes into the rock. Today, we call these holes glacial potholes and you can see more than 400 examples of them at the park.

#23 · Fort Ridgely State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Fairfax·5 trails

Fort Ridgely State Park was created in 1911 as a memorial to those who fought in the US-Dakota War of 1862. The fort within the park was built in 1853 as a United States Army outpost and training ground, housing 300 soldiers and civilians. In 1862, the Dakota made two attacks on the fort. The war had lasting impacts on the state of Minnesota and the nation. Visit the park today to find more reminders of the area’s history. You may discover stone structures built by Civilian Conservation Corps and Veterans Conservation Corps crews in the 1930s.

#24 · Kilen Woods State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Lakefield·3 trails

Kilen Woods State Park was created in 1945 to preserve vanishing natural features in the Des Moines River Watershed. The beautiful Prairie Bush Clover Scientific and Natural Area is located within the park and protects the federally threatened prairie bush clover along with hundreds of prairie dependent plants, pollinators and wildlife. You’ll also experience oak savanna and cool woodlands during your stay. Visit and immerse yourself in the park’s unique habitats as you hike, camp, paddle or bird watch.

#25 · Lake Maria State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Maple Lake·16 trails

Lake Maria State Park protects almost 1,600 acres of rolling wooded terrain dotted with small lakes and woodland marshes. Established in 1963, the park offers quiet outdoor experiences to photographers, birdwatchers, backpackers, hikers and anyone interested in beauty and solitude. Hike trails and you will see Big Woods vegetation with remnants of old-growth oak, maple and basswood trees. The park’s diverse habitat is home to many animals including the threatened Blandings turtle and over 200 resident and migrant bird species.

#26 · Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area

0.0(0)·Park·Darwin·2 trails

Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area is the result of grassroots efforts to protect natural shore land and productive wildlife habitat from development. Among the area’s treasures are a unique forested island on Sioux Lake with a rare mixture of American and rock elms along with large basswood, green ash, bur and red oak seldom found in Minnesota. Visit to experience an area rich in wildlife where water, prairie, forest and agriculture all meet.

#27 · Banning State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Finlayson·13 trails

Banning State Park is filled with gorgeous scenery, historic significance and recreational adventure. The park was created in 1963 to protect a unique landscape along the Kettle River. The river itself is a favorite of whitewater paddlers. With five sets of rapids ranging from Class III-V, it offers a wavy playground for experienced paddlers. Hikers can enjoy river views from 17 miles of scenic trails. Watch for wildlife, climb through unique geological formations, and visit two waterfalls during your stay. Stop along the Quarry Loop Trail to explore the ruins of a 130-year-old sandstone quarry. See the quarry wall that still bears the marks of steam-powered drills and find the skeletons of the rock crusher and power house buildings.

#28 · Lake Shetek State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Currie·6 trails

Created in 1937, the park gives you access to the largest lake in Southwest Minnesota. Lake Shetek has long drawn humans. The first to farm and settle here were of the Great Oasis culture around 900-1100 A.D. The Dakota people, who had their homes around the lakes and prairies, came into contact with European explorers in the 1840s. Immigrants later created a settlement along the lake that came to an end during the tragic U.S./Dakota War of 1862. During your visit you may see reminders of this time. Today, the park offers you opportunities to make new memories in this historic place. Camp, fish, swim, hike, paddle and more.

#29 · Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Onamia·8 trails

Experience over 10,000 acres of hardwood forest, pine stands, lakes and wetlands within the park. View the Rum River as it flows through the park from its source on the southwest shore of Mille Lacs Lake. For thousands of years people have chosen this abundant landscape as a premier location to harvest resources and to live. Archaeologists have identified over 30 significant sites within the park, indicating over 9,000 years of human interaction with the landscape. The park is recognized as a National Historic Landmark to commemorate the meeting of French explorers and Dakota villagers in the 1600s. The designation also recognizes Kathio as the ancient homeland of the Mdewakanton Dakota nation and the historic homeland of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe nation. Learn more about this rich history as you explore the park.

#30 · Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Little Falls·5 trails

The park was created in 1931 when the family of Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr. donated 110 acres in his memory. His son, Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., flew the first trans-Atlantic solo flight. The Lindbergh house is now a historic site and the nearby Lindbergh Visitor Center showcases the lives and careers of three generations of Lindberghs. Today, the park contains 570 acres. Pike Creek meanders through its center and empties into the Mississippi River. These water resources, along with a diverse forest, offer you a variety of experiences. Fish, paddle, hike or discover the area’s rich history.

#31 · Camden State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Lynd·11 trails

Though Camden State Park was not established until 1935, it has long been a popular place for people to gather. The wooded valley provided shelter from the frequent winds and periodic fires that moved through the surrounding tallgrass prairie. The cold water springs within the river valley’s steep walls keep it cooler and more humid than the surrounding prairie. Moist soils and cooler temperatures allow the growth of one of the most westerly examples of a native sugar maple/basswood forest. The park’s diverse habitats also includes tallgrass prairie and wetland complexes. Amid the landscape, visitors will see original Veteran’s Conservation Corps buildings from the 1930s. Discover all the park has to offer as you hike miles of trails, bike, swim, fish and picnic.

#32 · Jay Cooke State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Carlton·12 trails

The park was established in 1915 with a donation of land from the St. Louis River Power Company. Today, the park protects nearly 9,000 acres of forests and streams that surround the water-eroded gorge, steep valleys and rock formations of the St. Louis River, Lake Superior’s largest tributary in the United States. Millions of years of dramatic geologic events, including volcanic activity, glaciation and plate tectonics, formed the unique rock you experience here. The area also has a rich human history. Dakota and Ojibwe Indians, French fur-traders, railways, hydropower companies, and the Civilian Conservation Corps all left impressions you may notice as you explore. The stunning landscape hosts a healthy ecosystem. Walk quietly, listen and look, and you may find some of the diverse wildlife that rely on the park’s varied habitat. Watch for white-tailed deer, black bears, timber wolves, an abundance of birds, and more.

#33 · Crow Wing State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Brainerd·6 trails

Crow Wing State Park lies at the confluence of the Crow Wing and Mississippi rivers, which have been important canoe and trade routes for many people over time. In the mid-1800s, a bustling community existed here. Discover evidence of the park’s past by visiting the Old Crow Wing Town Site and Red River Oxcart Trail, both Historic Districts on the National Register of Historic Places. The park was in 1959 to preserve these significant pieces of Minnesota’s history. The 3,119-acre park also has a rich natural history with three of Minnesota’s major landscapes (pine, prairie and hardwood) containing diverse plants and wildlife.

#34 · Blue Mounds State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Luverne·11 trails

Blue Mounds State Park protects sheer quartzite cliffs and over 1,500 acres of highly diverse prairie. Here you have the opportunity to see more rare prairie species than in any other park in southwestern Minnesota. Management programs restore native grasses and wildflowers, resulting in a panorama of prairie colors in late summer. Amid this rich landscape, you may also spot bison. The herd you see today began with the introduction of three bison from Nebraska in 1961. New calves are born each spring.

#35 · Glacial Lakes State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Starbuck·9 trails

Glacial Lakes State Park was established in 1963 to preserve the area’s rolling prairies, high-quality habitat, and rich plant life. The park also protects special glacial landforms such as kames (cone-shaped hills), kettles (water-filled depressions), and glacial erratics (large boulders left by the glaciers). Glaciers also left behind glacial till (dirt and gravel) that formed the area’s hills and steep rolling terrain. Wildflowers and prairie grasses blanket the landscape from spring through fall. Visit the park and explore all the grasslands have to offer.

#36 · Lac qui Parle State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Watson·3 trails

The park was created in 1941 to offer recreation along Lac qui Parle Lake. It started as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project for flood control along the Minnesota River. The WPA workers also built three, unique stone and timber buildings that you can still find on the west side of the lake. The lake's name is a French translation of the name the Dakota people gave it, "lake that speaks." If you visit in the spring, thousands of migratory waterfowl stop at the lake, adding a chorus of honking and quacking. Visit the park to experience the migration, paddle the lake, cast a line for fish, trek the trails or visit a historic site.

#37 · Lake Carlos State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Alexandria·12 trails

Established in 1937, the park holds 1,154 acres with rolling hardwood forests, prairie meadows, wetlands and over a mile of lakeshore. Visit the park to swim, fish, boat, hike, camp or horseback ride. Enjoy Lake Carlos by swimming at the beach, walking along the shore, watching for wildlife, or angling for an abundance of gamefish. Lake Carlos is the largest and deepest in the Alexandria chain of lakes at 2,520 acres and up to 163 feet deep. The water, trails and great campsites make this a popular destination.

#38 · Gooseberry Falls State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Two Harbors·9 trails

Park trails wind through 1,700 acres of mixed evergreen, aspen and birch forests bordering Lake Superior. You can step along ancient lava flows eroded by water at the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. The land has a history of drawing people. Early explorers met native residents, fishermen made their living from the lake, logging transformed the landscape in the early 1900s, and tourism expanded in the 1920s. In 1933, the state authorized the preservation of this area and soon the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arrived to create Gooseberry Falls State Park. View the lasting legacy of these young men in the log and stone features they built here.

#39 · Schoolcraft State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Deer River·1 trail

Created in 1959, this 225-acre park is a wonderful place to escape. Quiet and peaceful, visitors have only the whisper of the wind through the pines to accompany their thoughts. Sit by the shore of the Mississippi River and watch the sunrise amid grasses, wild rice and beds of water lilies. The park was named for Henry Rowe Schoolcraft who charted the headwaters of the Mississippi River with Anishinabe guide Ozawindib. Today, there is much for you to discover here. Stay for a rustic camping experience, to fish the river, soak in scenic views, or wildlife watch.

#40 · Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Two Harbors·10 trails

Split Rock Lighthouse became a necessity in 1905 when a storm wrecked six ships within a dozen miles of the Split Rock River. The historic lighthouse sits on a 130-foot anorthosite cliff pushed up by magma within the Midcontinent Rift over a billion years ago. The combination creates a stunning setting that visitors come from around the world to see. The Minnesota Historical Society manages the Lighthouse Historic Site and the state park manages 2,200 acres around it. Visit and explore Shipwreck Creek Campground, the cart-in campground, rugged trails, Lake Superior shoreline and Split Rock River.

#41 · Glendalough State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Battle Lake·10 trails

For over sixty years, the Glendalough property was owned by the Minneapolis Tribune as a private retreat and game farm. This resulted in the preservation of hundreds of acres of land and miles of undeveloped shoreline on five lakes. During its heyday, the Glendalough Lodge on pristine Annie Battle Lake hosted executives, politicians, and dignitaries, including two future U.S. presidents. Glendalough, meaning “the glen between two lakes,” was named by Tribune owner F.E. Murphy and his wife who were of Irish descent. Glendalough became a state park in 1991.

#42 · Tettegouche State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Silver Bay·19 trails

Step into the park and view the rushing waters of the Baptism River as they cleave a 1.1-billion-year-old, rugged rhyolite ridge that rises over the Lake Superior shoreline. Hike to waterfalls surrounded by high cliffs that are the result of the water’s work upon the rock. See where the Baptism River spills into Lake Superior and adds its water to the world’s largest freshwater lake. The park’s semi-mountainous terrain offers you numerous overlooks of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscape. This unique area was protected as a state park in 1979. In the heart of the park, on the shores of Mic Mac Lake, Tettegouche Camp was built over a hundred years ago. You can rent any of the four original, rustic log cabins for an overnight stay or use the lodge, built in 1911, for a unique picnicking site (hike-in only). Experience the quiet Northwoods wonder that has captivated humans through the centuries.

#43 · McCarthy Beach State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Side Lake·5 trails

McCarthy Beach State Park’s hilly landscape and lakes have long made it a popular destination. Its pothole lakes were made during the retreat of the last continental glacier 12,000 years ago. The glacier left behind large chunks of ice. The depressions they created filled with water, forming lakes. Many years later, "McCarthy’s beach" became a popular picnic and swimming spot for families along the Mesabi Iron Range. In 1945, the park was established as a living memorial to area servicemen that lost their lives in World War II. Named for former owner John A. McCarthy, the park protects a northern boreal forest with red and white pine, leatherleaf-black spruce lowlands, birch and aspen. More than 175 species of birds visit the area and visitors are treated to sights of loons gliding on the lakes and great blue herons stalking small fish in the shallows.

#44 · George Crosby Manitou State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Silver Bay·6 trails

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a unique wilderness state park. The rugged landscape and remote hike-in campsites allow backpackers to get away from the crowds and into the wilds of northern Minnesota. Trails are carved through a forest of fir, cedar, spruce and northern hardwoods that are home to moose, deer, bear and wolves. The park’s non-motorized Benson Lake offers paddlers a Boundary Waters-like environment. Anglers can cast a line for trout (brown, rainbow and brook) and splake (a hybrid of brook and lake trout). The landscape became a state park when it was donated by George H. Crosby, a mining magnate, in 1955.

#45 · Scenic State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Bigfork·3 trails

Scenic State Park was created in 1921 to protect virgin pines along the shores of Coon-Sandwick Lake. Residents of the Bigfork area played a key role in its establishment. Visit today and swim, boat or fish for walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish. The lakes are water-filled depressions left over from old Glacial Lake Agassiz. Explore the land by hiking beneath abundant aspen, birch, mixed hardwoods and white, red and jack pines. The park will charm you with its quiet, wilderness-like setting.

#46 · Maplewood State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Pelican Rapids·10 trails

Maplewood State Park was created in 1963 to protect the area’s unique natural and cultural resources. The 9,200-acre park sits between the state’s eastern forests and western prairies. Each autumn, its diverse landscapes share a stunning display of brilliant reds, oranges and gold. A look beneath the rich forests and prairie restoration sites reveals hills left behind during the last ice age. The highest hills in the park approach 1,600 feet. Changes in elevation, numerous lakes and ponds, and a mix of forest and prairie offer you a spectacular setting for canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, camping and more during your stay.

#47 · Bear Head Lake State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Ely·6 trails

Experience an “Up North, Boundary Waters feel” as you hike, camp, fish and recreate in the park’s more than 4,000 acres. The lakes, hills and rocky landscape you’ll explore were shaped by glaciers. Walk beneath large pines that avoided heavy logging as early as 1895, a time when they were too small to be cut. Glimpse a variety of wildlife including black bears, grey wolves, white-tailed deer, pine marten, otters and moose. Visit in winter to ski, snowshoe, snowmobile or cozy up in one of the reservable cabins or guesthouse. The park was created in 1961 as a place for visitors to enjoy year-round. In 2010, it won the America’s Favorite Park contest.

#48 · Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Soudan·6 trails

In 2014, the state legislature combined two neighboring parks to create Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. This new park offers both the beauty of the Lake Vermilion shoreline and the one-of-a-kind experience of touring the Soudan Underground Mine. At 40,557 acres, Lake Vermilion is the fifth largest lake located entirely within the borders of Minnesota. The nearby mine is a National Historic Landmark that highlights a mining history reaching back over 4,000 years. The park offers 31 electric sites, 24 sites designed for OHV users, 3 group camp sites, a rental house, 8 camper cabins and a day-use area.

#49 · Itasca State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Park Rapids·24 trails

Lake Itasca ( eye-TASS-kə) is a small glacial lake, approximately 4.7 square kilometres (470 hectares; 1,200 acres) in area. It is located in Itasca State Park, in south-eastern Clearwater County, in the Headwaters area of north-central Minnesota, and is notable for being the headwater of the Mississippi River.

#50 · Temperance River State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Schroeder·8 trails

This 1.1 billion year-old landscape became a state park in 1957, but visitors have been attracted by its scenery for far longer. The rugged terrain is cleft by the Temperance River Gorge, a crack in the earth that the river rushes through on its way to Lake Superior. See and feel the power of the world’s largest freshwater lake at the beach and picnic area at the mouth of the river. Over 1,000 feet above the lake, Carlton Peak offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Visit the park for miles of trails, designated trout streams, or camping.

#51 · Lake Bemidji State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Bemidji·8 trails

This impressive landscape, protected as a park in 1923, is the result of the last stage of glaciation in Minnesota. Many of the swamps and bogs formed when chunks of ice separated from the receding glacier and left depressions that later filled with water. This place has drawn many people. American Indian tribes have lived, fished and hunted around Lake Bemidji for generations. More recently, pioneer loggers harvested the area’s white and red pines. Visit today and enjoy the park’s unique combination of recreation and natural experiences.

#52 · Cascade River State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Grand Marais·15 trails

The Cascade River plunges 120 feet through a deep, twisting gorge on its 17-mile journey to meet Lake Superior. The result is a spectacular series of cascades for which the river was named. Stand at one of the viewing spots above the river to feel the vibration of the rushing water as it cuts through ancient basalt lava flows. Smaller water features like Spruce, Indian Camp, and Cutface creeks also move through the park. Trails wind from Lake Superior up to the Sawtooth Mountains with their panoramic view of the North Shore. Pass through the boreal hardwood-conifer forest of aspen, birch, fir, spruce and cedar. You may glimpse moose, wolves, pine martens, bears or numerous birds. Many of the trails and facilities that you see in the park were built by men stationed here at a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s. Cascade River State Park was established in 1957 so that future generations could experience these unique natural and historic features.

#53 · Buffalo River State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Glyndon·10 trails

#54 · Big Bog State Recreation Area Northern Unit

0.0(0)·Park·Waskish·6 trails

Big Bog State Recreation Area was established in 2000. It was the result of a grassroots effort to create a sustainable tourist attraction in Waskish, whose economy was devastated when the Red Lake walleye population crashed in the 1990s. The recreation area includes a northern unit and a southern unit totaling 9,121 acres. A 500-square-mile peat bog, the largest in the lower 48 states, is located in the northern unit. The southern unit includes a visitor center, fire tower, campground, winterized camper cabins, a sandy beach and great fishing.

#55 · Grand Portage State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Grand Portage·4 trails

Here you can experience a unique sense of place through a partnership between the State of Minnesota and the Anishinabe people of Grand Portage. Established in 1989, Grand Portage is not only a state park but a Class 1 Highway Rest Area and Explore Minnesota Travel Information Center. Hike six miles of trails with two beautiful waterfalls and ridgetop overlooks of Lake Superior and the Pigeon River Valley. The river forms the northern boundary of the park and is the international boundary line between the United States and Canada. The main attraction is High Falls, the tallest waterfall in Minnesota with a drop of 120 feet. The spectacular scenery sets the stage for recreational opportunities such as hiking, snowshoeing, photography and picnicking

#56 · Hayes Lake State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Roseau·6 trails

Hayes Lake State Park was created in 1967 to offer recreational opportunities in a wilderness setting. Since the region has few lakes, one of the first developments was to create Hayes Lake by impounding the north fork of the Roseau River. The lake is now home to abundant wildlife. The land around the lake was once a collection of private homesteads that has been returned to forest. Visit the park and experience fishing, paddling, swimming, birdwatching, stepping onto a bog walk, camping and much more.

#57 · Old Mill State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Argyle·5 trails

Old Mill State Park is a small Minnesota state park on the Middle River between Argyle and Newfolden on an ancient beach of glacial Lake Agassiz in Marshall County in the northwestern part of the state. It is a 406-acre (164 ha) park.

#58 · Lake Bronson State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Lake Bronson·8 trails

Lake Bronson State Park came to exist as the result of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. Workers built a dam and several buildings before the land was given to the state in 1937. Long before that, the area was used by American Indians living on the shores of glacial Lake Agassiz. Pioneers later homesteaded the region. These uses have created a park rich in cultural resources that you might experience during your stay: Arvilla artifacts, pioneer cemeteries and homesteads, and WPA buildings, campsites and the dam.

#59 · Bill Noble Park

0.0(0)·Park·Gardendale

Bill Noble Park is a state-of-the-art, 40-acre sports and recreation complex located in Gardendale, Alabama (just north of Birmingham). Following a major $32 million redevelopment, the park reopened in March 2023 and serves as both a daily community hub and a premier regional tournament venue.

#60 · John Martin Reservoir State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Hasty·1 trail

Point Campground at John Martin Reservoir State Park is an open-air, basic dry-camping area located on a ridge along the reservoir's north shore in Hasty, Colorado. Overlooking the water and vast prairie landscape, it offers 104 primitive campsites without electricity, water, or shade, but equipped with individual picnic tables and fire rings. Visitors have direct access to vault toilets on-site, as well as nearby amenities like coin-operated showers, laundry, and a dump station at the Lake Hasty area. The campground connects to the 4.5-mile Red Shin Hiking Trail and historic Santa Fe Trail sites, making it an ideal base for birdwatching, boating, and fishing. Vehicle park passes and advance campsite reservations are required year-round.

#61 · Cherry Creek State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Aurora·18 trails

Cherry Creek State Park is a 4,200-acre recreation area in the Denver metropolitan area centered around an approximately 850-acre reservoir. The park offers boating, fishing, camping, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, picnicking, nature study, and winter recreation. The park has an extensive multi-use trail system, including trails such as Cherry Creek, 12 Mile, Cottonwood Creek, Parker Road, Railroad Bed, Smoky Hill, Wetland Loop, and Windmill Creek Loop. Facilities include boat ramps, a marina, campground, swim beach, picnic areas, restrooms, parking, a model airfield, shooting center, horse stable, boat decontamination station, and a dog off-leash area. The park also provides accessible facilities at fishing areas, the campground, swim beach, and group picnic sites.

#62 · Lory State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Bellvue·17 trails

Lory State Park is a 2,400+ acre state park located in Bellvue, Colorado, west of Fort Collins along the shores of Horsetooth Reservoir. It offers nearly 20 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and horseback riding, including the famous Arthur's Rock Trail. Park amenities include a dedicated mountain bike park with a pump track and skills course, five scenic picnic areas, rock climbing/bouldering, water access to reservoir coves for paddle sports, and primitive backcountry camping.

#63 · Chatfield State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Littleton·22 trails

Chatfield State Park is a popular 5,600-acre outdoor destination centered around the 1,500-acre Chatfield Reservoir along the South Platte River. The park features over 26 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and winter cross-country skiing. Key highlights include a 197-site campsite with full and electric RV hookups, a 69-acre Dog Off-Leash Area, a seasonal swim beach, a full-service marina with boat rentals, stable rentals, an accessible fishing pier, a model airplane airfield, and a hot air balloon launch site.

#64 · Eldorado Canyon State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Eldorado Springs·6 trails

Eldorado Canyon State Park is a renowned day-use state park known worldwide for its dramatic 1.6-billion-year-old sandstone and quartzite cliffs, making it a premier destination for rock climbers. Located along South Boulder Creek, the park offers hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, fishing, and bird watching. Popular trails include the Fowler Trail, Streamside Trail, Rattlesnake Gulch Trail (leading to the historical Crags Hotel ruins and views of the Continental Divide), and the Eldorado Canyon Trail, which connects to the Walker Ranch Loop. The park is strict day-use only with no camping, and timed vehicle entry reservations are enforced during summer weekends and holidays to manage traffic.

#65 · Lake Pueblo State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Pueblo·19 trails

Hidden in the foothills 20 minutes west of Fort Collins, Lory State Park offers 2,596 acres of diverse landscapes including sandstone hogbacks, grassy meadows, and ponderosa pine forests at 6,780 feet elevation. Facilities include an entrance Visitor Center with educational displays, restrooms, accessible picnic areas, five event facility zones, and 27 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Key highlights include Arthur's Rock, the Corral Mountain Bike Park, a public equestrian cross-country jump course, bouldering/rock climbing, and primitive hike-in backcountry camping.

#66 · Fishers Peak State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Trinidad·5 trails

Fishers Peak State Park is a 19,200-acre Colorado state park established in April 2020 as Colorado's 42nd state park. Its namesake, Fishers Peak, rises to approximately 9,633 feet. The park features rugged terrain, forests, meadows, diverse ecosystems, geological formations and significant wildlife habitat. The park connects grasslands to the east with foothills and mountains to the west and provides habitat for wildlife including elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain lions, black bears and raptors, as well as the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.

#67 · Ohiopyle State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Ohiopyle·19 trails

Ohiopyle State Park encompasses 20,633 acres at the southern reaches of Laurel Ridge and features the Youghiogheny River Gorge as its centerpiece. The park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing, picnicking, wildlife watching, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and whitewater boating. Major attractions include Ohiopyle Falls, Cucumber Falls, Meadow Run Natural Waterslides, Cascades, Sugar Run Falls, Ferncliff Natural Area, Baughman Rock, Tharp Knob, Sugarloaf Recreation Area, and the Great Allegheny Passage. The park has more than 80 miles of hiking trails, 27 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage, camping facilities at Kentuck Campground, picnic areas, visitor facilities, and ADA-accessible amenities.

#68 · Buckhorn Island State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Grand Island·5 trails

Buckhorn Island State Park is an 895-acre (3.62 km2) state park located in Erie County, New York in the Town of Grand Island. The park is on the northern end of the island of Grand Island.

#69 · Big Lagoon State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Pensacola·1 trail

First acquired in 1977, Big Lagoon State Park is a 705-acre (2.85 km2) Florida State Park located on the northwestern Florida coast, approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Pensacola on Gulf Beach Highway. It encompasses the northern boundary of Big Lagoon as it snakes toward Pensacola Bay to the east.

#70 · Steamboat & Pearl Lake State Parks

0.0(0)·Park·Clark·3 trails

Located in Routt County near Clark, Colorado, Steamboat Lake State Park and Pearl Lake State Park offer year-round outdoor recreation centered around scenic alpine reservoirs with views of Hahns Peak and Farwell Mountain. Steamboat Lake features a 1,100-acre reservoir with a full-service marina, swimming beach, motorized and non-motorized boating, over 190 campsites, and winter snowmobiling. Pearl Lake provides a peaceful retreat ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeless boating, cutthroat trout fishing, 36 tent/RV campsites, and cozy yurt rentals.

#71 · Elkhead Reservoir State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Craig·2 trails

Elkhead Reservoir State Park, located 10 miles northeast of Craig, spans 900 surface acres of water and 2,105 acres of rolling sagebrush prairie and scenic cliffs in northwest Colorado. The park offers popular outdoor activities including boating, water-skiing, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, fishing for warm-water species, hunting, and 10.5 miles of hiking/biking trails. During winter, visitors enjoy ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing for large herds of elk, deer, and pronghorn. Camping is available at Bear's Ears Campground (16 non-electric sites) and Pronghorn Campground (31 electric sites). All motorcraft undergo mandatory Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspections, and a valid Colorado State Parks pass is required for entry.

#72 · Rifle Falls State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Rifle·3 trails

Rifle Falls State Park is famous for its striking 70-foot triple waterfall, lush vegetation, and dark limestone caves. Located along Rifle Creek near Rifle, CO, the park features popular hiking routes including the Coyote Trail loop, which leads visitors to the base of the falls, into mysterious rock alcoves, and up to the top overlook. Facilities include 20 year-round drive-in and walk-in campsites, picnic areas, restrooms, and parking. It is an ideal spot for hiking, cave exploration, trout fishing, birding, and photography.

#73 · Rifle Gap State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Rifle·4 trails

Rifle Gap State Park is a 1,341-acre park located just north of Rifle, Colorado, centered around a scenic 360-acre reservoir. It is a premier destination for year-round outdoor recreation, including boating, jet skiing, water skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and windsurfing during warmer months. The reservoir is famous for fishing, supporting populations of walleye, rainbow and brown trout, northern pike, bass, and yellow perch, as well as winter ice fishing. The park offers 89 campsites across multiple campgrounds accommodating both tents and RVs, complete with basic facilities, picnic areas, and a visitor center. Positioned along the Grand Hogback and near BLM public lands, Rifle Gap serves as an ideal base for hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring nearby attractions like Rifle Falls State Park.

#74 · Ridgway State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Ridgway·4 trails

Nestled against the San Juan Mountains, Ridgway State Park centers around the scenic 5-mile Ridgway Reservoir along the Uncompahgre River. The park features three main recreation areas offering nearly 300 campsite and yurt rentals, a full-service marina for boating and water sports, a swim beach, and over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails. It is also a popular destination for year-round trout fishing and wildlife viewing.

#75 · Buttermilk Falls State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Ithaca·10 trails

Buttermilk Creek is a river located in Tompkins County, New York. It flows into Cayuga Inlet by Ithaca, New York.

#76 · Highline Lake State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Loma·5 trails

Highline Lake State Park is a Grand Valley recreation area with Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake, offering boating, fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, camping, picnicking and wildlife viewing. The park has approximately 9.6 miles of trails and is an important bird-watching area. The park's map includes trails such as Highline Lake Trail (3.3 mi), Mack Mesa Loop (1.2 mi), East Bluffs Loop (1.1 mi), Engle Loop (1.4 mi), Greasewood Flats Trail (1.1 mi), and Blue Heron Marsh Trail (0.6 mi).

#77 · Hickory Run State Park

0.0(0)·Park·White Haven·29 trails

Hickory Run State Park is a 15,990-acre (6,471 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Kidder and Penn Forest Townships in Carbon County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is spread across the Pocono Mountains. The park is easily accessible from Interstate 476 and Interstate 80.

#78 · Trexler Nature Preserve

0.0(0)·Park·Orefield·17 trails

Spanning nearly 1,500 acres across Lehigh County, the Trexler Nature Preserve is a scenic public park featuring diverse landscapes, including dense hemlock forests, deep ravines, meadows, and Schochary Ridge. Originally founded as a wildlife sanctuary by General Harry C. Trexler, the preserve offers over 10 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and bird-watching. Key highlights include the ADA-accessible Covered Bridge Trail, fishing access along Jordan Creek, and viewing areas for local elk and bison herds.

#79 · Van Cortlandt Park

0.0(0)·Park·New York City·21 trails

#80 · Bronx River Park

0.0(0)·Park·New York City·2 trails

The Bronx River () is a river approximately 24 miles (39 km) long, flowing through southeastern New York in the United States and draining an area of 38.4 square miles (99 km2). It is named after colonial settler Jonas Bronck.

#81 · Seton Falls Park

0.0(0)·Park·New York City·22 trails

Seton Falls Park is a 36-acre (15 ha) wooded area in the Edenwald area of The Bronx in New York City. The park is named after the Seton family (of which Elizabeth Ann Seton was a member), who owned the land in the 19th century. Seton Falls Park is located southeast of the intersection of East 233rd Street and Baychester Avenue.

#82 · Ferry Point Park

0.0(0)·Park·New York City·10 trails

Ferry Point Park is a 413.8-acre (167.5 ha) park in the Bronx, New York City. The park site is a peninsula projecting into the East River roughly opposite the College Point and Malba neighborhoods of Queens. The park is located on the eastern shore of Westchester Creek, adjacent to the neighborhood of Throggs Neck. The park is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

#83 · Pelham Bay Park Hiking Trails

0.0(0)·Park·New York City·29 trails

#84 · Highland Glen Park

0.0(0)·Park·Highland·1 trail

Highland is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Salt Lake City and is part of the Provo–Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2020 census, the population was 19,348, a nearly 25% increase over the 2010 figure of 15,523.

#85 · Beartown State Forest

0.0(0)·Park·Monterey·11 trails

Beartown State Forest is a publicly owned forest with recreational features located in the towns of Great Barrington, Monterey, Lee, and Tyringham, Massachusetts. The state forest's more than 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) include 198 acres (80 ha) of recreational parkland. It is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

#86 · Beartown State Forest

0.0(0)·Park·Monterey·10 trails

Beartown State Forest is a sprawling, 12,000-acre public recreation area located primarily in Monterey, Massachusetts, but extending into Great Barrington, Lee, and Tyringham. Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, this massive forest offers a year-round natural escape featuring the pristine, 35-acre Benedict Pond, an array of rugged trails (including a section of the iconic Appalachian Trail), and seasonal activities ranging from summer swimming to winter snowmobiling.

#87 · Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Uxbridge·5 trails

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park spans 1,000 acres along the historic Blackstone River valley in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The park features scenic walking and biking paths along the restored 19th-century canal towpath, river access for canoeing and kayaking, fishing spots, and visitor programs highlighting the region's rich industrial and natural history.

#88 · Ashland State Park

0.0(0)·Park·Ashland·6 trails

Ashland State Park is a public recreation area surrounding the 157-acre (64 ha) Ashland Reservoir in the town of Ashland, Massachusetts. The state park's 470 acres (190 ha) incorporate the entire shoreline of the reservoir, which is abutted by the Warren Conference Center and Inn of Framingham State University, town-owned land once the site of Camp Winnetaska (a Girl Scouts camp), and residential houses.

#89 · Papago Park in Tempe

0.0(0)·Park·Tempe

Papago Park in Tempe is a 296-acre urban desert preserve located at 1000 N College Ave. This scenic park features low-elevation hiking and biking trails, desert landscapes, and massive red sandstone buttes. Key facilities include a seven-acre stocked fishing lake, a desert-themed youth playground, three reservable picnic ramadas with charcoal grills, a dedicated off-leash dog park, and lighted athletic fields for baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball. Key highlights include immediate, seamless access to the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock geological formation, the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, and the Arizona Heritage Center.

#90 · Kiwanis Park

0.0(0)·Park·Tempe

Kiwanis Park is a premier 125-acre regional park featuring a 12-acre urban lake for fishing and pedal boat rentals. Key facilities include the Kiwanis Recreation Center—home to an indoor wave pool, a fitness center, and a gymnasium—alongside 15 lighted tennis courts, covered pickleball and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and batting cages. Visitors can also enjoy walking and biking trails, a dog park, multi-generation playgrounds, a 5,000-square-foot seasonal splash pad called "The Cloud," and multiple shaded picnic ramadas available for reservation.

#91 · Bradley Palmer State Park

0.0(0)·Park·South Hamilton·4 trails

Bradley Palmer State Park is a public recreation area covering 736 acres (298 ha) on the Ipswich River in the towns of Hamilton and Topsfield, Massachusetts. The state park was once the estate of noted attorney Bradley Palmer. In addition to an extensive system of multi-use trails, the park features Palmer's restored Willowdale Mansion. The mansion is now home to Willowdale Estate, a premier event venue.

#92 · Salem Haunted Happenings

0.0(0)·Park·Salem·8 trails

Salem Common Historic District is a historic district bounded roughly by Bridge, Derby, and St. Peter's streets, as well as Collins Cove in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. The Common was established in 1667, and during this period it was partially a swamp. Until 1802, there was no enclosing fence, allowing livestock to freely roam across it. In 1802 a subscription was put forth to beautify the park.

#93 · Salem Haunted Happenings Retreat

0.0(0)·Park·Salem·5 trails

The Salem Laundry is a historic laundry building at 55 Lafayette Street in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Salem Landry". The building was erected in 1906 and is the first concrete building to be constructed in Salem. The four-story building is divided into three wide bays, with the central bay projecting slightly.

#94 · Apple Park

0.0(0)·Park·Riverdale·1 trail

Apple Park, also known as Apple Campus 2, is the corporate headquarters of Apple Inc., located in Cupertino, California, United States. It was opened to employees in April 2017, while construction was still underway. It replaced Apple Campus as the company's corporate headquarters. The main building's scale and circular groundscraper design, by Norman Foster, has earned the structure the media nickname "the spaceship". Located on a suburban site totaling 1.

#95 · NRPA Annual Conference - 2026

0.0(0)·Expo/Exhibition·Philadelphia