The word minneopa comes from the dakota language and is interpreted to mean "water falling twice," referring to the beautiful waterfalls of the minneopa creek. walk the trail which encircles the falls, leading down a limestone stairway to the valley below. ascend the opposite side and enjoy a panoramic view of the valley which reveals the underlying geology of this area. visit seppmann mill, a wind driven grist mill fashioned in german style from native stone and lumber, or hike through oak savanna and native prairie grasslands overlooking the scenic minnesota river valley.

Just minutes from the twin cities, this state recreation area preserves part of the minnesota river valley. the multi-use minnesota valley trail parallels the minnesota river. the section of trail from shakopee to chaska is paved and a natural surface trail runs from chaska to belle plaine. the area is ideal for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling and camping in one of the many rustic campsites. the landscapes are just as diverse as the trail system and include wetlands, floodplain forest and blufftop oak savanna. wildlife observation and birdwatching are popular activities year-round.

Cast your line for walleye, northerns, bass, and sunfish in monson lake. birdwatchers look for white pelicans, herons, western grebes, and songbirds in this 187-acre park with a diverse landscape of wetlands and hardwood forests. the park includes a quiet campground and wooded picnic area. paddle the lake and take a short portage that leads from monson lake to west sunburg lake.

Rolling hills surrounded by fields, woods, ponds and fishing lakes make this park popular for hikers, anglers, canoeists, swimmers and campers. quiet echo lake is ideal for catching bass, northerns and panfish. the willard munger trail is located two miles west of the park. the trail stretches for 60 miles from hinckley to west duluth.

This park has something for everyone. the trails take visitors around wet lowlands, oak savanna, and grasslands. albert lea lake and park marshes draw hundreds of waterfowl during migration. oak savanna and prairie landscape, including wetlands, dominate most of the park. one of the more unique aspects of the park is the 116-acre big island, covered with maple/basswood forest. another is the glacial esker located in the northeast section of the park.

Visit forestville/mystery cave state park to see natural wonders above and below ground. in the summer, beat the heat with a visit below ground. explore the world of mystery cave with its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools. park naturalists provide tours of the cave throughout the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. the temperature stays at a constant 48 degrees fahrenheit.

Enjoy this park on foot, any season of the year. in the spring, the park is a wildflower garden where hepatica, bloodroot, dutchman's breeches, and the dwarf trout lily bloom. the dwarf trout lily is only found here. relax by hidden falls in the summer. the autumn brings a burst of red, orange, and gold in the maple-basswood forest, one of the last extensive stands of the "big woods." when winter comes, ski or snowmobile the trails through picturesque woods.

A log cabin and a steam-powered flour mill at old mill state park are bold landmarks from the past. the grist mill still gets fired up once a year to grind flour.

The creation of the red river state recreation area was a grass roots effort that came about as a result of the flood of 1997 that devastated the communities of east grand forks, mn and grand forks, nd. after the u.s. army corps of engineers redrew the floodplain, the federal emergency management agency bought 500 homes and other buildings in east grand forks along the red and red lake rivers.

Long ago, american indians harvested wild rice from this lake where today, the shallow waters and marshy edges of rice lake attract many waterfowl during migrations. rice lake is a major wetland in the area. visitors enjoy camping under the tall hardwoods, photographing spring wildflowers, picnicking, and birdwatching. for a more secluded camping experience, paddle across the lake and camp in a canoe campsite. winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobiling on the trails.

Sakatah singing hills state trail runs through sakatah lake state park and stretches 39 miles from mankato to faribault. the paved trail offers hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowmobilers beautiful scenery through minnesota's hardwoods. sakatah lake, a natural widening of the cannon river, lures canoeists to paddle the calm waters, and anglers to catch walleye, large mouth and white bass, northern pike, and panfish. whatever the season, visitors enjoy camping and picnicking.

Time slips by when you visit this park of the north. walk the savanna portage trail, a historic trail traveled by fur traders, dakota and ojibwe indians, and explorers more than 200 years ago. savanna portage state park has 15,818 acres of rolling hills, lakes, and bogs. the continental divide marks the great division of water: water to the west flows into the mississippi river; water to the east runs into lake superior. visitors can hike the continental divide trail and see forested vistas. during the summer, visitors enjoy swimming at loon lake. bike enthusiasts can pedal on roads, or on dirt trails designated for mountain bikes. with four fishing lakes and a river, its common for anglers to catch panfish, trout and bass. come winter, this park offers snowmobilers approximately 32 miles of trails to explore. this park is a favorite among cross-country skiers too, with 14 miles of trails, and an additional 6.4 miles available at remote solitude, 1 mile south of the park.

With its pristine lakes, virgin pines, swimming beach, and wilderness-like setting, scenic state park is well deserving of its name. here, visitors can hike the chase point trail for hypnotic views of coon and sandwick lakes and listen to the wind whistle through the giant pines. the park's overnight facilities include campsites (boat-in, drive-in, backpack), and a cabin. the historic lodge houses interpretive displays.

Quiet and peaceful, the trail system leads hikers through the virgin pine forest that includes a white pine more than 300 years old. Canoeists and anglers enjoy the gentle waters of the Mississippi River. A boat access, picnic area, canoe and drive-in campsites are available to visitors

There is something for everyone at this popular west-central minnesota state park. hike to mount tom, one of several high points in a 50-mile radius, and see a patchwork of forest, farmland, prairie knolls, and lakes. summer visitors enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing on lake andrew. a canoe route invites adventurers to portage and canoe on henschien lake and swan lake. the park offers campgrounds, a modern group center, horseback camps, picnic area, and interpretive programs year-around.

This park is home to minnesota's oldest iron ore mine, where visitors can learn about how mining shaped the history and culture of the iron range. explore the dry house, drill shop, crusher house and engine house, and take the boardwalk past one of the deepest open mine pits. don't miss the hiking trails that take you through a northern hardwood conifer forest, past the famous soudan iron formation! underground mine tours are not available at this time, due to ongoing repair work from the spring 2011 shaft fire.

Swim, fish, or boat the waters of split rock lake, the largest body of water in pipestone county. the lake is the predominant feature of this park. stop by the beach side trail center for an excellent vista and to discover more about the area. seven miles north of the park is the famous pipestone national monument.

This park is situated on the north shore of lake superior. perhaps best known for its historic lighthouse, this park offers numerous recreational opportunities. visitors can cart-in their supplies to pristine campsites along lake superior. scenic trails along the lake link up to the spectacular superior hiking trail. anglers cast their lines for lake trout, salmon, and brown trout. the rocky beach is perfect for skipping stones into lake superior.

Plan an extended visit to st. croix. with over 34,000 acres and two great rivers—the saint croix river, which is a national scenic riverway, and the kettle river, a state wild and scenic river—there's so much to do. explore the rivers by canoe or with a fishing pole. swim at lake clayton or climb a fire tower.

Take the trail that winds along the edge of the temperance river gorge and enjoy the rushing waterfalls surrounded by pine, spruce, cedar and birch forests. the rapidly flowing river has cut deep potholes in and along the riverbed. hike the trail to hidden falls or connect up with trails into the superior national forest and the cross river wayside. visitors come to camp and picnic along the shore of lake superior. winter brings cross-country skiers and snowmobilers to tackle the hilly terrain. carlton peak, a recent addition to the park, is popular with rock climbers and offers even more recreational opportunities to park visitors.

Come to tettegouche for a great sense of the north shore: the spectacular overlooks at shovel point; rocky, steep cliffs and inland bluffs; the cascading 60 ft. high falls of the baptism river; and the historic tettegouche camp where visitors can stay the night.

Upper sioux agency state park contains the site of the upper sioux or yellow medicine agency. the park was established in 1963 to preserve and interpret the remains of the old agency site. the park covers 1,280 acres and offers diversity: open prairie knolls, bluffs, and cool, wooded slopes. from the vistas, visitors enjoy the trails which are ideal for horseback riding, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling. the park also offers a huge sliding hill for winter fun.

Picturesque limestone bluffs and deep ravines make whitewater a very popular southeastern state park. the 2,700 acre park is an angler's paradise with brown, brook, and rainbow trout swimming in the spring-fed whitewater river and trout run creek. visitors enjoy a sandy swimming beach, a year-round visitor center, easy-to-challenging hiking trails, camping, a group camp, and a modern group center. come in the winter to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and stay at the group center in rustic, winterized cabins. all through the year, discover the natural and human history of the area at one of the many interpretive programs, visitor center exhibits or self-guided trails.

Wild river state park is located along 18 miles of the beautiful st. croix river. the park attracts people who enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, interpretive programs, self-guided trails, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. day visitors can enjoy a leisurely paddle down the st. croix river from the sunrise river access to the southern park river access.

A great "get away" park only one hour from the twin cities, william o'brien provides a beautiful setting for quality recreation along the banks of the st. croix river. hiking trails offer quiet exploration of the park's rolling, wooded hills. for anglers, the channels of the st. croix have northerns, walleye, bass and trout. ideal for canoeing, the river is also a migratory pathway that offers visitors an exciting diversity of sights and sounds. in the winter, snowshoeing, skiing and camping attract enthusiasts.