Explore Minnesota State Parks

Minnesota Vehicle Permit

Parks by Region

North Shore (Lake Superior)

Minnesota’s most iconic parks along the rugged Lake Superior shoreline.

• Gooseberry Falls State Park — Five waterfalls on the Gooseberry River, Minnesota’s most visited park
• Tettegouche State Park — 60-foot High Falls, Shovel Point cliffs, and inland lakes
• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park — Historic lighthouse with dramatic lake views
• Cascade River State Park — Cascading waterfalls through volcanic rock gorge
• Judge C.R. Magney State Park — Devil’s Kettle mystery waterfall
• George H. Crosby Manitou State Park — Backpack-only wilderness camping

Boundary Waters & Northern Minnesota

Boreal forest, remote lakes, and the Canadian border wilderness.

• Itasca State Park — Headwaters of the Mississippi River, step across the source
• Scenic State Park — Old-growth red pine forest on Coon Lake
• Lake Bemidji State Park — Bog boardwalk and lake shore trails
• Big Bog State Recreation Area — Largest peat bog in the lower 48

Metro Area & Central Minnesota

Accessible parks near Minneapolis–St. Paul.

• Fort Snelling State Park — Confluence of Mississippi and Minnesota rivers
• Afton State Park — St. Croix River bluffs with prairie and forest trails
• William O’Brien State Park — St. Croix River swimming and camping
• Interstate State Park — Glacial potholes along the Dalles of the St. Croix

Southern Minnesota Blufflands

Mississippi River bluffs and prairie grasslands.

• Forestville Mystery Cave State Park — Underground cave tours with stalactites
• Great River Bluffs State Park — 500-foot bluffs overlooking the Mississippi
• Whitewater State Park — Limestone bluffs with trout streams
• Blue Mounds State Park — Bison herd and Sioux quartzite cliff line

Western Prairies

Tallgrass prairie, glacial lakes, and bison country.

• Buffalo River State Park — Virgin tallgrass prairie ecosystem
• Glacial Lakes State Park — Rolling glacial terrain with lakes and prairie
• Lake Shetek State Park — Minnesota’s largest lake in the southwest

Best Parks by Activity

Best for Hiking

• Tettegouche — Shovel Point, High Falls, and Superior Hiking Trail
• Itasca — 33+ miles including the Headwaters Trail
• Blue Mounds — Prairie and cliff-top trails with bison views

Best for Camping

• Gooseberry Falls — Campground steps from waterfalls and Lake Superior
• Whitewater — Riverside camping in limestone bluff country
• Itasca — Historic cabin area and lakefront camping

Best for Winter Sports

• Gooseberry Falls — Cross-country skiing along frozen waterfalls
• Afton — Groomed ski trails near the Twin Cities
• Itasca — Snowshoeing and skiing through old-growth pines

Best for Families

• Itasca — Walk across the Mississippi headwaters
• Fort Snelling — Easy trails with river views near the cities
• Interstate — Glacial potholes with swimming beach

When to Visit

FAQs

How much is a Minnesota state park vehicle permit?

$35 for an annual permit, $7 for a daily permit. The annual permit is valid for 12 months.

What is Minnesota’s most popular state park?

Gooseberry Falls State Park is Minnesota’s most visited park, drawing visitors for its five waterfalls on the North Shore.

Can I walk across the Mississippi headwaters?

Yes! At Itasca State Park you can step across the Mississippi River’s modest beginnings at Lake Itasca.

Are Minnesota state parks open in winter?

Yes, most parks are open year-round with winter activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

Waterfalls, prairies, and 10,000 lakes — explore Minnesota’s 64 state parks.