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Your ideal state park is waiting for you and we’re here to help you find it. Think of this as your nature dating profile, Minnesota-style. Once a park catches your eye, you can put your match to the test on November 28 for Free Park Friday (if you can wait that long for love), where all state park entry fees are waived. Pull out your “must-haves” and “deal-breaker” lists — it’s time to pick your perfect park match.
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for the tramper
The Mississippi River is one of Minnesota's most beloved and impressive natural wonders. Its most awe-inspiring stretch is best viewed from the 500-foot-tall bluffs at Great River Bluffs State Park near Winona. The park has four trails overlooking the north, south, east, and King's Bluff, offering panoramic vistas of the river and valley.
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for the adventurer
Did you know Minnesota has caves? Near the charming town of Preston, Mystery Cave State Park is about a 10-minute drive from the park office. It was discovered in 1937 and is the longest cave in Minnesota, over 13 miles underground. The one-hour Scenic Tour will provide opportunities to see stalactites, stalagmites, a turquoise lake and more. These guided tours, both wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly, are offered daily throughout the summer and on weekends in spring and fall.
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for the historian
Established in 1891, Itasca State Park is the oldest Minnesota State Park and home to the Mississippi Headwaters, where America's most legendary river begins its 2,552-mile journey south. Visiting the birthplace of the Mississippi River is undoubtedly the main attraction at Itasca, but it's far from the only thing to do at this incredible 32,000-acre state park.
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for the rock collector
The Agate Geological Interpretive Center at Moose Lake State Park is dedicated to agates, the state’s gemstone. Agates are the multicolored chalcedony and quartz masterpieces that are surprisingly common in the region. The park is covered by glacial till and outwash deposits from the last glacier. The large ice blocks melted after the glacier retreated and created Moosehead and Echo Lakes within the park.Â
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for the homesteader
Just a few miles outside Marshall, you’ll find some fantastic hiking at Camden State Park. The park is centered on the Redwood River and has a healthy mix of woods and prairies with 15 miles of hiking trails, including a stunning view from the top of the park’s moraines (hills left by the glaciers). You can also explore the park’s “Coteau des Prairies,” or highland prairies, as French explorers once called them. 
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CLICK-WORTHY SPONSORED CONTENT
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from top to bottom: Great River Bluffs State Park in Winona, photo by Zane Spang | Afton State Park in Hastings, photo by Erica Wacker | Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in Nerstrand, photo by Kylie W. | Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay, photo by Ryan Taylor | Great River Bluffs State Park in Winona, photo by Erica Wacker | Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park in Preston, photo by Minnesota DNR | Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, photo by Paul Vincent | Moose Lake Agate Center in Moose Lake State Park, photo by Andrew Parks | Camden State Park in Lynd, photo by Jessica Brouillette
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This article has been edited for length and clarity.
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