Minnesota, the land of 10,000+ lakes (11,842 of them), is also home to 75 state parks and recreational areas. And the state offers four free entrance days to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas every year. Visiting a state park is one of the best free things to do in Minnesota. Note that admission to MN state parks is free – any other fees associated with special tours, camping, activities, etc. are not included.
Free admission is now available to every Minnesota state park every day for Minnesota state tribal members. Many Minnesota state parks are home to sacred Native American sacred sites. Previously, tribal members could visit designated state parks with sacred sites; however, to improve tribal relationships with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), legislation passed to provide open admission to all Minnesota tribal nations beginning in 2022. Long overdue.
My travel blogger friend Wendy with Perth Travelers (Australia adventures), inspired me to include this sentiment. I would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners, first people, and tribal nations of these lands. As we visit Minnesota state parks, let’s pay respect to the elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and hopes of their tribal nations.
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The best Minnesota state parks to visit on free parks day
I hiked/explored all 66 state parks as part of my Minnesota State Park challenge (there are also 9 Minnesota state recreation areas). So which are the best state parks to visit, hike, snowshoe, horseback ride, kayak, canoe, picnic on the Minnesota free park days?
All of them.
Now that I have explored all of the most beautiful Minnesota state parks, I must confess that I have not met a state park I hiked that I didn’t like.
The free entrance days event is a great opportunity for you to meet your favorite Minnesota state park. And it’s one of the best free things to do in Minnesota. Know what else is the best free thing to do in Minnesota? Visiting a sunflower field in the summer is one of the best free things to do in Minnesota.
When are the free entrance days to Minnesota state parks in 2023?
Here are the 2024 dates for the four free state park days in MN – best free things to do in Minnesota. Check the individual Minnesota state park’s website for hours and special announcements.
- Mon., Jan. 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- Sat., April 27, 2024
- Sat., June 8, 2024
- Fri., Nov. 29, 2024
How much does a Minnesota state park pass cost?
Best almost-free things to do in Minnesota. An annual pass to Minnesota state parks is very affordable – only $35 a year with discounts for multiple vehicles ($26 and expire same month as first vehicle) and $30 a year for motorcycles. And daily passes are only $7 per vehicle or $5 per motorcycle (with unlimited park visits on the same day). Check the Minnesota DNR website for the most up-to-date costs.
Top-ranked Minnesota state parks to visit on free park days
So when people ask me to name my favorite Minnesota state parks, it’s a challenge as they each have their own personality and their own special something. I’ve now hiked/explored all 66 Minnesota state parks (the 9 Minnesota state recreation areas are up next) on my Minnesota state parks challenge. I am in the process of creating and publishing a local’s guide with reviews of all Minnesota state parks, and will include what I love about each one.
Special discount! Sign-up for kmf’s local guide to Minnesota state parks
If you’d like to order a copy at a special discount, please sign up for my email list. I will email you details when my local’s guide to the best Minnesota state parks is published.
Until then, here is my list of some of the top Minnesota state parks that I recommend as the best things to do for free in Minnesota on one of the four Free Park Days. Honestly, I recommend all of them. My guide will include special Top 10 lists: Best Minnesota State Park Hiking Trails, Best Minnesota State Park Waterfalls, Best Minnesota State Park Lakes, Best Minnesota State Park Winter Hikes, Best Frozen Waterfall State Park Hikes in Minnesota, etc.
Which Minnesota state park is best for each free entrance day?
The best Minnesota state parks to visit on the free entrance days is another tough list. So I’ve come up with some criteria to help you choose based on where you live in the following regional areas.
Best Minnesota state park to visit on free entrance day near Duluth
Top Minnesota state park to visit on free entrance day near Mankato
Minnesota Frozen Waterfall Tour – Best Day Trip from Twin Cities
Best Minnesota state park to visit on free entrance day near Minneapolis and St. Paul
You may also like: The best hiking trails near the Twin Cities – one of my most popular posts that’s often featured on Google’s Interesting Finds. Additionally, check out my favorite winter hikes in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
Best Minnesota state park to visit on free entrance day on the North Shore
You may also like: The best photo op stops on the North Shore – the most scenic drive in Minnesota.
Best Minnesota state park to visit on free entrance day near Rochester
You may also like: The best hiking trails near Rochester, Minnesota
Best Minnesota state park to visit on free entrance day near St. Cloud
More of the best state parks in Minnesota
Choosing only some of the best Minnesota state parks was more challenging than any of the hiking trails I’ve trekked. This list doesn’t include the beautiful bluff trails and stunning views at Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, Whitewater State Park and Great River Bluffs State Park, Zippel Bay State Park, and so many more.
I hope you get the opportunity to use your free pass to one or more of Minnesota’s state parks this year. Hiking in these state parks is the best free thing to do in Minnesota.
See my full review of what to pack on a day hike.
A day hiker’s favorite things
List of the best Minnesota state parks
So take advantage of the free entrance days to Minnesota state parks and discover which one is your favorite.
Here is an alphabetical list of all the best state parks in Minnesota (all 66 of them). This list also includes the distance from the Twin Cities (Minneapolis / St. Paul – MSP airport) to help answer the question, “What’s the nearest Minnesota state park near me?”
- Afton State Park | Hastings, MN (26 miles)
- Banning State Park | Sandstone, MN (97 miles)
- Bear Head Lake State Park | Ely, MN (240 miles)
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park | Caledonia, MN (148 miles)
- Big Stone Lake State Park | Ortonville, MN (186 miles)
- Blue Mounds State Park | Luverne, MN (208 miles)
- Buffalo River State Park | Glyndon, MN (240 miles)
- Camden State Park | Lynd, MN (161 miles)
- Carley State Park | Plainview, MN (88 miles)
- Cascade River State Park | Lutsen, MN (257 miles)
- Charles A. Lindbergh State Park | Little Falls, MN (112 miles)
- Crow Wing State Park | Brainerd, MN (134 miles)
- Father Hennepin State Park | Isle, MN (113 miles)
- Flandrau State Park | New Ulm, MN (93 miles)
- Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park | Preston, MN (115 miles)
- Fort Ridgely State Park | Fairfax, MN (99 miles)
- Fort Snelling State Park | Bloomington / St. Paul, MN (2 miles)
- Franz Jevne State Park | Birchdale, MN (336 miles)
- Frontenac State Park | Frontenac, MN (62 miles)
- George H. Crosby Manitou State Park | Finland, MN (231 miles)
- Glacial Lakes State Park | Starbuck, MN (156 miles)
- Glendalough State Park | Battle Lake, MN (194 miles)
- Gooseberry Falls State Park | Two Harbors, MN (197 miles)
- Grand Portage State Park | Grand Portage, MN (308 miles)
- Great River Bluffs State Park | Winona, MN (136 miles)
- Hayes Lake State Park | Roseau, MN (343 miles)
- Hill Annex Mine State Park | Calumet, MN (197 miles)
- Interstate State Park / Taylors Falls State Park | Taylors Falls, MN (56 miles)
- Itasca State Park | Park Rapids, MN (219 miles)
- Jay Cooke State Park | Carlton, MN (146 miles)
- John A. Latsch State Park | Winona, MN (99 miles)
- Judge C.R. Magney State Park | Grand Marais, MN (282 miles)
- Kilen Woods State Park | Lakefield, MN (153 miles)
- Lac qui Parle State Park | Watson, MN (141 miles)
- Lake Bemidji State Park | Bemidji, MN (230 miles)
- Lake Bronson State Park | Karlstad, MN (409 miles)
- Lake Carlos State Park | Alexandria, MN (152 miles)
- Lake Louise State Park | Le Roy, MN (113 miles)
- Lake Maria State Park | Monticello, MN (60 miles)
- Lake Shetek State Park | Currie, MN (168 miles)
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park | Soudan, MN (229 miles)
- McCarthy Beach State Park | Side Lake, MN (227 miles)
- Maplewood State Park | Pelican Rapids, MN (217 miles)
- Mille Lacs Kathio State Park | Onamia, MN (108 miles)
- Minneopa State Park | Mankato, MN (82 miles)
- Monson Lake State Park | Sunburg, MN (141 miles)
- Moose Lake State Park | Moose Lake, MN (116 miles)
- Myre-Big Island State Park | Albert Lea, MN (93 miles)
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park | Nerstrand, MN (52 miles)
- Old Mill State Park | Argyle, MN (350 miles)
- Rice Lake State Park | Owatonna, MN (70 miles)
- St. Croix State Park | Hinckley, MN (105 miles)
- Sakatah Lake State Park | Waterville, MN (60 miles)
- Savanna Portage State Park | Northeast Aitkin, MN (149 miles)
- Scenic State Park | Bigfork, MN (232 miles)
- Schoolcraft State Park | Deer River, MN (198 miles)
- Sibley State Park | New London, MN (128 miles)
- Split Rock Creek State Park | Jasper, MN (202 miles)
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park | Two Harbors, MN (204 miles)
- Temperance River State Park | Schroeder, MN (239 miles)
- Tettegouche State Park | Silver Bay, MN (217 miles)
- Upper Sioux Agency State Park | Granite Falls, MN (122 miles) – Note: Minnesota returned this park’s land to the Native Americans in February 2024. It is no longer open to the public.
- Whitewater State Park | Altura, MN (99 miles)
- Wild River State Park | Center City, MN (58 miles)
- William O’Brien State Park | Scandia / Marine on the St. Croix, MN (43 miles)
- Zippel Bay State Park | Williams, MN (345 miles)
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When can I get free passes to Minnesota state parks?
Which MN state park do you plan to visit on the next Free Parks Day – the best free things to do in Minnesota?
- Mon., Jan. 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- Sat., April 27, 2024
- Sat., June 8, 2024
- Fri., Nov. 29, 2024
Where to stay near Minnesota state parks on the North Shore
Not a camper or glamper? Caribou Highlands Lodge is one of the best places to stay on the North Shore in Minnesota. This Lutsen, MN resort is the most centrally located place to stay on the North Shore. And it’s dog-friendly. The Minnesota state parks closest to Caribou Highlands Lodge are Cascade River State Park, George Crosby Manitou State Park and Tettegouche State Park.
Check out my full review of our hosted Odyssey Resorts stay at a three-bedroom townhome at Caribou Highlands Lodge. Opinions are always my own.
- Beacon Pointe Condo Hotel on Lake Superior in Duluth, MN is the best place to stay near Jay Cooke State Park.
- Breezy Point Cabins in Two Harbors, MN is one of the best places to stay near Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
- Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN is the most centrally located resort on the North Shore and is the best place to stay near Lutsen Mountains (it’s right on the property), Temperance River State Park, George Crosby Manitou State Park, Cascade River State Park.
- East Bay Suites in Grand Marais, MN is the best place to stay near Judge C.R. Magney State Park, Grand Portage State Park and Cascade River State Park.
- Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, MN is one of the best places to stay near George Crosby Manitou State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Tettegouche State Park.
- Larsmont Cottages in Two Harbors, MN is one of the best places to stay near Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Pin it for later: Free things to do in Minnesota – Free MN State Parks Day
I live in the US but unfortunately have never been to Minnesota! However this post certainly makes me want to go, I had no idea how beautiful it was! The Split Rock Lighthouse State Park looks amazing.
Thanks! I hope you get the opportunity to visit. Whenever we have visitors, we take them to Split Rock Lighthouse…it’s the best state park in Minnesota.
All of these state parks look incredible! Seems like Minnesota has so much natural beauty. As someone who loves waterfalls, I would definitely love to visit Gooseberry Falls!
Thank you so much! Gooseberry Falls is very popular for good reason. One of the best state parks in Minnesota.
I never knew Minnesota had all of these wonderful things to do and for free! I have a friend who has wanted me to visit, she could have talked me into it with this list!
Ha! Now you have more reasons to visit your friend and go hike all these beautiful state parks in Minnesota.
I had no idea Minnesota had so many beautiful state parks!! Planning a visit to see some friends this summer and this will really help out!
Awesome! My goal is to hike all 66 Minnesota state parks before June so will have reviews for all of them before your visit.
What a great list! I love that there are 4 free days versus just one. However, your annual pass is super affordable, so I’d probably go that route if I lived in the state.
Thank you! Yes, the Minnesota state park annual pass is super affordable. It’s perfect for an affordable staycation all year long.
I love free admission to parks. Although we go so often we just buy the yearly pass. It’s all good if it gets more people out in nature. Of course, Minnesota state parks are super gorgeous.
Thank you! It’s awesome they have the free park pass days for all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. We’re the same as it is a better investment just to buy the annual pass since we visit so often.
These pictures are so pretty! I’ve only been to Minnesota once, but I would go back in heartbeat. I’d love to see where the Mississippi River starts. Judging from these pictures, though, I would love any of these parks!
Thank you so kindly! You can’t go wrong with any of the state parks in Minnesota – I think they’re all the best. Itasca State Park is pretty special with the Mississippi River headwaters. So cool that you can wade across.
I will keep that one in mind! I wish I could just road trip all the time. It’s cool that you’ve mentioned free state park days. I’m inspired to look for free days in my state!
Awesome! I hope you find free days at your state parks.
What a great opportunity to visit for free. And you are definitely rhe authority on which to visit!
Thank you so kindly! I love hiking all Minnesota state parks. Need to create some top 10 lists.
What a great offering. I would love to visit many of these great hiking spots!
Thanks so much! Lots of variety and the best hiking trails in Minnesota’s state parks.
So many choices. I’d like to sit on the cliff and watch the weather roll on. When the clouds have character, it’s a place I’d want to be for photography.
Minnesota state parks offer the best photo ops to be inspired for sure! Palisade Head at Tettegouche State Park overlooking Lake Superior and John A. Latsch State Park overlooking the Mississippi River are some of the best views.
Your photos are amazing! Those hiking trails look absolutely gorgeous! Will have to add them to my list when we visit Minnesota!
Thank you so kindly! Minnesota state parks have the best hiking trails and I hope you get to visit!
Such beauty! Palisade Head looks like it could be in the Caribbean!
I always feel like I’m on the ocean when we visit Lake Superior! It definitely has that vibe. And Palisade Head at Tettegouche State Park is one of the best experiences in Minnesota.
Minnesota has some amazing state parks. I never realized how big of a state it is, that one park is 204 miles away from you. Wow!
Minnesota has the most amazing and best state parks. Love that I have so many close by. The remaining state parks are all going to be 3-6 hours away. There are a couple of parks 340+ miles away so got a couple of road trips ahead.
State parks are a awesome! It is nice to there are some free things to do in Minnesota!
Agree! And thank you! It’s nice that the Minnesota state parks offer free admission several times a year.
Very good information found here! Enjoy the ability to see so much beauty of MN to determine where the next stop on our journey may be!
Thank you so much! Minnesota state parks are the best and looking forward to exploring more!
I keep hearing about gorgeous State Parks in Minnesota – I didn’t know they had free days though. It is fab that you can visit sooo many gorgeous spots for free!
To be fair, I wouldn’t mind paying when there are so many fab possible adventures!!
It is nice that they offer free entrance to parks a few days a year. I have an annual pass for all Minnesota state parks…so worth it!
We are supposed to go to a wedding in Minnesota this summer. We’ll definitely go to one of the Parks.
Awesome! Any of the Minnesota state parks will be with he visit., I love them all!
I love the idea of your challenge. 66 state parks is a lot, but good luck with the task. I doubt you’ll get them all done in the 4 free park days but that’s a great budget option for many and a really good way to encourage people to get out more
Thank you! I’m on a mission to hike all 66 before June. I have an annual pass so am taking advantage of it.
All of these state parks look so beautiful – I would love to hike around any of these. Thanks for all of the tips about when they’re free to enter!
Thank you so much! I know you would love any of these Minnesota state parks…so beautiful!
I love the idea of a state offering free park days! What a great way of getting people outdoors. If we are in the area, I would love to stop at the John A. Latsch park to take in that view! WOW!
I hope you get the opportunity! John A. Latsch State Park is one of the best state parks in Minnesota. The views of the Mississippi River are amazing. I first hiked it in July and then went back in December. Both great experiences!
What beautiful parks to spend a day in! I love being out in nature.
Thank you! I love connecting with nature also…hiking through the best state parks in Minnesota over the past year really nourished my soul.
That’s so neat that the state has free days to visit the state parks. And MN has soooo many state parks.
We are so fortunate to have so many beautiful protected green spaces. I also love that Minnesota offers four free state park days.
The state parks are incredibly beautiful, I loved your photos and all of your tips for visiting. I also appreciated that you shared the free days for easier visiting. Thanks for the helpful post!
My pleasure and thank you! Minnesota state parks are so beautiful and hope everyone takes advantage of the four free park days.
Wow that annual pass to MN’s state parks looks so affordable!! I’m definitely going to take advantage of that.
Awesome! The Minnesota State Park annual pass is so affordable. And the four free park day passes are pretty awesome also.
I had no idea there were so many natural areas in Minnesota!! I love that there are four days to visit completely free too, although the annual pass is a good deal. I’ve never been to Minnesota, but your pictures (and all the things to do) are really enticing!
Thank you! We do have some beautiful natural areas in Minnesota! And exploring them during the free park days are perfect.
I’d love to visit Minnesota – great ideas here!
Thank you! We would love to welcome you to Minnesota. So many cool things to do here especially when you visit Minnesota state parks on Free Park Day.
Minnesota Is on my bucket list! Wow. Didn’t know there were so many amazing things to do. Bookmarking this post
Awesome! That makes my heart happy! I love Minnesota and love sharing all the great things there are to do to get outseid especially on Minnesota State Parks Free Day.
I’ve never been to Minnesota before. I knew it had a lot of lakes, but I didn’t realize just how beautiful it was! It seems much more outdoorsy than I imagined. These parks all look beautiful, I’d have a hard time picking one for free day!
A lot of people are surprised by all the beauty and outdoor adventures Minnesota offers especially at its state parks. It’s so great people can visit for free four days a year.
That’s so awesome that the state parks are accessible for free four days per year… but also that the annual pass is so affordable. I had no idea there were so many great state parks in Minnesota – you’ve definitely inspired me!
Thank you so much! So happy to hear! It’s awesome that people can visit state parks for free four days a year in Minnesota. And it really is an affordable annual pass.
Wow! Those are all stunning. Who knew Minnesota had so much going for it ??
Thank you so much! Love sharing all the beauty of Minnesota state parks! And people can see it all for themselves for free on Free Park Day!
Looks like there are so many great parks to visit in Minnesota! I would love to check out Itasca State Park!
Yes, we have so many beautiful state parks in Minnesota. Itasca State Park, home of the Mississippi headwaters, is one of the best state parks in Minnesota.
This is such a comprehensive list. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and my pleasure! Visiting Minnesota state parks – especially on Free Park Day – is always the best thing to do on the weekend!
Wow, Minnesota state parks are breathtaking! No wonder this is one of the best free things to do in Minnesota. I’d most like to visit Split Rock Lighthouse!
Thank you! Minnesota state parks are indeed breathtaking! Although it’s really difficult to choose a favorite, the Split Rock Lighthouse is one that I highly recommend. A perfect time to visit is on Free Park Day.
I think the fee for a yearly pass to the state parks is quite reasonable. The free days would only be a teaser and just make me want to get the pass. I love the lakes and hiking in Minnesota
I agree – and think the yearly pass to the Minnesota state parks is very reasonable. And love Free Park Day to entice people to visit.
What a wonderful opportunity to visit the Minnesota State Parks for free! I love when places do open days so you can try something new and visit a new place for free. I’d love to visit Split Rock Lighthouse State Park as it looks so pretty! Thanks for the great guide!
Thank you and my pleasure! It’s so awesome that people can visit Minnesota state parks for free on Free Park Day four times a year. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is one of my favorites.
You’ve done so much work curating this list. Minnesota has so many great parks to visit with hikes and amazing viewpoints around every turn.
Thank you! Minnesota does offer some great places to hike at their state parks with some amazing views. Perfect place to sample any of them for free on Free Park Day.
You are such a great resource for Minnesota parks! If I had only one free day, I don’t know which one I’d pick. I guess I’d take your suggestion to see all the buffalo. I love seeing wildlife 🙂
Thank you so much! Love sharing all the fun things to do at Minnesota state park – especially on Free Park Day!
I love the suggestion for the mosquito wipes. I am also a huge magnet for them. I love that someone was creative enough to think to package them as on-the-go wipes. Genius.
These mosquito wipes are pure genius! My favorite thing to pack especially when hiking at Minnesota state parks.
Thank you for sharing this! Minnesota is definitely on my bucket list.
Thank you and my pleasure! I hope you get the opportunity to visit Minnesota and the beautiful state parks.
This is such an insightful article! Thanks for all these info! I didn’t know about all these amazing things in Minnesota! I hope I can visit in the future!
Thank you so much! So many beautiful state parks in Minnesota.
I had no idea there were so many state parks in Minnesota! My first stop would be Itasca State Park – I’d love to see with my own eyes one of the greatest rivers in the world, the Mississippi River Headwaters!
Itasca State Park is the one of the best state parks in Minnesota. It’s so cool that you can walk across where the Mississippi River starts.
I couldn’t find a place to start a new comment thread so I will comment here. I live in Apple Valley in the early 1980’s and visited several places in that state. Sound like Itasca state park would be a great park to visit first.
That’s so awesome you lived in Apple Valley – right next door to me and I worked there for 16 years. Love Itasca State Park – where the Mississippi River gets its start.
The Minnesota parks are high on my list to visit. It looks so beautiful.
Awesome! I highly recommend hiking any of the Minnesota state parks.
Definitely a LOT to do with free things to do in Minnesota on the visit state parks on free day!! Thank you for putting together this extensive list!
Thank you and my pleasure! Love free Minnesota state park days as they give everyone an opportunity to hike the beautiful trails.
I’ve never been to Minnesota, but I hope to visit all 50 states. This was so helpful in grasping what we could do in Minnesota. Thanks!
I hope you get the opportunity to visit Minnesota. Love sharing the beauty of its state parks!
So many state parks!!! Seems like a lot of variety as well. I would love to spend more time in Minnesota. Growing up in Michigan, I’m sad I never hopped over to check some of these out
I hear you! I missed out on a lot of beautiful places in Maine when we lived in Vermont! I hope you get the opportunity to explore Minnesota state parks.
Never been there. But such a good read that it feels like experiencing it! Very informative.
Thank you so kindly! I hope you get the opportunity to visit Minnesota state parks!