Ideal Park
Rate this placeNearby: Hemingway Park Pinetree Pond Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Ideal Park is a popular destination in the state of Minnesota due to its scenic beauty and various recreational activities.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
Located in the small town of Ideal Township, the park offers visitors a chance to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming. The park boasts a large sandy beach, picnic areas, a playground, and a volleyball court, making it an ideal spot for families.
One of the main attractions of Ideal Park is the Gull Lake Chain of Lakes, which provides ample opportunities for fishing and boating. The park also has a boat launch and a fish cleaning house for visitors to use. Another popular location within the park is the Ideal Township Historical Society Museum, which showcases the area's history through various exhibits and artifacts.
Visitors to Ideal Park can also enjoy the park's extensive trail system, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding forests and wildlife. The park's trails are open for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
Interesting facts about Ideal Park include its history as a former logging camp and the presence of a large population of bald eagles in the area. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park's beach and water activities are open. However, the park's trails and museum are open year-round, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Overall, Ideal Park is a must-visit location for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Minnesota.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
kestrel
goldfinch
Cardinal
bluebird
chickadee
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Hemingway Park
Pinetree Pond Park
Pinetree Valley Park
Stadium Park
Hearthside Park