Lake Maria State Park park
Lake Maria State Park
There are several reasons to visit Lake Maria State Park. Visitors can indulge in various recreational activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and camping. The park also has several points of interest, such as the Maria Lake and the scenic views atop the hills. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and owls.
One interesting fact about Lake Maria State Park is that it was established in 1963 and was originally named the Elk River State Wayside Park. The park was renamed to its present name in 1969 after Maria Sandberg, who donated the land to the state.
The best time to visit Lake Maria State Park is during the summer months, from May to September. During this time, visitors can enjoy the warm weather and participate in various outdoor activities. However, the fall months, from September to November, are also a good time to visit as the park is covered in a blanket of colorful foliage.
Overall, Lake Maria State Park is a great destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities, it is a must-visit destination in Minnesota.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Lake Maria State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Maria State Park Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Schroeder County Park Campgrounds | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Canoe-In Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Joyner Airport | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Warner Lake Cp--East Bicycle Camp | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| St. Cloud Clearwater Rv Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Lake Maria State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Lake Maria State Park
What can I do at Lake Maria State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Lake Maria State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Lake Maria State Park.