Summary
It is a beautiful park that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and bird watching. The park is known for its rolling hills, hardwood forests, and pristine lakes.
One of the main attractions in Maplewood State Park is the 25-mile trail system that winds through the park's hills and forests. The trails are suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Another must-see attraction is the Glendalough State Park, which is located within Maplewood. The park features a unique combination of prairie and forest habitats, as well as several lakes that are ideal for fishing and swimming.
Visitors to Maplewood State Park can also enjoy a variety of winter sports, such as skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The park has several miles of groomed ski trails and snowmobiling routes, as well as a warming house for visitors to relax in.
Some interesting facts about Maplewood State Park include that it was established in 1963, and is named after the maple trees that are found throughout the park. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Maplewood State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's lakes are perfect for swimming and fishing. However, the park is also stunning during the autumn months, when the trees are changing colors and the landscape is particularly beautiful.
Overall, Maplewood State Park is a fantastic destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse range of activities, and many points of interest, it's no wonder that the park is a popular attraction for visitors to 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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Maplewood State Park
|
||
Maplewood State Park Campground
|
||
Sherin Memorial City Campground
|
||
Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
|