Miniwakan State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Miniwakan State Park is located in the state of Minnesota and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and scenic landscapes.
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Summary
The park is located on the shore of Lake Minnewaska, which is the seventh largest lake in the state. There are several good reasons to visit this park, including hiking, fishing, and camping.
One of the main points of interest at Miniwakan State Park is the hiking trails. The park offers several different trails, ranging from easy to difficult, that take visitors through scenic forests, around lakes, and up hills. The park is also home to the Glenwood Lakes Area Trail, a 29-mile trail that is popular for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.
Another popular feature of Miniwakan State Park is the fishing. Lake Minnewaska is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, and bass. There are several fishing piers and boat launches located throughout the park, making it easy to access the lake.
In addition to hiking and fishing, Miniwakan State Park offers visitors the opportunity to camp. The park has several campsites, including drive-in sites, walk-in sites, and group campsites. There are also several picnic areas located throughout the park, making it a great place for a family picnic.
Interesting facts about Miniwakan State Park include that it was established in 1963 and covers over 3,000 acres. The park is also home to several historical sites, including a pioneer cemetery and the remains of a dam that was built in the early 1900s.
The best time of year to visit Miniwakan State Park depends on what activities you are interested in. The park is open year-round, but the most popular times to visit are during the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is perfect for swimming. However, the park is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves change colors, and winter is a great time for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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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.
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