Raspberry Island

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Raspberry Island is a small island located in the Mississippi River in the state of Minnesota.


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Summary

It is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty, unique amenities, and rich history.

There are many good reasons to visit Raspberry Island, including its picturesque scenery, diverse wildlife, hiking trails, picnic areas, and water activities. Some of the specific points of interest to see on the island include a beautiful pavilion, a lighthouse, and a museum that showcases the island's history and culture.

Interesting facts about the area include that Raspberry Island was once a popular spot for bootleggers during prohibition, and that it was also used as a location for filming movies in the early 20th century.

The best time of year to visit Raspberry Island is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the island is alive with activity. However, visitors can also enjoy the island's beauty during the fall and winter months, when the foliage changes color and the river freezes over, respectively.

Overall, Raspberry Island is a hidden gem in Minnesota that offers visitors a unique blend of history, nature, and recreation.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

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 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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