Red Pine Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Red Pine Park is a 500-acre state park located in the north-central part of Minnesota.
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Summary
It is known for its beautiful scenery, including towering red pine trees and pristine lakes.
There are many good reasons to visit Red Pine Park, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and camping. The park has several hiking trails that range from easy to difficult, offering visitors the chance to explore the park's diverse landscape. There are also several lakes within the park, including Red Pine Lake, which is popular for fishing and swimming.
One of the main points of interest in Red Pine Park is the historic logging camp, which gives visitors a glimpse into Minnesota's logging history. The camp has several buildings, including a blacksmith shop, cookhouse, and bunkhouse, and is open for tours during the summer months.
Other interesting features of the park include a natural spring, a wildflower garden, and a bog boardwalk. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, moose, and beavers.
The best time of year to visit Red Pine Park depends on what activities you want to do. Summer is the most popular time to visit, as the weather is warm and sunny, and the lakes are great for swimming and fishing. Fall is a beautiful time to visit, as the leaves change color and the park is less crowded. Winter is also a popular time to visit, as there are several cross-country skiing trails and snowshoeing opportunities.
Overall, Red Pine Park is a beautiful and unique destination in Minnesota that offers visitors a chance to connect with nature and explore the state's rich history.
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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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