It’s a personal challenge which I’m proud to have accomplished. In 2017 I set a goal to hike in all the hikable Minnesota State Parks. I finished visiting the parks in June 2021.
There are 67 of the 76 total Minnesota State Park and Recreation Areas which are able to be hiked. Doing this has given me new perspectives on the state, challenged me physically and mentally and given me inspiration to try new trails as often as I can. Minnesota is home to a rich variety of spaces which have been set aside because of their unique historic, geographic or natural habitats.
As I completed the hikes, I collected park patches and trail maps as a reminder of all the wonderful parks I’ve visited. I hope this list provides you some inspiration. Check out the links to see more about what makes each park unique and worth a visit.
Want to take on the adventure? Someone created this map, which I used to plan several road trips, allowing me to hike a series of parks in one trip.
Minnesota Parks Fun Fact: Nearly every park is within an hour or less drive from another park.
this map shows how to string the parks together into an epic road trip.
Copyright Ruth Wikoff-Jones, ruthsbluemarble.com | No Use Permitted Without Prior Permission
Hello! Do you have a photo of your complete patch collection I could see?
Thank you for asking! I don’t have a single photo that has all the patches. I’ve put them into two display frames and have yet to take a photo of them in those cases. My intent is not to do a photo of the collection until my personal goal of hiking in all the Minnesota State Parks is complete. Hopefully that will be in 2021!
Now that you’ve finished the challenge do you have a photo of your completed patch collection?
I do, but haven’t posted it yet!
Love the hiking goal – my family and I are starting on this as well. I’m curious though – where did you find the George H Crosby – Manitou patch? We hiked the park today, and I couldn’t find where I could get one.
Thanks!
Dan
I hiked the park a few years ago and purchased it at the park office at the entrance to the park. You can also call the park (has to be directly to the park, not the DNR) to order it and they will often mail it. Patience is the key, you might have to leave a message and wait for them to call you back.
Hi Dan,
You can get this patch at the Tettegouche office. Hope that helps!
Which are the two parks that don’t have patches? I am trying to collect a patch for each but am running into some radio silence and issues, curious which 2 I should stop wasting my time with.
Last I checked Franz Jevne and Monson Lake did not have them. Franz Jevne is managed by Zipple Bay, so it’s best to call Zipple Bay. What I learned is if the park doesn’t have regular staffing or is a self service kiosk at the entry, there is likely a different park that manages it. I used the individual park websites to figure out who to contact. Sometimes it was quite a while before a park would respond or I’d email. On the flip side, I had a park staff that I’d emailed two years earlier and learned they were out then email me to let me know they had the patches back in stock. I’d guess that many parks have less staffing for the winter now so it will take longer to hear back.