Minnesota’s last Big Woods forest hides glacial lakes and rare turtles: Here’s what to know

Flickr/Nic McPhee

It’s an hour from the Twin Cities

Lake Maria State Park sits about an hour northwest of Minneapolis, near Monticello, and it feels like you drove back in time. The park covers nearly 1,600 acres of rolling, wooded land that protects one of the few remaining stands of Minnesota’s old Big Woods, a dense forest of maple, oak and basswood that once spread across much of the southern half of the state. Most of the camping here is hike-in only, which keeps the whole place quiet. The woods tell you why. Shutterstock

The state set this land aside in 1963

Minnesota created the park in 1963, but it didn’t open to visitors until 1971. The whole point was to protect the forest and give people a wild, quiet place to go. That’s why planners skipped the drive-in campground and went with hike-in sites instead. You have to earn your spot here, and that decision has kept the park feeling remote even though the Twin Cities are close. The state expanded the park in 1980 to protect even more of the Big Woods. Wikimedia Commons/Tony Webster

Thirteen miles of trails roll through the forest

About 13 miles of hiking trails wind through forest, meadows and around the park’s small lakes. The paths rise and fall over gentle hills left behind by glaciers, so you get a good workout without anything too steep. The Bjorkland Trail is a solid pick at about two miles, and it’s part of Minnesota’s Hiking Club trail program. You walk through thick canopy for most of it, and the shade keeps things cool even in July. Shutterstock

A boardwalk takes you right over the marsh

A wooden boardwalk cuts through one of the park’s marshes and puts you right over the wetland. Overlooks along the way give you a clear line of sight across the water, which is where you want to be if you’re looking for turtles or birds. The trail center nearby doubles as an indoor picnic shelter with exhibits about the park’s ecology. Several trails start from there, so it’s a smart place to begin your day. Wikimedia Commons/USFWS Midwest Region

The threatened Blanding’s turtle lives here

Keep your eyes on the water’s edge, because Lake Maria is home to the Blanding’s turtle. You can spot them by the bright yellow markings on their shells. Minnesota lists them as a threatened species, and the park’s lakes and wetlands give them the habitat they need. They tend to sun themselves near the shoreline on warm mornings. If you see one, give it space and watch from a distance.

They’re slow, but they don’t like company. Wikimedia Commons/Chris.et

Over 200 bird species pass through each year

More than 200 bird species move through the park over the course of a year, and the mix of forest and wetland is what draws them. Bald eagles and ospreys patrol the skies above the lakes. A wildlife observation deck on the north end of the park looks out over a small lake and gives you a front-row seat. Bring binoculars. You’ll want them. The variety here is wide enough to keep even experienced birders busy for hours. Wikimedia Commons/Chris.et

Deer, foxes and mink roam the quiet woods

White-tailed deer move through the forest, and if you’re out early or late in the day, you might catch a red fox, fisher or mink. Beavers and muskrats work the ponds and lake edges, and woodchucks pop up in the meadows. The hike-in setup keeps foot traffic low, so wildlife doesn’t scatter the way it does in busier parks. Walk slowly, stay quiet, and you’ll see more than you expect. Wikimedia Commons/McGhiever

Glaciers carved these small lakes and rolling hills

The land here got its shape from glaciers thousands of years ago. They left behind rolling hills, scattered ponds and marshes that still hold water today. Small lakes dot the park, and a fishing pier reaches out into Little Mary Lake where you can try for bass, panfish and northern pike. You don’t need a boat to fish here, though one helps. The pier is a good spot to sit with a line in the water and nowhere to be. Shutterstock

Paddle Little Mary Lake by canoe or kayak

A boat ramp near the picnic area puts you on the water fast. Canoe and kayak rentals are available if you didn’t bring your own. Outboard motors over 20 horsepower are prohibited on Little Mary Lake, so the water stays calm and the noise stays low. Trees and marsh ring the shoreline, and paddling gives you a different angle on the wildlife. You’ll see things from the water that you’d miss from the trails. Wikimedia Commons/McGhiever

The lakeshore picnic area sits under heavy shade

The picnic area spreads along the shore of Little Mary Lake under thick tree cover.

Paul has a wild river escape with 300-foot bluffs and it’s closer than most people realize

Ice carved 200 holes into this Minnesota gorge; one drops 60 feet straight down

Minnesota’s Big Bog looks like another planet, and the boardwalk puts you right in the middle

The post Minnesota’s last Big Woods forest hides glacial lakes and rare turtles appeared first on When In Your State.

You’ll find tables, grills and fire rings set up and ready to use. The hiking trails and fishing pier are close by, so you can eat, fish and walk without ever moving your car. It’s a good spot to spend an entire afternoon, and the shade from the Big Woods canopy keeps the heat down even when the rest of Minnesota is baking. Wikimedia Commons/Vasanth Rajkumar

Hike a mile or two to reach your campsite

Most campsites here sit one to two miles from the parking area, and you carry everything in on your back. The park has 17 backpack sites spread through the woods, each one tucked far enough from the others that you feel like you have the forest to yourself. If you want a roof over your head, three rustic camper cabins come with wood stoves but no electricity. Groups can reserve a primitive camp that’s reachable by vehicle. Wikimedia Commons/Tony Webster

Fall colors light up the forest, and winter brings skiing

Fall draws crowds for good reason. The rolling forest turns red, orange and yellow, and the canopy glows when the light hits it right. In winter, the hiking trails convert to cross-country ski routes, and you can snowshoe through the woods on fresh powder. The park also has an ice skating rink and a sliding hill for families. Lake Maria works in every season, but the fall color and winter silence are hard to beat. Shutterstock

Hit the trails at Lake Maria State Park

You can find Lake Maria State Park at 11411 Clementa Ave. NW in Monticello, Minn. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages the park, and it stays open year-round. Hike-in camping, trails and wildlife viewing are available in every season, but check the official website before you go for current conditions and cabin availability. A state park vehicle permit is required for entry. Get there early on fall weekends, because the parking lot fills up. This article was created with AI assistance and human editing. Read more from this brand:

St. Paul has a wild river escape with 300-foot bluffs and it’s closer than most people realize

Ice carved 200 holes into this Minnesota gorge; one drops 60 feet straight down

Minnesota’s Big Bog looks like another planet, and the boardwalk puts you right in the middle

The post Minnesota’s last Big Woods forest hides glacial lakes and rare turtles appeared first on When In Your State.