There are over 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding great places to try out your new stand-up paddleboard.
State Parks are a great choice! More than half of Minnesota’s state parks and state recreation areas have benefitted from the Minnesota Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund, which receives a portion of every dollar played on the lottery. We teamed up with Explore Minnesota to find the top five Minnesota State Parks where you can try out your new stand-up paddle board:
ITASCA STATE PARK, PARK RAPIDS
Tip: Take a few extra minutes to walk across the Mississippi River.
SPLIT ROCK CREEK STATE PARK, JASPER
Tip: Make a late summer visit and you will be rewarded with blooming prairie wildflowers and grasses.
MCCARTHY BEACH STATE PARK, SIDE LAKE
Tip: Plan on spending time relaxing on Sturgeon Lake’s renowned sandy beach.
SIBLEY STATE PARK, NEW LONDON
Tip: Plan a picnic! There are three picnic sites within the park.
GLACIAL LAKES STATE PARK, STARBUCK
Tip: Make time for swimming in the crystal clear water of Signalness Lake.
When you visit Minnesota's State Parks, remember to follow all park rules and have fun safely! Learn more about paddleboarding by visiting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website and check out the Explore Minnesota website for even more ideas for summer fun!