Minnesota is home to many underrated state parks, including the one with a “ Niagara Falls” lookalike—High Falls in Grand Portage State Park . The state also boasts Voyageurs National Park, one of the best places in the country to view the northern lights . But just 50 miles northwest of Minneapolis, one overlooked state park quietly holds some of Minnesota’s most enchanting natural treasures.

This lesser-known gem may not have the fame of Glacier National Park, but it offers its own miniature version—complete with glacial landforms, peaceful lakes, and a dense canopy of towering hardwoods. Whether you’re a hiker, birder, winter adventurer, or just someone looking for solitude, Lake Maria State Park blends geological wonder with rustic wilderness charm. Its glacier-sculpted terrain,

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