This northwest Minnesota road trip is designed for outdoor lovers and hikers, especially those who participate in the Minnesota State Park passport and hiking clubs. Visit eight state parks, two of the largest lakes in Minnesota, the largest peat bog in the lower 48 states and catch a glimpse of the elusive state flower.
Plan the best Minnesota State Parks road trip to explore northwest Minnesota with this 4-day itinerary.
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Northwest Minnesota Road Trip Route
This northwest Minnesota road trip starts and ends in Minneapolis, exploring the northwest corner of the state over 4 days and 3 nights. The recommended overnight stops are in Thief River Falls and along Lake of the Woods (either a resort or in the nearby towns of Baudette or Warroad). As an alternative consider camping at one of the eight state parks on this itinerary.
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Northwest Minnesota is known for its diverse landscape including peat bogs, prairie, coniferous forests and Native American and homesteading history. This is one of the least populated parts of Minnesota, so be sure to fill up on gas when it’s available and plan to bring picnics to enjoy along the way.
Pro Tip: Download offline versions of Google maps before you leave so you can navigate without cell service.
Day 1 | Minneapolis to Thief River Falls
Lake Bemidji State Park | Bemidji, MN
If you time your visit just right, Lake Bemidji State Park is a great place to catch a glimpse of the elusive Minnesota state flower – the lady slipper! Find these beauties along the 1.25 mile out-and-back (2.5 miles total) Bog Walk Trail boardwalk in June and early July each year. While hiking, enjoy the coniferous forest, pitcher plants, and more.
The park also has a sandy beach, an overlook of Lake Bemidji from the Rocky Point Trail, and access to the Paul Bunyan State Trail which is a paved trail ideal for biking.
Pro Tip: The Bog Walk Trail is naturally humid, so expect mosquitoes. Be sure to bring your bug spray! Here are the best ways to avoid mosquitoes and ticks while hiking.
Black Cat Sports Bar & Grill | Thief River Falls, MN
As a nod to the Arctic Cat snowmobile brand, which is manufactured in Thief River Falls, Black Cat Sports Bar & Grill has all the snowmobile decor and memorabilia. It’s also conveniently located next door to the GrandStay hotel.
The menu features great northwoods pub food and a full bar. The walleye dinner, crusty tomato and cheese sandwich, and burgers are all delicious and substantial meals!
GrandStay Hotel & Suites Thief River Falls
GrandStay Hotel & Suites Thief River Falls is a great place to rest and recharge after your drive and to use as a base to explore the northwest corner of Minnesota from. As with all GrandStay properties, the lobby has a welcoming fireplace and lounge area as well as an indoor pool and hot tub. One of my favorite things about GrandStay is the hot and grab-and-go breakfast options included with the room!
Day 2 | Explore Minnesota State Parks Near Thief River Falls
To be completely honest, I didn’t find any great coffee shops in Thief River Falls, aside from chains like Caribou Coffee. That’s ok, though, because there are great options near several stops on this day’s itinerary.
Red River State Recreation Area | East Grand Forks, MN
Located in the heart of East Grand Forks and just 1 hour from Thief River Falls, Red River State Recreation Area is an urban park with a unique and interesting history. In 1997 there was a substantial flood that devastated the area. As part of the recovery efforts, the floodplain was redrawn and 500 homes and other properties in East Grand Forks were removed and turned into a green space. Today, visitors can walk through the former Sherlock neighborhood and see remnants from before the flood.
There is very little hiking to do at this park. The primary trail is paved and follows the Red River, which is a great place for birding and fishing.
Pro Tip: Grand Forks, North Dakota, is just across the bridge from Red River State Recreation Area and has lots of coffee shops, restaurants, and more to explore. My recommendations for coffee shops in Grand Forks are Urban Stampede and The Ember Coffeehouse.
Old Mill State Park | Argyle, MN
Just under an hour north of Red River State Recreation Area, Old Mill State Park preserves a slice of Minnesota’s milling history. Here you’ll find the original site of a water-powered mill built in 1886, remnants of the steam-powered mill that was built later, and the settler cabin of the Larson Family.
From the historical sites, walk along the River View Trail to enjoy the view of the Middle River. The Agassiz Trail is a 1.3 mile loop through prairie and forest, where you may spot wildlife like deer, black bears and birds!
Lake Bronson State Park | Lake Bronson, MN
About 35 minutes north of Old Mill State Park is Lake Bronson State Park. This park is more substantial than the other two visited on Day 2, so plan to spend a little more time here.
Enjoy a picnic near the sandy beach area, climb the largest tower in the state park system for a birds eye view, or explore one of the many trails to learn about the history of the land that was once part of a glacial lake.
River & Rails Brewery | Thief River Falls, MN
Head back to Thief River Falls to relax after a day of exploring! One of the best things to do in Thief River Falls is to stop at River & Rails Brewery. It’s located downtown and has a great outdoor patio overlooking the river. On the menu you’ll find pizza, light snacks and an assortment of brews. In addition to the typical brews you would expect, I appreciate their fun and whimsical brews that rotate seasonally.
Las Ranitas Restaurant | Thief River Falls, MN
End your day with a delicious and festive Mexican meal at Las Ranitas Restaurant. While it may look unassuming at the end of a strip mall, this restaurant is popular with locals and visitors. As a tequila lover, I was impressed by the selection of margaritas!
Day 3 | Thief River Falls to Baudette
If you only have 3 days, I recommend skipping Zippel Bay State Park and continuing onto the Day 4 itinerary from Hayes Lake State Park. It’s a long day of driving but doable and the suggested stops are great ways to break up the drive.
Hayes Lake State Park | Roseau, MN
Explore the trails and learn about the homestead community that was once on the land where Hayes Lake State Park is today. This park is also a great place to go fishing or paddling (canoe and kayak rentals available at the park office).
The Homestead Trail is a 2.4 mile loop that goes along the remnants of a homestead community and several gravesites. Alternatively, the Pine Ridge Trail is a 2.5 mile out-and-back (5.0 miles total) trail that goes through a pine forest, and cedar bog walk.
Zippel Bay State Park | Williams, MN
Zippel Bay State Park is located on Lake of the Woods, which is one of the largest lakes in the world and stretches between Minnesota and Canada. The lake has more than 25,000 miles of shoreline and nearly 15,000 islands!!
The park is home to wildlife that is less common in other parts of Minnesota, including black bear, pine marten, coyote, timber wolves, sandhill cranes, and the endangered piping plover. Also, like Lake Bemidji State Park, Zippel Bay State Park is home to lady slippers from June to early July. During your visit, check out a birding kit or fishing pole for free at the park office!
Pro Tip: Stay the night at one of the many resorts in the area and enjoy the restaurants in nearby Baudette or Warroad. Here’s my guide with things to do in Baudette!
Day 4
Big Bog State Recreation Area | Waskish, MN
Did you know that the largest peat bog in the lower 48 states is in Minnesota? Experience it at Big Bog State Recreation Area on the shore of Red Lake, which happens to be the largest lake completely within Minnesota.
The Big Bog Boardwalk is a 1-mile out-and back (2-miles total) trail that takes you out into the bog to see the unique wildlife, including orchids, carnivorous plants and more. This trail is located in the park’s northern unit.
Pro Tip: It is a short (approximately ¼ mile) walk from the parking lot to the start of the boardwalk. This section of the trail was very buggy when I visited in June, but once on the boardwalk there were almost no bugs.
Next, head to the visitor center in the southern unit to climb the 100-foot tall fire tower for stunning views of Red Lake and the bog from above.
Itasca State Park | Park Rapids, MN
A right of passage for Minnesotans is to walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This is where the Mighty Mississippi starts as just a small stream!
Find this gem in Itasca State Park, which is conveniently on the route to the Twin Cities. The park is fairly large with lots to see. But, find the headwaters at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. From the parking lot, there is a ¼ mile trail to the headwaters.
Pro Tip: Expect a short wait to walk across the headwaters as this is a popular attraction.
Depending on how much time you have to explore the park, consider the 10-mile wilderness drive, Aiton Heights fire tower, or one of the many hiking trails. The helpful staff in the visitor centers can help you choose a trail, if needed.
Clearwater Travel Plaza | Clearwater, MN
This is easily my favorite roadside stop on my way back to the Twin Cities at the end of a road trip. Clearwater Travel Plaza has a sit-down restaurant, bakery, and food court with pizza, deli sandwiches, and more. The Nelson Bros. bakery has donuts that are quite literally the size of your head, cookies, fritters and just about any sweet treat you can imagine. All freshly baked and delicious.
Best Minnesota State Parks Road Trip Itinerary to Northwest Minnesota
This 4-day northwest Minnesota State Parks road trip itinerary will earn you 8 state park passport stamps and miles towards your state park hiking club goals. Plus, you will experience some incredibly unique landscapes that you can’t see anywhere else in Minnesota.
Related content to read next:
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Minnesota Hiking Guides: 15 Books About Hiking in Minnesota
Check out my Minnesota travel page for even more inspiration and tips!
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Minnesota is full of surprises! Zippel Bay is def a highlight, Lake of the Woods is incredible. I can’t get over how pretty the lady slippers are!
Nice! I love this kind of roadtrip that combines plenty of little walks, good food and some roadside stops along the way. Minnesota has sooo much to see! Zippel Bay State Park sounds like the highlight with all that wildlife. 🙂
p.s. The lady slipper is so pretty!