Bog Boardwalk at Lake Bemidji State Park. Photo submitted by Christa Drake. Camping in Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, MN. Photos submitted by Minnesota DNR.
HIKING & CAMPING
The Ultimate Hiking / Camping Adventure Spots Up North
BY CYNTHIA PARSONS • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For breathtaking natural beauty, diverse landscapes, well-maintained trails, and the chance to see abundant floral and fauna, plan a trip to a state park Up North.
Minnesota state parks are offering a rewards program where the more trails you hike, the more free nights of camping you can earn. For more information on The Hiking Club, visit https:// www. dnr. state. mn. us / state _ parks / clubs / hiking. html
Each state park listed below provides its own unique hiking and camping adventure for the outdoor enthusiast.
Lake Carlos State Park in Carlos, Minn. Lake Carlos State Park’ s 1,231-acres lie 10 miles north of Alexandria in Carlos, Minn., with more than 14 miles of hiking trails. You can walk
26 2025 | destinationupnorth. com through stands of mature hardwood trees, grassy meadows, lakes, tamarack bogs and marshes. Hike the Hidden Lake Trail’ s 1.4-mile loop around Hidden Lake and along Lake Carlos to see old-growth forest, wildflowers, birds and a bald eagle nest. Lake Carlos is the largest and deepest lake on the Alexandria chain of lakes.
Off County Highway 38 is Inspiration Peak which is managed by Lake Carlos State Park, situated on the southeast shore of Lake Carlos. The glacier-made peak is 1,726 feet above sea level.
A steep quarter-mile hike brings you to the top of the peak for a panoramic view that allows you to see for miles. But the aspen trees are the real draw. Lake Carlos State Park’ s Gerry Lipinski is in charge of taking care of the big tooth aspen trees.“ I make sure invasive plants don’ t take over,” Lipinski said.
He grew up in the area and is now in charge of maintaining the park he loves.“ There are days when it can be a couple of people, a dozen people up to hundreds of people visiting. Hikers come to Inspiration Point for the amazing views. They are making the same journey Nobel Prize winning author Sinclair Lewis used to make,” Lipinski said.
Lewis( born in Sauk Centre, Minn.) once wrote this about Inspiration Peak:“ There’ s to be seen a glorious 20-mile circle of some 50 lakes scattered among fields and pastures, like sequins fallen on an old paisley shawl.”
Lake Carlos State Park has two campgrounds with 121 campsites. The lower campground is not very private but offers great views of Lake Carlos. The upper campground is more secluded and wooded. If you do not have camping gear, there are four camper cabins to rent.