Maplewood State Park
Near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
By Nicole Thom-Arens
Published in 2023
In October 2022, Liam (14 years old at the time) and I headed east to Maplewood State Park for a hike. We were a bit late in the season to witness peak colors, but it hadn’t yet snowed and the forest floor glowed yellow in the sunlight. It was our first trip to this Minnesota State Park about 16 miles southeast of Pelican Rapids, and the 9,250-acre park did not disappoint.
Coming from the flat lands of Fargo, North Dakota, Liam and I were looking forward to the tree-covered hills that would offer us a more challenging shift in incline as we journeyed through the trails. Liam, stick in hand, took the lead.
Coming from the flat lands of Fargo, North Dakota, Liam and I were looking forward to the tree-covered hills that would offer us a more challenging shift in incline as we journeyed through the trails. Liam, stick in hand, took the lead.
Founded in 1963, Maplewood State Park “is located in a transition area between the western prairies and the eastern forests” of Minnesota, according to the Ottertail County website. The park is home to various wildflowers and prairie grasses and sugar maples and basswoods that turn the skyline into a fiery display of yellow, orange, and red during fall’s peak.
The park offers year-round activities including trails for hiking and horseback riding. In winter, Maplewood turns into a wonderland with snow-covered trails perfect for hiking and snowshoeing. There are also groomed trails for cross-country skiers.
During non-winter months, campers can rent sites around Lida Lake. Other lakes in the park include Field Lake and Beaver Lake, both of which offer gorgeous overlooks. Guests to Maplewood can enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on the water. There are also ample opportunities for wildlife watching on and off the water, including a rustic blind near Beaver Lake. The park offers two large picnic shelters available for renting, making it an ideal location to gather with friends and family.
No matter the time of year, Maplewood State Park has something to offer and is an excellent way to get outside and take in the fresh air and gorgeous views.