While visiting family up in Fergus Falls, I took a day and night to explore Maplewood State Park, the 6th largest state park in Minnesota. Since it was a weekday, I practically had the entire park to myself. I chatted with the very friendly and helpful park rangers in the information center, selected a campsite, then explored several trails in the park. There are so many options! Here are a few experiences I can share; I hope you enjoy! Location: Pelican Rapids, MN Management

Martin-Island-Linwood Lakes Regional Park Location: Wyoming, MN Management: Anoka County Parks & Recreation Cost: $5/day or $25/year. Car passes are NOT available at this location but can be purchased at other Anoka County parks. Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Dirt and Grass Trails Environment: Pine, Oak, Elm Forest. Lakes. Marsh / Grassland. Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, Pick up Waste

Banning State Park Location: Sandstone, MN (right off I-35) Management: Minnesota State Parks and Trails Trail: Skunk Cabbage Trail Duration: 1.5 hours Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Dirt Trails Environment: Birch forest, Kettle River, rapids Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Good Parking: Plentiful, no charge. Winter parking at Picnic Area. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum Recommended Gear: Waterproof boots when hiking in early winter and early s

Lake Maria State Park Location: Monticello, MN Management: Minnesota State Parks and Trails Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Dirt Trails Environment: Primarily Oak Forest, some grassland, several lakes Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Good Parking: Plentiful, no charge. Main parking at trail center. Parking also available at the Lake. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum Recommended Gear: Waterproof boots when hiking in early winter and early spring. L

Tales From the Trail William O’Brien State Park You may have read my trail guide for Afton State Park, also on the St Croix River in eastern Minnesota. You may have said, that’s really rugged and a little intimidating; I just want a moderate hike with an interesting landscape. This trail at William O’Brien State Park is going to be just the right fit for you, then. When I go to William O’Brien State Park, I really feel like I’m getting away from it all. Sure, you’ll run into

One Mile Lake Nature Area Location: Fergus Falls, MN Management: Fergus Falls Fish & Game Club Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Grass Environment: Prairie, Marsh Degree of Difficulty: Easy Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge Dog Rules: None posted Up in my hometown of Fergus Falls, MN, just an hour shy of Fargo off I-94, there is a trail system through the prairie hosted by the Fish & Game Club. This is Mica’s favorite place by far! He absolutely lov

This is a companion trail guide to an article originally featured on SidewalkDog.com on October 19, 2016. Afton State Park Location: Hastings, MN Management: Minnesota State Parks and Trails Trail Surface: Paved and Natural. Dirt, grass. Environment: Prairie, Deciduous Forest, St Croix River, Bluffs Degree of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum Recommended Gear: A GOOD pair of

Donie Galloway Park / North River Park Location: Champlin, MN Management: City of Champlin Trail Surface: Grass, Dirt. Well-groomed. Environment: Open grass fields, River, Deciduous Woods Degree of Difficulty: Very Easy, all level ground Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, Pick up Waste All the BEST Things! There are many reasons why my dogs' absolute favorite place to go is Donie Galloway Park, and it sounds something like:

Location: Medora, ND Management: Maah Daah Hey Trail Association Trail Surface: Deep Sand, Hard-Packed Dirt Environment: Sparse grassland, rocky outcroppings, bluffs, !river water crossing Degree of Difficulty: Moderate (very little elevation change, but difficult trail surface) Cell Phone Reception: Good Parking: 5 – 6 spaces, no charge, usually vacancies Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash Trail Markers: Turtle symbol on a vertical post. Notch on post indicates trail. Next marker vis

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve Location: Rogers, MN Management: Three Rivers Park District Trail Surface: Sand, Dirt Environment: Prairie, Oak Forest, Small lakes and ponds (no water crossings) Degree of Difficulty: Easy / Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash My Favorite! Far and away one of my favorite hiking destinations, Crow-Hassan Regional Park encompasses sprawling prairie with wooded areas and ponds. There are 10 mil