Maplewood State Park
10,000-acre Maplewood State Park is blessed with a peaceful natural beauty that encompasses more than 20 lakes interspersed among hilly woodlands, and an extensive trail system. From the crest of Hallaway Hill the view sweeps over a green-blue world of lakes, fields and woods. Boats below on Lake Lida are like water spiders, gliding swiftly across the lake, leaving widening wakes behind them. It’s peaceful and breezy up here, the kind of place that is tailor-made for relaxed trail lunches and lazy afternoons under blue skies and white, puffy clouds. Maplewood State Park is located seven miles east of Pelican Rapids just off the Otter Trail Scenic Byway in Minnesota’s Ottertail County.
Fall colors bring families for an afternoon hike
Equestrians can enjoy more than 20 miles of horse trails
Maplewood in the fall is a photographer’s paradise
Fall splendor on the park’s main drive
Trails
The trail network might be Maplewood’s best asset. 20 miles of horseback riding trails, laid out in loops, ramble through the park. A century or more fades away as you cross ridgelines and amble into valleys that have changed little since pre-settlement times.Hikers are also welcome on the riding paths and on the interpretive loops and connecting trails and with 25 miles of hiking trails there’s room to roam. Take a dip in the lake at the swimming beach after a long hike. The North Country Trail, a 4,600-mile footpath between North Dakota and New York State passes through the park on existing park trails.
Fall colors bring families for an afternoon hike
Enjoying a ride through the fall colors
The hills and valleys attract many hikers
Camping/Lodging
Fishing/Boating
Winter
Five miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are a delight to ski. Adventurous skiers can break their own trail on an additional five miles of ungroomed, backcountry trails. Snowshoeing is permitted everywhere but on groomed trails. The park offers a one-half mile groomed snowshoe route. A warming house is available for those venturing out in the cold. More about skiing at Maplewood State Park
Maplewood’s camper cabins are just off the ski trails
