Maplewood State Park

About Maplewood State Park

The maple forest turns bright orange, gold and red in autumn, and water lovers have access to eight large lakes and many ponds, as well as places to swim, relax and swim. Lake Lida is the largest lake in the park, with a depth of 1,000 feet and an area of 2,500 hectares.

An extensive network of paths attracts hikers, mountain bikers, cyclists, bird watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Take scenic routes to observe wildlife or camp in one of the park's bees, such as the Blue Ridge Trail or Mountain Trail.

Human settlement in the area dates back at least 6000 years and artifacts have been found throughout the park. Most of the artifacts, however, indicate that the site was occupied 900 to 1200 years ago and that the inhabitants were mainly hunters at that time. Records of modern settlements begin in the mid-1880s, when the original survey was conducted.

Subsequent studies concluded that the hilly, lake-dotted terrain was more suitable for recreation than agriculture. After the foundation of the community of Lida in Maplewood in 1900, the population rose to 1,167. The idea of creating a park on the site dates back to 1923, when it was originally proposed to the State Parliament.

The hills, which were part of the glacial moraine of Alexandria, were deposited during the last ice age. The park became a reality on July 1, 1998, when Minnesota legislators established Maplewood State Park. Maple is located on the north side of Lake Superior, south of St. Paul, Minnesota.

The highest hill of the park approaches an altitude of 1,600 feet, and the relief is abrupt, with changes of 300 feet in less than a mile.

The Lida Basin was formed when the last glaciers retreated, leaving ice in the valley. As the ice melted, open pools formed, and the lake could or might not have formed.

Park trips at dawn and dusk are a good time to see deer, and beavers are active around the lake. Raccoons, squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks are common and frequent beavers that nest in the park's varied landscape.

The park also houses a colonial breeding ground and can be seen from the park, as well as a number of historic buildings, such as the Old Courthouse and the Colonial House.

Human settlement in the area dates back at least 6000 years and artifacts have been found throughout the park. Most of the artifacts, however, indicate that the site was occupied 900 to 1200 years ago and that the inhabitants were mainly hunters at that time. Records of modern settlement began around the mid-1880s, when the original survey was conducted.

Subsequent studies concluded that the hilly, lake-dotted terrain was more suitable for recreation than agriculture. After the foundation of the community of Lida in Maplewood in 1900, the population rose to 1,167. The idea of creating a park on the site dates back to 1923, when it was originally proposed in the State Parliament.

The park became a reality when Minnesota legislators created Maplewood State Park as part of the Natural Resources Conservation Act of 1934. The park entrance is located at the intersection of East Main Street and Maple Street, south of Interstate 94 and north of Lake Superior.