Home of the largest peat bog in the contiguous U.S., this park is full of unique nature like carnivorous plants and orchids. Divided into two sections, the northern section contains the big bog and most of the hiking trails while the southern section contains the campground and a beach on Upper Red Lake -- the water is stained a rusty red color, truly a sight to behold! Adjacent to the park office is a fire tower that you can climb for panoramic views extending for miles and miles. Camping is available in the southern section at a developed campground or in one of six camper cabins.
As mentioned, most of the trails are in the northern section, including a mile long accessible boardwalk into the big bog. The other two trails in the northern section, the Old Caribou Camp Trail and Marsh Vista Trail, provide marsh views and travel through an island of forest in the middle of the bog. The trails in the southern section travel along the beach of Upper Red Lake and to the old marina and are much shorter than the other trails in the park.
Hikes
Big Bog State Recreation Area, Minnesota
★★★★☆(4/5)
Big Bog State Recreation Area, Minnesota
★★★★☆(4/5)
Big Bog State Recreation Area, Minnesota
★★★★☆(4/5)