Tettegouche

Well, its mid February and its cold, too cold for me to be outside, so I thought I reminisce about what has become my favorite state park, Tettegouche. Tettegouche State Park is located along the North Shore of Lake Superior approximately 90 minutes North of Duluth.

Tettegouche has something for everyone, and in my case some of the best hiking in the Upper Midwest. The park has miles of shore on Lake Superior as well as many inland lakes. Bean Lake is shown here. Hiking trails circumnavigate the park passing ridges, lakes, and even a beaver dam. Some of the least visited areas are the most spectacular. I would recommend that everyone who loves the outdoors make it a point to hike every mile of this park. The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) winds through the park from Beaver Bay to State Highway 1. I would recommend parking at the Beaver Bay trail head (just West of town) and catching the Superior Shuttle to Highway 1. Then hike the 12 or so miles back to your vehicle. This will be one of the best day hikes you will ever find in Minnesota. Additional day hikes will take you to overlooks and beaver habitat in the parks back country, the highest falls entirely in Minnesota, or the rugged ridges overlooking Lake Superior.

In addition outstanding hiking, Tettegouche also offers car and walk in camping, backcountry camping along the SHT, fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, fishing, a historic logging village, as well as some interpretive activities.

Many times I have been asked what my favorite park is, and I don't mince words. Tettegouche is it. If you have never been there, make plans for this summer. You can reserve campsites 90 days in advance and they do fill up. I recommend trying to get one of the walk-in sites. And, oh yeah, there are black bears, so don't be stupid...

I'm sure I will be revisiting this topic and park again in the future.

So how often will I post?

Interesting question. Keeping a blog isn't easy, and takes some time. My goal is to post at least weekly, and more importantly document my visits to State Parks as they happen. I also plan to start advertising this blog once I have about 20 content pieces up. I am hoping to have some guest columns written.

I hope people send me leads, topics, and interesting stories that will lead me to future posts. And of course there is the real reason for blogs, I want to get free stuff, so come on Corporate America, send it this way...

What makes a park great to me?

Obviously this has different answers for different people. It is entirely my intend to have an opinionated blog, so I should explain what it is that I base my options on. To me the scenic beauty, available camping and hiking, as well as the general upkeep of the park are important. I do little fishing or bird watching, but I understand that might be the most important variable for other people. Over crowding is generally a big negative for me.

When I rate parks I will try to give an explanation of why I rate them in a particular way. I will also try to provide an overview of aspects to parks that may interest other people, but not me. One observation that should hold true, is that if a park does not offer great hiking, I probably won't rate it too highly.

It is also my intent to have conversations with volunteers and employees at different parks and discuss those conservations here. I believe that currently there are 72 or 73 state parks and I have been to about 60. I will be visiting the rest, and revisiting many more.

Minnesota State Parks Website

Here is the link to the official DNR Minnesota State Parks page. As government websites go it is so/so. I find some information on here can get dated, but overall this is a great resource. Also when events are planned, they can be found on this page.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html

Welcome to the Minnesota State Parks Blog

Hello, my name is Michael Wojcik and I am a supporter of Minnesota's State Parks and other outdoor public places. I also feel that is my responsibility to protect, expand, and make better these places for future generations. I have been to most Minnesota State Parks and soon will have been to them all.

What I would like to start doing with this blog is begin an archive of places I have been, people I have met, opinions I have developed and challenges I see. I hope to post frequently enough to develop a following of other like minded individuals, who can further contribute ideas and content.

Eventually, I would like to publish an opinionated guide to the Minnesota State Parks that will include much of the information that is contained here. Any and all feedback would be appreciated.