Minnesota is home to more than a few delightful sculpture parks and rock gardens. Most are in the southern half of the state, drawing in visitors who live in and around the Twin Cities metro area. But there’s one rock garden that’s a little more remote. Way up in northern Minnesota, the state’s only national park is home to the most unique rock garden you’ll find anywhere. Read on to learn all about Ellsworth Rock Garden at Voyageurs National Park.
Voyageurs National Park is Minnesota’s only national park. It’s in the far northern region of the state, near the town of International Falls.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Though the park is beautiful, few Minnesotans visit it. The park’s 218,000 acres can only be accessed by boat.
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But if you ever get the chance to visit, it’s a must-see national park. It provides access to several different lakes, including Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point.
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Despite the lakes being the star of the show, there are other things to see in Minnesota’s only national park. Ellsworth Rock Gardens is found on the northern shore of Kabetogama Lake.
DRGilbert/TripAdvisor
This beautiful and unique Minnesota rock garden has been there since the 1940s when a man named Jack Ellsworth first created it.
OTR_Again_IM/TripAdvisor
Ellsworth used the existing rock outcrop to create a beautiful, terraced garden. He worked on the garden for 20 years.
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When Ellsworth passed away, the rock garden was abandoned. When it was later uncovered, it became one of the most popular places in Voyageurs National Park.
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The original garden was full of flowers, including thousands of lilies and other flowers. This created an unforgettable experience for those who visited in the garden’s early days.
Anjana Menon/Google
Ellsworth also included many beautiful and balanced rock sculptures. Small stones stacked on huge boulders created a simply magical sight for visitors to behold. Even today, visitors are impressed by the care and skill it took to create this beautiful rock garden.
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Voyageurs National Park is so remote that not many Minnesotans have visited. Have you ever been there? Did you visit the Ellsworth Rock Gardens? If you’re looking for a rock garden excursion a little closer to home, check out the Minnesota rock garden that is home to a little Statue of Liberty.
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Address: Voyageurs National Park, Kabetogama Township, MN 56669, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Voyageurs National Park February 02, 2022 Jennifer Young What are some of Voyageurs National Park’s most popular activities? Voyageurs National Park is one of Minnesota’s main attractions. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll certainly want to check out this Minnesota state park. It offers a variety of recreational activities, and you’ll never run out of things to do. From hiking and fishing, to boating and swimming, there’s something or everyone. There’s no denying that Voyageurs National Park belongs on every outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list, and these activities confirm it. In addition to Ellsworth Rock Garden, what’s another popular garden in Minnesota? Ellsworth Rock Garden, which is located in Voyageurs National Park, is one of Minnesota’s most unique and popular gardens. Another popular garden in Mississippi that attracts thousands of visitors each year is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,200-acre horticultural garden and arboretum. Founded in 1958, it’s one of Minnesota’s most beautiful outdoor attractions. It features a great collection of gardens, several rare plants, and accessible trails. In 2019, USA Today declared it the best botanical garden in North America. A visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is also a great place for a day trip. What state park in Minnesota has its very own bison herd? Minnesota is home to 66 state parks. While each of them are unique in their own way, there’s something quite special about Blue Mounds State Park in Luvurne. What makes this 1,567-acre state park truly stand out is its bison herd, which can be seen grazing on the park’s property. In addition to its bison herd, another reason Blue Mounds State Park is unique is because it’s a great place for rock climbing. Birdwatchers are also attracted to this state park, as well as hikers. Without a doubt, here’s no other place in Minnesota quite like Blue Mounds State Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Voyageurs National Park
February 02, 2022
Jennifer Young
What are some of Voyageurs National Park’s most popular activities? Voyageurs National Park is one of Minnesota’s main attractions. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll certainly want to check out this Minnesota state park. It offers a variety of recreational activities, and you’ll never run out of things to do. From hiking and fishing, to boating and swimming, there’s something or everyone. There’s no denying that Voyageurs National Park belongs on every outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list, and these activities confirm it. In addition to Ellsworth Rock Garden, what’s another popular garden in Minnesota? Ellsworth Rock Garden, which is located in Voyageurs National Park, is one of Minnesota’s most unique and popular gardens. Another popular garden in Mississippi that attracts thousands of visitors each year is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,200-acre horticultural garden and arboretum. Founded in 1958, it’s one of Minnesota’s most beautiful outdoor attractions. It features a great collection of gardens, several rare plants, and accessible trails. In 2019, USA Today declared it the best botanical garden in North America. A visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is also a great place for a day trip. What state park in Minnesota has its very own bison herd? Minnesota is home to 66 state parks. While each of them are unique in their own way, there’s something quite special about Blue Mounds State Park in Luvurne. What makes this 1,567-acre state park truly stand out is its bison herd, which can be seen grazing on the park’s property. In addition to its bison herd, another reason Blue Mounds State Park is unique is because it’s a great place for rock climbing. Birdwatchers are also attracted to this state park, as well as hikers. Without a doubt, here’s no other place in Minnesota quite like Blue Mounds State Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Voyageurs National Park is one of Minnesota’s main attractions. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll certainly want to check out this Minnesota state park. It offers a variety of recreational activities, and you’ll never run out of things to do. From hiking and fishing, to boating and swimming, there’s something or everyone. There’s no denying that Voyageurs National Park belongs on every outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list, and these activities confirm it.
In addition to Ellsworth Rock Garden, what’s another popular garden in Minnesota?
Ellsworth Rock Garden, which is located in Voyageurs National Park, is one of Minnesota’s most unique and popular gardens. Another popular garden in Mississippi that attracts thousands of visitors each year is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,200-acre horticultural garden and arboretum. Founded in 1958, it’s one of Minnesota’s most beautiful outdoor attractions. It features a great collection of gardens, several rare plants, and accessible trails. In 2019, USA Today declared it the best botanical garden in North America. A visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is also a great place for a day trip.
What state park in Minnesota has its very own bison herd?
Minnesota is home to 66 state parks. While each of them are unique in their own way, there’s something quite special about Blue Mounds State Park in Luvurne. What makes this 1,567-acre state park truly stand out is its bison herd, which can be seen grazing on the park’s property. In addition to its bison herd, another reason Blue Mounds State Park is unique is because it’s a great place for rock climbing. Birdwatchers are also attracted to this state park, as well as hikers. Without a doubt, here’s no other place in Minnesota quite like Blue Mounds State Park.
