Love Nature, Hate Bugs? Visit These 6 Minnesota State Parks

If you're looking to get out and enjoy the great outdoors this year but you don't want to turn into one big bug bite, here's some good news from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

While just about all of us enjoy getting outside during our fleeting warm weather months here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, nobody enjoys getting all bitten up by Minnesota's state bird, I mean, mosquitoes, and other bugs, right?

We all probably realize there are a lot of mosquitoes in Minnesota, right? Not just the number of them in your backyard here in the Bold North, mind you, but the total number of mosquito species. Minnesota's own Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) says there are literally THOUSANDS of species of mosquitoes:

There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide and here in Minnesota we have about 51 different species that are established. Only about half of those local species are considered a nuisance meaning that they bite humans or can vector diseases.

Luckily, there are a few of Minnesota's beautiful state parks where the mosquitoes and bugs aren't quite so bad. So just *how* can a state park in the North Star State not have mosquitoes? Well, first, that's not entirely true. While the DNR says they can't promise there won't be ANY mosquitoes, these state parks-- thanks to their location in southeast Minnesota-- most likely have less.

What's up with that? Well, you can thank the glaciers that once covered the upper Midwest millions of years ago. When those glaciers last moved through, for some reason, they avoided much of what's now southeast Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin. That's also the reason there aren't many natural lakes in these parts.

ALSO INTERESTING: Here's the Official Mosquito Forecast for Minnesota This Year

But that lack of lakes is good news when it comes to having fewer mosquitoes. That's because mosquitoes like stagnant warm water to reproduce. And, without any lakes, the environment in these parks isn't as attractive to those blasted bugs. As the DNR says, "these particular parks tend to have fewer biting insects because of their geologic and meteorologic conditions."

According to the Minnesota DNR, these six state parks are where you want to head if you're looking to avoid those blasted bugs:

Beaver Creek Valley State Park in Caledonia

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park in Forestville

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Frontenac State Park in Frontenac

Great River Bluffs State Park in Winona

John A. Latsch State Park in Altura

Whitewater State Park, also in Altura

The DNR cautions that while they can't promise that there won't be *any* bugs or mosquitoes in those parks (so, you'll still likely want to bring the bug spray), at least the mosquitoes shouldn't be *quite* as bad.

On the other hand, instead of battling those perky insects, perhaps you'd like to spend the summer inside. If so, you'll want to check out this incredible home in Minnesota that's actually more like a castle, with plenty of space for you to avoid those bugs. Keep scrolling to check out the pics!

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