The Cacti of Blue Mounds State Park, Minnesota

Cacti in Minnesota?

As you walk through the scenic landscapes of Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Minnesota, a surprise encounter awaits you - an amazing display of Prickly Pear Cactus. Yes, you read that correctly, these desert resilient plants thrive here.

We were taking a family trip. The sun was shining and our family was excited to see another one of Minnesota's amazing state parks. The view as we walked from the parking lot was so beautiful. Prairie lands, wildflowers, beautiful long native grasses. Openness, as far as the eye could see. Eagle Rock Vista is just stunning with Sioux Quartzite cliffs, Bison grazing in the distance, and the author, Frederick Manfred's home or the Manfred House is being used as the interpretive center, an historic and culturally significant site, which lies built into the Sioux Quartzite. So we take all of this in and walk into the park.

Awestruck, we walk through a landscape of long prairie grasses, and pools of rock and grass. Boulders became a quick draw for the kids, as their inclination towards climbing is strong.

Boulders became a quick draw for the kids, as their inclination towards climbing is strong

While navigating through the various rocky pool formations, I find my first cactus! It brought me back to memories of spending time in the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest. This park had quickly become my absolute favorite!