My favorite state parks are those that are obscure, hard to get to, and have less foot traffic.

You’d be hard-pressed to find another that fits the bill as well as Franz Jevne State Park in Birchdale.

The 118-acre park is located on the south banks of Rainy River (which demarks the Canada–United States border) between International Falls and Baudette.

Secluded and peaceful, you’ll find picturesque views of Ontario and the Rainy River where there are a host of things to do as far away from the city as you can get.

There are short, rocky hiking paths that lead you to a picnic area that overlooks Sault Rapids, a low, rocky outcrop in the otherwise serene river.

A boat launch immediately at the entrance offers access to the river for fishing, best-loved for walleye, northern, smallmouth bass, and sturgeon.

If you stick around long enough, you might see beaver, timber wolf, moose, woodpeckers, pelicans, and bald eagles

A quick note on the history: The park is named for Franz Jevne, a lawyer in International Falls and later, in Minneapolis. Late in 1966, the sons of Franz Jevne offered to donate the acreage to the state; the park was created in 1967 by the Minnesota Legislature.

Have you ever been to Franz Jevne?