Lake Maria State Park IPA: [m? ?ra? ?] is a 1,580-acre (6.4 km2) Minnesota state park west of Monticello. The park was created in 1963 to provide a wilderness area within easy drive of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The park's amenities are designed primarily for hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders and consequently use remains light compared to other state parks around the metro area.