Are we in the dog days of summer or do those start in August? Either way, it's been a warm summer and there's not much relief in sight.. The Farmer's Almanac is calling for "unrelenting heat" in June, July, and August.

If you can't beat the heat, you might as well enjoy it by plopping down on one of the top beaches in America. Now, you probably don't think of beaches when you first think of Minnesota, but we have one of the best in the country according to one popular travel publication.

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FYI, If beaches aren't your thing you should check out Kamp Dels in Waterville, Minnesota. This waterpark features water slides and a lazy river. There's onsite camping, a driving range, mini-golf, a petting zoo, boating on the lake, and more. Learn more and get half-off day passes for a limited time here. 

Minnesota Beach Recognized As One Of The Best In The US

Travel and Leisure Magazine considered several factors including sand quality, waves, parking, and even the number of shaded areas when they created a list of the 25 best beaches in America.

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I was thinking the sands of Hawaii, California, and Florida would dominate the rankings so I was surprised to see a Minnesota beach was selected as one of the best in the country.

Until I saw which one it was. I've been several times and can confirm it is fantastic. The sand is really soft, the water is clean, and the waves are relaxing.

Minnesota Beach Recognized As One Of The Best In The US

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Travel and Leisure says: "Located on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, Park Point Beach is the world's longest freshwater sandbar. The beautiful sandy beach, complete with waves, has the feel of an ocean. It offers great views of Duluth and Lake Superior, and is known for its spectacular sunrises. A nearby playground, barbecue grills, and a ball field are all popular with visitors. Leashed dogs are also welcome."

Another cool beach in that area is Minnesota's Black Beach. Check it out below.

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 Why Is The Beach Black?

FYI, It's not really black - it's more of a charcoal color. The color comes from taconite that has been dumped into the water by mining companies and washed ashore. And, it's not a sand beach so don't expect to make any castles. The beach is made of tiny, poppyseed-sized, pieces of gravel.

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Where Is Minnesota's Black Beach?

The Black Beach is located just outside of Silver Bay, Minnesota - about an hour north of Duluth.

Most Visited State Parks In Minnesota: Is Your Favorite in the List?

Minnesota has 75 beautiful state parks. The parks have an average of 9,700,000 visitors each year. Interestingly enough, nearly 19% of park visitors come from other states and countries, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Now, my favorite State Park is Jay Cooke in Carlton, MN, but it did not break into the top 5.

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