Blue Mounds State Park
Notice: Park alert — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(507) 283-6050
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Closure Park alertIf you're approaching the park from the town of the Luverne, be advised that Highway 75 is closed for construction in town. MNDOT is detouring… (more)
If you're approaching the park from the town of the Luverne, be advised that Highway 75 is closed for construction in town. MNDOT is detouring through town on Hatting St, Freeman Ave, Main St, and Blue Mound Avenue and 131st St, but if you're pulling a camper from the east or west, you may wish to use the alternative routes shown on this map.
Posted by the park 2026-08-17. Official alert
Overview
Blue Mounds State Park is a 1,585-acre park in Rock County, about 5 miles north of Luverne.
Popular activities here are rock climbing, historic sites, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 15 miles, according to the park. For overnight stays there are 4 camping areas (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Park | Bathrooms: Flush toilets are located in the main campground and are closed for the season. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. Pit toilets are available throughout the park and open year-round. A seasonal portable toilet is available in the Eagle Rock Vista parking lot until early autumn. Trails: The park has 15 miles of hiking trails. The paved bike trail in the park connects to a system of bike trails managed by Rock County and the City of Luverne, totaling more than 15 miles of paved trails. More information about local bike trails can be found here: https://www.cityofluverne.org/trails In winter, the park has 2 miles of groomed snowmobile trail and 1 mile of hiking trail along park roads. Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park. Trails are open for hiking but not maintained in the winter. Ski trails are not groomed in winter. The park trail shelter is open year round and has a wood stove for public use. Electric sites: The campground has 51 electric sites, with 30 and 50amp hook ups. Programs: Prairie and Bison tours have suspended for the season. They will resume in late May 2027, running Thursdays - Sundays. During the summer season, tour reservations are recommended and can be made 120 days in advance. Visit the tour webpage at mndnr.gov/tours for available times and more information. Click on "Events Calendar" for other upcoming scheduled programs in the park. Rentals: The City of Luverne has a free bicycle loan program and e-bike rentals. More details can be found at cityofluverne.org/trails. Drinking water: Water is off for the season. Potable water is available at a spigot outside the park shop. During the warmer seasons, drinking water is available in the campground, group camp, picnic area, and cart-in campground. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. There is not drinking water available at Eagle Rock Vista or Cliffline trailheads. Plan ahead and bring water when hiking in those areas. Other: WiFi is available in the campground from April 1 to Oct 20. Water: Water is off for the season in the campground, group camp, and cart-in campground. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. RVs: Gravel pads are available for RV campers. Dump station: Water at the dump station is off for the season. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. Showers: Showers are located in the main campground and are closed for the season. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. Campgrounds: The campgrounds are open year round but may not be plowed when heavy snow persists. Contact the park for current conditions. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. when staff are available.
The campgrounds are open year round but may not be plowed when heavy snow persists. Contact the park for current conditions.
Bathrooms: Flush toilets are located in the main campground and are closed for the season. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. Pit toilets are available throughout the park and open year-round. A seasonal portable toilet is available in the Eagle Rock Vista parking lot until early autumn. Trails: The park has 15 miles of hiking trails. The paved bike trail in the park connects to a system of bike trails managed by Rock County and the City of Luverne, totaling more than 15 miles of paved trails. More information about local bike trails can be found here: https://www.cityofluverne.org/trails In winter, the park has 2 miles of groomed snowmobile trail and 1 mile of hiking trail along park roads. Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park. Trails are open for hiking but not maintained in the winter. Ski trails are not groomed in winter. The park trail shelter is open year round and has a wood stove for public use. Electric sites: The campground has 51 electric sites, with 30 and 50amp hook ups. Programs: Prairie and Bison tours have suspended for the season. They will resume in late May 2027, running Thursdays - Sundays. During the summer season, tour reservations are recommended and can be made 120 days in advance. Visit the tour webpage at mndnr.gov/tours for available times and more information. Click on "Events Calendar" for other upcoming scheduled programs in the park. Rentals: The City of Luverne has a free bicycle loan program and e-bike rentals. More details can be found at cityofluverne.org/trails. Drinking water: Water is off for the season. Potable water is available at a spigot outside the park shop. During the warmer seasons, drinking water is available in the campground, group camp, picnic area, and cart-in campground. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. There is not drinking water available at Eagle Rock Vista or Cliffline trailheads. Plan ahead and bring water when hiking in those areas. Other: WiFi is available in the campground from April 1 to Oct 20. Water: Water is off for the season in the campground, group camp, and cart-in campground. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. RVs: Gravel pads are available for RV campers. Dump station: Water at the dump station is off for the season. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. Showers: Showers are located in the main campground and are closed for the season. Anticipated water on is May 7, 2027. Campgrounds: The campgrounds are open year round but may not be plowed when heavy snow persists. Contact the park for current conditions.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a leash six feet or shorter (or in a portable enclosure) and personally attended; only service animals in buildings, lodging, camper cabins, yurts, tipis, tours and beach areas.
Statewide rule from Minnesota's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
No advanced camping reservations are needed in late fall, winter or early spring, but campers must use the reservation system to register on the day of arrival if the park office is not open.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites The park has 71 drive-in sites across three campground loops near the wildlife viewing pond. | — | ShowersRVs up to The max RV Length is 50 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle towed. | — |
| Electric Sites The park has 52 electric sites, one of which is accessible. | — | ElectricShowersRVs up to The max RV Length is 50 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle towed. | — |
| Cart-in Sites The park has 14 cart-in sites suitable for small tents. Cart-in sites are located 100-300 feet from parking. Carts are provided to haul camping gear. | — | Showers | — |
| Group Camp The group campsite accommodates up to 50 people and is available seasonally. Adjacent to Mound Creek, the group campsite has vault toilets and pressurized water. There's no vehicle access, but the carry-in distance is a short walk from parking. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites: The park has 71 drive-in sites across three campground loops near the wildlife viewing pond.
Electric Sites: The park has 52 electric sites, one of which is accessible.
RV Length Limit: The max RV Length is 50 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle towed.
Accessible Sites: The park has two accessible drive-in sites. One has electric hookup. Each is adjacent to accessible toilets and showers.
Cart-in Sites: The park has 14 cart-in sites suitable for small tents. Cart-in sites are located 100-300 feet from parking. Carts are provided to haul camping gear.
Group Camp: The group campsite accommodates up to 50 people and is available seasonally. Adjacent to Mound Creek, the group campsite has vault toilets and pressurized water. There's no vehicle access, but the carry-in distance is a short walk from parking.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursRock climbingWildlife viewing and birdingCampingPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowmobile (winter) | 2 mi | — | 2 milesSnowmobile |
| Other (winter) | — | — | The park has 13 miles of winter hiking trails.Other |
| Self-Guided (summer) | — | — | Trail begins at Eagle Rock Vista and leads you through bur oaks along the cliffs for a mile.Self-Guided |
| Hiking (summer) | — | — | The park has 13 miles of easy to moderate hiking trails give hikers a rare opportunity to experience Minnesota's tallgrass prairie.Hiking |
| Paved Bike (summer) | — | — | The park has two miles of paved trail connected to an additional three miles of paved trail that leads into nearby Luverne.Paved Bike |
Trail descriptions from the park
Winter — Snowmobile — 2 miles
Winter — Other: The park has 13 miles of winter hiking trails.
Summer — Self-Guided: Trail begins at Eagle Rock Vista and leads you through bur oaks along the cliffs for a mile.
Summer — Hiking: The park has 13 miles of easy to moderate hiking trails give hikers a rare opportunity to experience Minnesota's tallgrass prairie.
Summer — Paved Bike: The park has two miles of paved trail connected to an additional three miles of paved trail that leads into nearby Luverne.
Trail conditions: The park has 15 miles of hiking trails. The paved bike trail in the park connects to a system of bike trails managed by Rock County and the City of Luverne, totaling more than 15 miles of paved trails. More information about local bike trails can be found here: cityofluverne.org/trails In winter, the park has 2 miles of groomed snowmobile trail and 1 mile of hiking trail along park roads. Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park. Trails are open for hiking but not maintained in the winter. Ski trails are not groomed in winter. The park trail shelter is open year round and has a wood stove for public use.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Park or camp store
- Group facilities
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Electric Sites: The park has 52 electric sites, one of which is accessible.
Accessible Sites: The park has two accessible drive-in sites. One has electric hookup. Each is adjacent to accessible toilets and showers.
Showers: The showers are accessible and available seasonally in the main campground.
Flush Toilets: The flush toilets are accessible and available seasonally in the main campground.
Vault Toilets: The vault toilets are accessible and available year-round throughout park.
Picnic Shelter: The enclosed shelter in the walk-in campground is accessible. Water is located nearby. Call the park to reserve.
All-Terrain Track Chair: One all-terrain, electric powered chair that may be used on designated trails within the park.
- Reserve the chair
- Map of designated trails
- Learn more about track chairs
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 1410 161st Street
Luverne, MN 56156 - Nearest town
- Luverne — about 5 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 43.7177, -96.1926
- Phone
- (507) 283-6050
- bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From the town of Luverne, go north 4 miles on Minnesota Hwy. 75. Turn east on County Road 20 and go 1 mile to park entrance.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Aug 17, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology