Father Hennepin State Park
- 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(320) 676-8763
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Park alertATTENTION VISITORS: Campgrounds are now closed for the fall/winter season. Campgrounds will re-open in the spring, starting in late April, 2027. Day… (more)
ATTENTION VISITORS: Campgrounds are now closed for the fall/winter season. Campgrounds will re-open in the spring, starting in late April, 2027. Day use and foot travel are welcome year-round, however vehicle access to much of the park will be restricted by a locked gate, starting November 15th. Once the gate is closed, you may park in the turn-around, in the front of the residence, and then travel by foot into the park. The gate will re-open in spring, after sufficient snow melt. ATVs, UTVs and non street-legal dirt bikes may NOT be operated within the state park, as per Minnesota Statute 6100.1900. They must be kept on a trailer at all times in the state park. Parking is only allowed in designated areas. Updated Sunday, October 18th, 2026.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
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Covering about 285 acres, Father Hennepin State Park lies in Mille Lacs County, about 20 miles northwest of Mora.
Visitors come for swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking. The official site lists about 4.5 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Overnight options include 3 camping areas, with 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. | — |
| Other — Summer | Mon–Wed | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Thu–Sun | 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | — | |
| Other — Spring and fall | Daily | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Other | Winter: The ranger station is closed and roads are unplowed. The park is open to foot travel only. | ||
| Campground | Lakeview, Maple Grove, and Group Camp Campgrounds close at 4 pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. During the open season, reservations for both the Lakeview and Maple Grove Campgrounds include access to a shower building located in the center of each campground. The Group Camp is RUSTIC camping, with pit toilets and a hand pump for water. Campers in the group camp do NOT have access to showers. | ||
| Park | Showers: The Campground shower houses will close at 4pm, on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. Drinking water: Drinking water is available at the dump station, and throughout the Campgrounds. Water in the campgrounds will be turned off on Monday, October 19th, 2026. Electric sites: The park has a total of 51 electric sites between two campgrounds. There are 20/30/50 outlets at each electrical site. Campgrounds: Lakeview, Maple Grove, and Group Camp Campgrounds close at 4 pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. During the open season, reservations for both the Lakeview and Maple Grove Campgrounds include access to a shower building located in the center of each campground. The Group Camp is RUSTIC camping, with pit toilets and a hand pump for water. Campers in the group camp do NOT have access to showers. Rentals: The track chair at Father Hennepin State Park will be available this summer, most days between 10 am and 3:30 pm. Call the park office for details. Programs: Interpretive programing will be available on most weekends during the summer. See the online Events Calendar for program details. Buildings: Picnic shelters are available to rent in the spring, summer and fall. Call or visit the park office for details. Water: Water is on currently at the Lakeview Campground, Maple Grove Campground, picnic areas and dump station. Water in the campgrounds, picnic areas and dump station will be turned off on Monday, October 19th, 2026. Thereafter, drinking water will only be available at the shop building. It is best to bring your own drinking water during the off season. Trails: The park has 4.5 miles of hiking trails. Bathrooms: Vault toilets are always open. Dump station: The dump station will close at 4pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. RVs: The park does not have sites with water and sewer hookups. If you have a very large camper or RV, please make sure your vehicle and camping unit can fit on the driveway of your site. Site lengths are listed on the reservations page. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Summer, Monday through Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Spring and fall: Daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Winter: The ranger station is closed and roads are unplowed. The park is open to foot travel only.
Lakeview, Maple Grove, and Group Camp Campgrounds close at 4 pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. During the open season, reservations for both the Lakeview and Maple Grove Campgrounds include access to a shower building located in the center of each campground. The Group Camp is RUSTIC camping, with pit toilets and a hand pump for water. Campers in the group camp do NOT have access to showers.
Showers: The Campground shower houses will close at 4pm, on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. Drinking water: Drinking water is available at the dump station, and throughout the Campgrounds. Water in the campgrounds will be turned off on Monday, October 19th, 2026. Electric sites: The park has a total of 51 electric sites between two campgrounds. There are 20/30/50 outlets at each electrical site. Campgrounds: Lakeview, Maple Grove, and Group Camp Campgrounds close at 4 pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. During the open season, reservations for both the Lakeview and Maple Grove Campgrounds include access to a shower building located in the center of each campground. The Group Camp is RUSTIC camping, with pit toilets and a hand pump for water. Campers in the group camp do NOT have access to showers. Rentals: The track chair at Father Hennepin State Park will be available this summer, most days between 10 am and 3:30 pm. Call the park office for details. Programs: Interpretive programing will be available on most weekends during the summer. See the online Events Calendar for program details. Buildings: Picnic shelters are available to rent in the spring, summer and fall. Call or visit the park office for details. Water: Water is on currently at the Lakeview Campground, Maple Grove Campground, picnic areas and dump station. Water in the campgrounds, picnic areas and dump station will be turned off on Monday, October 19th, 2026. Thereafter, drinking water will only be available at the shop building. It is best to bring your own drinking water during the off season. Trails: The park has 4.5 miles of hiking trails. Bathrooms: Vault toilets are always open. Dump station: The dump station will close at 4pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. RVs: The park does not have sites with water and sewer hookups. If you have a very large camper or RV, please make sure your vehicle and camping unit can fit on the driveway of your site. Site lengths are listed on the reservations page.
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
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
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 two campgrounds totaling 103 wooded drive-in sites. | — | ShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from the front of the tow vehicle to the rear of the vehicle being towed. | — |
| Electric Sites The park has 51 electric sites. | — | ElectricShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from the front of the tow vehicle to the rear of the vehicle being towed. | — |
| Group Camp The park has six seasonal group sites. All group campsites are located 75' to 450' from parking and close at the end of October.
Sites #3 and #6 accommodate up to 25 people. Site #2 accommodates up to 20 people. Sites #1 and #5 accommodate up to 15 people. Site #4 accommodates up to 12 people. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites: The park has two campgrounds totaling 103 wooded drive-in sites.
Electric Sites: The park has 51 electric sites.
RV Length Limit: The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from the front of the tow vehicle to the rear of the vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites — 2 accessible sites: The Lakeview Campground has two accessible drive-in sites with electric hookup.
Group Camp: The park has six seasonal group sites. All group campsites are located 75' to 450' from parking and close at the end of October.
Sites #3 and #6 accommodate up to 25 people. Site #2 accommodates up to 20 people. Sites #1 and #5 accommodate up to 15 people. Site #4 accommodates up to 12 people.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingFishingPicnickingSwimmingBoating
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible (summer) | 0.75 mi | — | 0.75 milesAccessibleAccessible |
| Hiking (summer) | — | — | The park has four and a half miles of hiking trails.Hiking |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park.Snowshoe |
Trail descriptions from the park
Summer — Accessible — 0.75 miles
Summer — Hiking: The park has four and a half miles of hiking trails.
Winter — Snowshoe: Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park.
Trail conditions: The park has 4.5 miles of hiking trails.
Swimming
Swimming Beach: The park has a swimming beach along Mille Lacs Lake.
Boating and paddling
Boat Access: The park has drive-in boat access to Mille Lacs Lake.
Boat Docks: Docks are located in the Lakeview Campground and are for camper use only.
Fishing
Fishing Pier: The park has two accessible fishing piers.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Group facilities
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Swimming beach
- Marina or boat slips
- Fishing pier
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Accessibility
- Accessible fishing
✓ 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
- Accessible fishing
Accessible Sites — 2 accessible sites: The Lakeview Campground has two accessible drive-in sites with electric hookup.
Showers: The campgrounds have accessible shower buildings open seasonally.
Flush Toilets: The campgrounds have accessible restroom buildings open seasonally.
Fishing Pier: The park has two accessible fishing piers.
Picnic Shelter: The Beach Picnic Area has an accessible open shelter. The Lakeview picnic area has an accessible enclosed shelter with a fireplace, electricity and a deck overlooking the lake. Call the park to reserve.
Accessible — 0.75 miles
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
- Mailing, P.O. Box 397, Isle, MN 56342, Shipping, 41294 Father Hennepin Park Road
Isle, MN 56342 - Nearest town
- Mora — about 20 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 46.1380, -93.4805
- Phone
- (320) 676-8763
- fatherhennepin.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From the town of Isle, go one mile west on Highway 27 to the park entrance.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 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)
- Photo: Mille Lacs Lake, Father Hennepin State Park, Minnesota, September 9, 2013 (10551331306).jpg — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Mike Goad
“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