Fort Ridgely 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
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(507) 426-7840
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 8
Alert Park alert• All campgrounds will be open through October 31 this year.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Partial closure Park alert• Water lines in the main campground, horse campground, picnic area, and horse day ride area are now closed for the season. Water is available… (more)
• Water lines in the main campground, horse campground, picnic area, and horse day ride area are now closed for the season. Water is available year-round at the spigot on the front of the park office park office and at the chalet.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Alert Park alert• An archeological survey will be taking place in both campgrounds at some point in 2027. If you have a camping reservation during that time, you may… (more)
• An archeological survey will be taking place in both campgrounds at some point in 2027. If you have a camping reservation during that time, you may be visited by a friendly archeologist during your stay. They will be digging holes in the ground and screening the dirt, looking for evidence of prior habitation.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Weather Park alert• Cell phone and satellite service in both campgrounds is very poor. Wi-Fi is available at the ranger station.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Alert Park alert• Trails are open year-round for hiking. Park staff do not monitor trail conditions daily -- please be aware of your surroundings and do not go on… (more)
• Trails are open year-round for hiking. Park staff do not monitor trail conditions daily -- please be aware of your surroundings and do not go on trails that are beyond your abilities. ATVs are NOT allowed on park roads or trails. Bikcycles and eBikes are NOT allowed on hiking or horse trails. Trails are hilly and may be slippery after rain.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Alert Park alert• The chalet is open for reservations year-round. Bathrooms at the chalet are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The upper level of the chalet… (more)
• The chalet is open for reservations year-round. Bathrooms at the chalet are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The upper level of the chalet is available by reservation only. Contact the park to make a reservation.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Alert Park alert• Reservations can also be made for our picnic shelter, amphitheater, and horse camp box stalls by contacting the ranger station.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Alert Park alert• The Fort Ridgely Historic Site including the Fort buildings, foundations and grounds, is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society, not the… (more)
• The Fort Ridgely Historic Site including the Fort buildings, foundations and grounds, is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society, not the Department of Natural Resources. It is not part of the state park. For questions regarding the Fort Site, please contact MNHS at 1-800-657-3773.
Posted by the park 2026-10-19. Official alert
Overview
Fort Ridgely State Park is a 552-acre park in Nicollet County, about 16 miles northwest of New Ulm.
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, wildlife watching, fishing, and picnicking. The official site lists about 9.3 miles of trails. Overnight options include 5 camping areas, with RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, group camping, equestrian camping, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
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. | — |
| Park | Water: Water is available year-round from a water spigot on the front of the park office building. Trails: The park has 9.3 miles of hiking trails and 13.3 miles of horse trails. Dump station: The dump station is open from mid-May through the third weekend in October. The dump station may close before that date if a hard freeze is forecast. Rentals: The upper picnic shelter and amphitheater are available for rent during the summer season. The chalet is available to rent by the day or overnight, year-round. From November 1 through April 1 the chalet is only available to rent on weekends. Contact the park to reserve. For a few weeks during fall harvest season, the farmhouse may experience an influx of Asian lady beetles. Electric sites: The park has 15 regular electric campsites, some with 30-amp and some with 50-amp service. The park also has 13 electric equestrian campsites, all with 30-amp service. Showers: Showers are available in the main campground from mid-May through the third weekend in October. Showers are available in the equestrian campground, for equestrian campers, from mid-May through the third weekend in October. Showers may be closed before that date is a hard freeze is forecast. Showers are available at the chalet for visitors that rent that building. RVs: Park has level sites with easy access. Programs: The park does not have a naturalist on staff. Programs are scheduled periodically throughout the year. Drinking water: Drinking water is available in all the campgrounds and picnic areas from late May through the third weekend in October. Water may be turned off before that date if a hard freeze is forecast. Drinking water is available year-round at the Chalet building and the park office. Bathrooms: Vault toilets are available in the main campground, picnic area, and farmhouse from April 1 through the third weekend in October. Flush toilets are available at the picnic area, main campground and equestrian campground from mid-May through the third weekend in October. Flush toilets may be closed before that date if a hard freeze is forecast. Portable toilets are available from May through mid-October at the horse day ride area. Campgrounds: Camping is available at the Main Campground April 1 through October 31. Camping is available at the Horse Campground May 1 through October 31. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
From mid-May through late October the office hours are Thurs 9-12, Fri 2-8, Sat 10-4, and Sun 10-2. There are no regular office hours from late October through mid-May.
Camping is available at the Main Campground April 1 through October 31. Camping is available at the Horse Campground May 1 through October 31.
Water: Water is available year-round from a water spigot on the front of the park office building. Trails: The park has 9.3 miles of hiking trails and 13.3 miles of horse trails. Dump station: The dump station is open from mid-May through the third weekend in October. The dump station may close before that date if a hard freeze is forecast. Rentals: The upper picnic shelter and amphitheater are available for rent during the summer season. The chalet is available to rent by the day or overnight, year-round. From November 1 through April 1 the chalet is only available to rent on weekends. Contact the park to reserve. For a few weeks during fall harvest season, the farmhouse may experience an influx of Asian lady beetles. Electric sites: The park has 15 regular electric campsites, some with 30-amp and some with 50-amp service. The park also has 13 electric equestrian campsites, all with 30-amp service. Showers: Showers are available in the main campground from mid-May through the third weekend in October. Showers are available in the equestrian campground, for equestrian campers, from mid-May through the third weekend in October. Showers may be closed before that date is a hard freeze is forecast. Showers are available at the chalet for visitors that rent that building. RVs: Park has level sites with easy access. Programs: The park does not have a naturalist on staff. Programs are scheduled periodically throughout the year. Drinking water: Drinking water is available in all the campgrounds and picnic areas from late May through the third weekend in October. Water may be turned off before that date if a hard freeze is forecast. Drinking water is available year-round at the Chalet building and the park office. Bathrooms: Vault toilets are available in the main campground, picnic area, and farmhouse from April 1 through the third weekend in October. Flush toilets are available at the picnic area, main campground and equestrian campground from mid-May through the third weekend in October. Flush toilets may be closed before that date if a hard freeze is forecast. Portable toilets are available from May through mid-October at the horse day ride area. Campgrounds: Camping is available at the Main Campground April 1 through October 31. Camping is available at the Horse Campground May 1 through October 31.
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 33 drive-in sites. | — | ShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. | — |
| Electric Sites The Creekside Campground has 15 electric sites. | — | ElectricShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. | — |
| Walk-in Sites The park has three secluded walk-in sites a thousand feet from parking. Drinking water is available, but there are no garbage cans. Please carry out your trash | — | Showers | — |
| Horse Camp Thirteen of the 14 sites in the horse campground have electricity and water hookup. Box stalls are available to rent. Call the park to reserve. | — | Showers | — |
| Group Camp The park's partly shaded group campsite near the main campground accommodates 20 people and has water, fire rings, rustic toilets and picnic tables. No electricity. Tents only! Vehicles must use an adjacent parking lot. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites: The park has 33 drive-in sites.
Electric Sites: The Creekside Campground has 15 electric sites.
RV Length Limit: The max RV length is 60 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites: The farmhouse, which accommodates up to six guests, is accessible.
Walk-in Sites: The park has three secluded walk-in sites a thousand feet from parking. Drinking water is available, but there are no garbage cans. Please carry out your trash
Horse Camp: Thirteen of the 14 sites in the horse campground have electricity and water hookup. Box stalls are available to rent. Call the park to reserve.
Group Camp: The park's partly shaded group campsite near the main campground accommodates 20 people and has water, fire rings, rustic toilets and picnic tables. No electricity. Tents only! Vehicles must use an adjacent parking lot.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins
Cabins: The chalet is available year-round. The farm house is available seasonally and accessible.
Things to do
CampingHistoric sites and toursHorseback ridingWildlife viewing and birdingFishingPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking (summer) | — | — | The park has nine miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. The trails pass through wooded areas and prairie.Hiking |
| Paved Bike (summer) | — | — | The park has one-half mile of paved bike trails.Paved Bike |
| Horse (summer) | — | — | The park has 13 miles of horse trails. Call ahead to check trail conditions, especially in the spring.Horse |
| Snowmobile (winter) | 8 mi | — | 8 miles — The park has eight miles of snowmobile trails that connect to grant-in-aid trails on either side of the park.Snowmobile |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except on groomed trails.Snowshoe |
| Other (winter) | — | — | Ungroomed ski trails — The park has five ungroomed miles of skiing ranging from easy to intermediate.Other |
Trail descriptions from the park
Summer — Hiking: The park has nine miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. The trails pass through wooded areas and prairie.
Summer — Paved Bike: The park has one-half mile of paved bike trails.
Summer — Horse: The park has 13 miles of horse trails. Call ahead to check trail conditions, especially in the spring.
Winter — Snowmobile — 8 miles: The park has eight miles of snowmobile trails that connect to grant-in-aid trails on either side of the park.
Winter — Snowshoe: Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except on groomed trails.
Winter — Other — Ungroomed ski trails: The park has five ungroomed miles of skiing ranging from easy to intermediate.
Trail conditions: The park has 9.3 miles of hiking trails and 13.3 miles of horse trails.
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
- Equestrian camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ 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 Sites: The farmhouse, which accommodates up to six guests, is accessible.
Cabins: The chalet is available year-round. The farm house is available seasonally and accessible.
Showers: Showers are available for registered campers only. Showers at the main campground are accessible and seasonally available. Showers at the Chalet are accessible and available year-round; showers at the horse campground are seasonally available and are not accessible.
Flush Toilets: Restrooms at the main campground are accessible and seasonally available. Restrooms at the Chalet are accessible and available year-round; restrooms at the horse campground are seasonally available and are not accessible.
Picnic Shelter: Located in the picnic area, the picnic shelter was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The accessible and enclosed picnic shelter accommodates up to 60 people and includes a fireplace, electricity, picnic tables, toilets and running water. Call the park to reserve.
Read more from the park
The historic amphitheater sits near the picnic shelter; the two facilities are rented out together. The amphitheater features a stone stage, iron railing, electricity, and bench seating for 150. The stage and benches are shaded by large oak trees. Parking, flush toilets and drinking water are nearby. Call the park to reserve.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 72158 County Road 30
Fairfax, MN 55332 - Nearest town
- New Ulm — about 16 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.4479, -94.7267
- Phone
- (507) 426-7840
- fortridgely.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Off State Highway 4, 6 miles south of Fairfax or 12 miles north of Sleepy Eye, then follow the signs to the park.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 19, 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. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology