Lac qui Parle 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
- No dogs
- Camping
- 80 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(320) 435-4033
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Partial closure Seasonal shutoffs-outside water is normally turned off before MEA. The shower building stays open until after the second weekend of deer…The dam spillway will return to one lane one direction with a detour continuing through fall with some intermittent closures. The upper campground,… (more)
The dam spillway will return to one lane one direction with a detour continuing through fall with some intermittent closures. The upper campground, two group camps and shower building are fully open through MEA. Outside water may be drained before MEA if the weather (freezing temps) dictates drain down. There is a new water spigot at the well house serving the lower area of the park and both group camps. From the Group 2 entrance - at the T turn right and the spigot is just 200 feet down the gravel road. This is the only water access in the lower area. The Lac qui Parle area is a great place to enjoy the wide open skies especially at night. Astronomers and dark night sky enthusiasts visit our area to enjoy the dark night sky and the billions of stars overhead. The upper campground is shade challenged so the site is a great place to enjoy the stars.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Invasive SpeciesZebra Mussels have been confirmed to be present in Big Stone Lake. Ensure you are following proper watercraft cleaning procedures when moving your… (more)
Zebra Mussels have been confirmed to be present in Big Stone Lake. Ensure you are following proper watercraft cleaning procedures when moving your boat from lake to lake to prevent further spread of this invasive species. Updated July 31st, 2026
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Lac qui Parle County, about 10 miles northwest of Montevideo, Lac qui Parle State Park covers about 657 acres.
Popular activities here are historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching. For overnight stays there are 80 campsites across 5 camping areas (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers). Roofed lodging includes cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
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 | Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
The front counter is open weekdays and weekends from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. as staffing is available. There may be times when staff is in the field now in the off season.
Bathrooms: Flush toilets / showers in the upper campground are open May 1 through November 17.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
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.
Pets
No dogs
Pets not allowed.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites 43 sites — Available seasonally. There is no winter camping in this park. | 43 | ShowersRVs up to 60 feet | — |
| Pull-Through Sites Eight sites — Three of these pull-through sites have sewer, water and electric hook-ups available. | — | Showers | — |
| Electric Sites 37 sites — Nine sites have full water and sewer hookup. | 37 | ElectricShowersRVs up to 60 feet | — |
| Cart-in Sites Three sites — Sites are located 100 to 400 feet from parking area. These sites are more secluded and shaded than other campsites in the park. | — | Showers | — |
| Group Camp Two sites — Both sites are located in the lower area and accommodate up to 50 people. Tents only. No electrical hookup. Water spigot and vault toilets available. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites — 43 sites: Available seasonally. There is no winter camping in this park.
Pull-Through Sites — Eight sites: Three of these pull-through sites have sewer, water and electric hook-ups available.
Electric Sites — 37 sites: Nine sites have full water and sewer hookup.
RV Length Limit — 60 feet: Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites — 2: The campground has two accessible drive-in sites. Both sites have electric hookups. One site has additional water/sewer hookup.
Cart-in Sites — Three sites: Sites are located 100 to 400 feet from parking area. These sites are more secluded and shaded than other campsites in the park.
Group Camp — Two sites: Both sites are located in the lower area and accommodate up to 50 people. Tents only. No electrical hookup. Water spigot and vault toilets available.
From the official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Camper CabinsThree seasonal cabins, one accessible — Three heated, seasonal cabins available April - October. Cabin 2 sleeps five and is wheelchair accessible, Cabins 1 and 3 sleep six. Pets not allowed. More information on camper cabins.
Accessible Lodging — 1 accessible camper cabin
Camper Cabins — Three seasonal cabins, one accessible: Three heated, seasonal cabins available April - October. Cabin 2 sleeps five and is wheelchair accessible, Cabins 1 and 3 sleep six. Pets not allowed. More information on camper cabins.
Things to do
CampingFishingCanoeing and kayakingWildlife viewing and birdingRanger and interpretive programsHistoric sites and toursPicnickingBoating
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking (summer) | 7 mi | — | Seven miles — Trailheads are behind the picnic shelter in the lower area. Flat and relatively easy trails wind past backwaters and offer exceptional birdwatching and wildlife observation opportunities. Trails often flood seasonally.Hiking |
| Horse (summer) | 5 mi | — | Five miles — Flat trails for easy riding. Trails are located in the lower area and are susceptible to seasonal flooding.Horse |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Anywhere in the parkSnowshoe |
Trail descriptions from the park
Summer — Hiking — Seven miles: Trailheads are behind the picnic shelter in the lower area. Flat and relatively easy trails wind past backwaters and offer exceptional birdwatching and wildlife observation opportunities. Trails often flood seasonally.
Summer — Horse — Five miles: Flat trails for easy riding. Trails are located in the lower area and are susceptible to seasonal flooding.
Winter — Snowshoe — Anywhere in the park
Boating and paddling
Boat Access — Near the beach: There are several boat accesses throughout the Lac qui Parle Lake area.
Boating Restrictions — No jet skis on Lac qui Parle Lake: The lake is located within the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area - lake rules vary seasonally. Check at the park headquarters for current information and regulations.
Boat Docks — Lac qui Parle Lake
Fishing
Fishing: Excellent fishing on the lake for walleye and catfish.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Group facilities
Water
- Marina or boat slips
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
Accessibility
- Accessible cabins or lodging
✓ 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 cabins or lodging
Accessible Sites — 2: The campground has two accessible drive-in sites. Both sites have electric hookups. One site has additional water/sewer hookup.
Accessible Lodging — 1 accessible camper cabin
Camper Cabins — Three seasonal cabins, one accessible: Three heated, seasonal cabins available April - October. Cabin 2 sleeps five and is wheelchair accessible, Cabins 1 and 3 sleep six. Pets not allowed. More information on camper cabins.
Showers — Accessible, available seasonally in the campground
Flush Toilets — Accessible, available seasonally in the campground
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 14047 20th Street Northwest
Watson, MN 56295 - Nearest town
- Montevideo — about 10 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 45.0211, -95.8941
- Phone
- (320) 435-4033
- lacquiparle.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Approximately 1/2 mile north of Watson on U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 7, then west on Chippewa County Road 13.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 30, 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