Lake Maria State Park
5 notices: Park alert · Park alert · Park alert · Park alert · 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
- No dogs
- Camping
- 19 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(763) 272-4040
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 11
Closure Park alert• The Little Mary Lake gate will close on November 1st.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Partial closure Park alert• The Sand Dunes Forest Recreation Area which includes Ann Lake Campground, Bob Dunn Horse Camp, and Ann Lake Day Use are closed for the season.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Closure Park alert• Lake Maria State Park will be closed December 11th, 12th, and 13th for the Muzzleloader Deer Hunt. You MUST be a registered Deer Hunter to be in… (more)
• Lake Maria State Park will be closed December 11th, 12th, and 13th for the Muzzleloader Deer Hunt. You MUST be a registered Deer Hunter to be in the State Park during that time.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Park alert• Water is available at the trail center inside, and the outside hydrant.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Closure Park alert• The Ranger Station is closed for the season.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Park alert• Street parking is not allowed anywhere in the park or along any roads leading into the park.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Park alert• The camper cabins are all open for the year.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Closure Park alert• The group camp sites at Lake Maria State Park will close on November 1st.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Wright County, about 5 miles southwest of Becker, Lake Maria State Park covers about 1,590 acres.
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a fishing pier. Overnight options include 19 campsites across 2 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping. The park says there are no showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers 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 | The Ranger Station is closed for the season. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
The Ranger Station is closed for the season.
Backpack sites, and Camper Cabins are available year-round. Registration is required before occupying your site.
Drinking water: Water is available at the Trail Center all year round. Horse Parking lot has water May 1st through November 1. The Group Camp Parking Lot has water May 1 through November 1. Little Mary Lake Parking Lot has water May 1 through November 1. Other: Please follow speed limits, and drive slow when visiting. Please note there is no courtesy phone outside the ranger station. You will need a cell phone for service. Wi-Fi is available under MN DNR Guest to login. RVs: All sites are backpack only - we have no drive-in sites at Lake Maria State Park. Electric sites: No electric sites or drive in sites are at this park. Bathrooms: Flush Toilets are available in the Trail Center, and Vault toilets are available at the Equestrian Lot, and Little Mary Lake. Trails: Fourteen miles of hiking trails through wooded, rolling terrain. Along with six miles of Equestrian Trails. Six miles of horseback riding trails, open May 1 to November 1. Over six miles of groomed classic ski trails in the winter. Rentals: Equipment rentals are available during office hours only. Kayaks, Canoes, and Snowshoes are the rental items available. Campgrounds: Backpack sites, and Camper Cabins are available year-round. Registration is required before occupying your site. Programs: The Friends Group of Lake Maria State Park work to provide programs for Lake Maria State Park. Showers: No showers available in this park. Buildings: The Trail Center, backpack sites, Camper Cabins, Group Sites, Lakes, Swans, Turtles, hiking, Equestrian Trails, and a beautiful State Park! Dump station: There is no dump station at Lake Maria State Park. Water: Water is available at the Trail Center all year. The Group Camp Solar Well, Little Mary Lake Well, and the Equestrian Water are open May 1 through November 1.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 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
No pets 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack Sites 17 Sites — These are remote, secluded campsites overlooking lakes and ponds. You will have about a 1 mile walk to the campsites from the parking area. | 17 | — | |
| Group Camp 2 Sites - Each accommodates up to 50 people — Sites are rustic with vault toilets and water available. Tents only. | 2 | — |
Camping details from the park
Backpack Sites — 17 Sites: These are remote, secluded campsites overlooking lakes and ponds. You will have about a 1 mile walk to the campsites from the parking area.
Group Camp — 2 Sites - Each accommodates up to 50 people: Sites are rustic with vault toilets and water available. Tents only.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Camper Cabins3 Cabins — Cabins are located 1/2 mile to 1 mile from parking area. You must walk in to these locations. Each cabin sleeps 6 and are available year-round. Cabins have wood stove heat but no electricity. Vault toilet nearby. No pets allowed. Reservations are required. More information on camper cabins.
Camper Cabins — 3 Cabins: Cabins are located 1/2 mile to 1 mile from parking area. You must walk in to these locations. Each cabin sleeps 6 and are available year-round. Cabins have wood stove heat but no electricity. Vault toilet nearby. No pets allowed. Reservations are required. More information on camper cabins.
Things to do
HikingCampingWildlife viewing and birdingWinter sportsCross-country skiingRanger and interpretive programsPicnickingFishingBoatingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic (winter) | 6.2 mi | — | 6.2 miles — Beginner to intermediate skill level, primarily intermediate. Rolling terrain goes through wooded areas, old-growth forest areas, and past lakes and ponds. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up.Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic |
| Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate (winter) | 2 mi | — | 2 miles — Skate ski trails are groomed as snow depth and staff time permit.Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park, except on groomed ski trails.Snowshoe |
| Self-Guided (summer) | 1 mi | — | 1 mile — Zumbrunnen Trail at picnic area features signs, boardwalk, and observation points.Self-Guided |
| Hiking (summer) | 14 mi | — | 14 Miles — Trails wind through rolling, wooded terrain. Natural soil surfaces. Great spring wildflowers and fall colors.Hiking |
| Paved Bike (summer) | — | — | Near ParkPaved Bike |
| Unpaved Bike (summer) | — | — | Near ParkUnpaved Bike |
| Boardwalk (summer) | — | — | Part of Self-Guided Trail — The boardwalk is part of the park's self-guided trail and crosses a wetland area.Boardwalk |
| Horse (summer) | 6 mi | — | 6 Miles — Trails are open May 1 to Nov. 1. No rentals available.Horse |
Trail descriptions from the park
Winter — Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic — 6.2 miles: Beginner to intermediate skill level, primarily intermediate. Rolling terrain goes through wooded areas, old-growth forest areas, and past lakes and ponds.
A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up.
Winter — Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate — 2 miles: Skate ski trails are groomed as snow depth and staff time permit.
Winter — Snowshoe: Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park, except on groomed ski trails.
Summer — Self-Guided — 1 mile: Zumbrunnen Trail at picnic area features signs, boardwalk, and observation points.
Summer — Hiking — 14 Miles: Trails wind through rolling, wooded terrain. Natural soil surfaces. Great spring wildflowers and fall colors.
Summer — Paved Bike — Near Park
Summer — Unpaved Bike — Near Park
Summer — Boardwalk — Part of Self-Guided Trail: The boardwalk is part of the park's self-guided trail and crosses a wetland area.
Summer — Horse — 6 Miles: Trails are open May 1 to Nov. 1. No rentals available.
Trail conditions: Fourteen miles of hiking trails through wooded, rolling terrain. Along with six miles of Equestrian Trails.
Six miles of horseback riding trails, open May 1 to November 1.
Over six miles of groomed classic ski trails in the winter.
Boating and paddling
Boat Access — Little Mary Lake: Designed for small watercraft, canoes and kayaks.
Boat Docks — Little Mary Lake
Canoe Access — Maria Lake: Little Mary Lake canoe access is accessible by car. Maria Lake canoe access is walk-in only.
Fishing
Fishing Pier — Little Mary Lake
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Group facilities
- Showers: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Marina or boat slips
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
✓ 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
Flush Toilets — Wheelchair accessible: Available in Trail Center.
Canoe Access — Maria Lake: Little Mary Lake canoe access is accessible by car. Maria Lake canoe access is walk-in only.
Picnic Shelter — Enclosed Shelter: Picnic tables are located inside trail center. Electrical outlets and toilet facilities are available. Wheelchair accessible.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 11411 Clementa Avenue Northwest
Monticello, MN 55362 - Nearest town
- Becker — about 5 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 45.3174, -93.9317
- Phone
- (763) 272-4040
- lakemaria.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The park may be reached from the south via I-94 (exit 193) at Hwy 25, south to Chelsea Rd to Hwy 39 west and Wright County Rd 111, or from the north via I-94 (exit 183) to Hwy 8, County Rd 39 and County Rd 111.
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: Lakemariafrozen.JPG — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Archbob
“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