State Parks Near Worthington, Minnesota
17 state park units lie within 50 miles of Worthington, including 13 parks across the line in Iowa and South Dakota. The closest is Trappers Bay State Park, about 18 mi southeast of town. 1 park is within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Trappers Bay State Park18 mi southeast
- Within 25 miles
- 1of 17 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 94 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 1pets allowed
State parks near Worthington, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Worthington; driving distance is usually longer.
Trappers Bay State Park
In Dickinson County, in Lake Park, Trappers Bay State Park covers about 48 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Trappers Bay State Park →Marble Beach State Recreation Area
Marble Beach State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Dickinson County, about 4 miles north of Spirit Lake.
Hours, fees and rules for Marble Beach State Recreation Area →Pikes Point State Park
Pikes Point State Park is a 5-acre park in Dickinson County, about 3 miles west of Spirit Lake.
Hours, fees and rules for Pikes Point State Park →Mini-Wakan State Park
In Dickinson County, about 6 miles north of Spirit Lake, Mini-Wakan State Park covers about 21 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mini-Wakan State Park →Templar State Recreation Area
In Dickinson County, about 3 miles north of Spirit Lake, Templar State Recreation Area covers about 87 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Templar State Recreation Area →Kilen Woods State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, golf, boating, wildlife watching, and ranger programs. Camping is available: 52 campsites across 5 camping areas, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Kilen Woods State Park →Gull Point State Park
Covering about 226 acres, Gull Point State Park lies in Dickinson County, about 2 miles west of Arnolds Park.
Hours, fees and rules for Gull Point State Park →Emerson Bay State Recreation Area
In Dickinson County, in Milford, Emerson Bay State Recreation Area covers about 20 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Emerson Bay State Recreation Area →Blue Mounds State Park
Popular activities here are rock climbing, historic sites, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 15 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Blue Mounds State Park →Lower Gar State Recreation Area
In Dickinson County, in Arnolds Park, Lower Gar State Recreation Area covers about 12 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Lower Gar State Recreation Area →Elinor Bedell State Park
In Dickinson County, about 2 miles east of Spirit Lake, Elinor Bedell State Park covers about 91 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Elinor Bedell State Park →Lake Shetek State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and boating. The official site lists about 14 miles of trails. Water access includes a swimming beach and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Shetek State Park →Fort Defiance State Park
Visitors come for hiking and picnicking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites). Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Defiance State Park →Split Rock Creek State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, swimming, boating, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Split Rock Creek State Park →Palisades State Park
Visitors come for rock climbing, stargazing, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, and hunting in season. For overnight stays there are 111 campsites (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Palisades State Park →Beaver Creek Nature Area
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, historic sites, biking, and wildlife watching.
Hours, fees and rules for Beaver Creek Nature Area →Big Sioux Recreation Area
Things to do include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. For overnight stays there are 49 campsites (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Big Sioux Recreation Area →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Worthington
- Marble Beach State Recreation Area 26 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Kilen Woods State Park 28 mi east · 52 campsites
- Gull Point State Park 28 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Blue Mounds State Park 30 mi west · Campground listed
- Lake Shetek State Park 33 mi north · 141 campsites
+ 4 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Worthington
- Lake Shetek State Park 33 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Fort Defiance State Park 40 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Palisades State Park 46 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Big Sioux Recreation Area 50 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Worthington
- Lake Shetek State Park 33 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Worthington
- Lake Shetek State Park 33 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Split Rock Creek State Park 43 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Worthington
- Kilen Woods State Park 28 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Lake Shetek State Park 33 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Fort Defiance State Park 40 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Split Rock Creek State Park 43 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Palisades State Park 46 mi west · Hiking trails listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Fishing near Worthington
- Lake Shetek State Park 33 mi north · Fishing listed
- Split Rock Creek State Park 43 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Palisades State Park 46 mi west · Fishing listed
- Big Sioux Recreation Area 50 mi west · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Worthington
What is the closest state park to Worthington?
Trappers Bay State Park is the closest, about 18 miles southeast of Worthington in a straight line. Next are Marble Beach State Recreation Area and Pikes Point State Park.
How many state parks are near Worthington?
17 state park units are within 50 miles, and 1 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Worthington have camping?
9 parks list camping, the nearest being Marble Beach State Recreation Area, Kilen Woods State Park and Gull Point State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Worthington?
Yes, at 1 park, including Lake Shetek State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Worthington?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Spencer, IA40 mi southeast
- Near Fairmont, MN57 mi east
- Near Sioux Falls, SD57 mi west
- Near Marshall, MN57 mi north
- Near Storm Lake, IA71 mi south
- Near New Ulm, MN73 mi northeast
- Near Brookings, SD75 mi northwest
- Near Sioux City, IA88 mi southwest
Or see all Minnesota state parks, Iowa state parks, South Dakota state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.