Glacial Lakes State Park

This guide is for campers comparing the Lower and Oak Ridge campgrounds and the cabins, horse riders, and anyone planning a prairie hike or a day at the lake. It covers sites, trails, the lake, seasonal closures and the current hunt notice, fees and directions. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park record and the 2024 park map unless noted; sources are at the end.

The park in brief

The DNR says Glacial Lakes became a state park in 1963 to preserve rolling prairie and its plant life. It sits in the Leaf Hills, which the DNR park page describes as a 10- to 19-mile-wide band of glacial hills running from Detroit Lakes to Willmar. The park map points out the glacial landforms by name: kames (cone-shaped hills), kettles (water-filled depressions) and glacial erratics (large boulders left by the ice).

The park lies in a transition zone between the prairie to the west and hardwood forest to the east. The DNR notes that only about one-tenth of one percent of Minnesota's original prairie remains, and the park protects native prairie with big and little bluestem, Indian grass, pasque flowers, coneflowers and goldenrods. The park is also part of a reintroduction effort for the rare Dakota skipper butterfly.

The DNR also lists the lake as "Signalness (Mountain) Lake." It describes the lake as clear and spring-fed, with its entire watershed inside the park.

Camping and lodging

All cabins have heat, electricity and a porch. The year-round cabins rent daily from April through October and Thursday through Sunday in winter. The DNR's seasonal note says four cabins are near the swimming beach and two are in the Lower Campground. Group campers do not get showers with the rental; the DNR says to call the park office to buy a shower ticket.

Reservations

The DNR says campsites, the group camp and camper cabins can be reserved 120 days before arrival, online at mndnr.gov/reservations or by calling 866-857-2757. The DNR reservation FAQ adds that every campsite needs a reservation year-round, a newly opened date becomes available at 8 a.m. Central, and same-day reservations have no reservation fee. With only 14 electric sites, those are the ones to book first. See the Minnesota state park reservation guide for how the window works.

Trails and things to do

The DNR lists 16 miles of hiking trail, a half-mile self-guided trail, 11 miles of horse trail and 5 miles of paved bike trail from the park entrance to Starbuck. Hiking trails are open year-round.

The park map also suggests the "less-traveled southeastern trails" for a quieter prairie walk. Horse riders and hikers share trails, and the map reminds visitors to check for ticks and watch for poison ivy.

Signalness Lake

• Fishing: an accessible pier near the beach; the DNR lists sunfish, crappies, largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye.
• Swimming: a swimming beach, with picnic grounds nearby.
• Boating: drive-in boat access and docks; electric motors only.
• Rentals: canoes, kayaks, boats and stand-up paddleboards from the ranger station in season. Fishing kits, birding kits, GPS units and kids discovery kits (ages 5 to 12) are free to check out.

When to go

The DNR says wildflowers and prairie grasses cover the hills "from spring through fall," and suggests asking at the office what is blooming. In winter, the park has 11 miles of snowmobile trail, 6 miles of ungroomed ski trail, and snowshoeing anywhere except groomed trails.

As of November 2026, the DNR's seasonal update says the Lower and Oak Ridge campgrounds "are open for the season," while water, showers, campground and day-use bathroom buildings and the dump/fill station are closed for the season. Vault toilets are available, and the only drinking water is across from the office. Watercraft rentals are done for the year.

Current alert: as of November 2026, the DNR says the park's special-permit firearms deer hunt runs Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2026, and asks every visitor to wear blaze orange or other bright clothing, "even if you will not be hunting."

Fees and permits

From the DNR vehicle permit page and fee schedule, before tax:

The DNR also sells an overnight permit at the one-day price, valid through 4 p.m. the next day. For multi-night stays, ask the park which permit covers your whole stay; the year-round permit covers every visit for a year. As an example using the DNR's statewide fee ranges (the fee page does not list Glacial Lakes' exact cabin rate), two nights in a camper cabin would come to $168 to $188 before tax in cabin and online reservation fees (2 × $80 to $90, plus $8), plus a vehicle permit ($7 overnight or $35 year-round).

Riders need a horse pass: the fee page says everyone over 16, and the park map says riders 16 and older. Firewood is sold year-round at the park office when it is open, or through the Yodel app.

Getting there

The DNR's directions: from Starbuck, go 3 miles south on Highway 29, then 2 miles south on County Road 41. The park's address is 25022 County Road 41, Starbuck. For nearby parks, see all Prairie and Minnesota River guides, the state park finder, Monson Lake State Park and Lake Carlos State Park.

Before you go

1. Book electric sites early; all 14 are in the Lower Campground.
2. Check rig length: the limit is 45 feet and there is one pull-through.
3. Avoid November 12 to 15, 2026, or wear blaze orange if you go.
4. Bring water in the off-season; the only tap is across from the office.
5. Leave pets home if you rent a camper cabin.
6. Call ahead for office hours, which the DNR calls limited.

Related guides: Sibley State Park · Lac qui Parle State Park · Big Stone Lake State Park · Minnesota state park guides

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Glacial Lakes State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alerts): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00166
• Minnesota DNR, Glacial Lakes State Park map and guide (PDF, 2024): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00166.pdf
• Minnesota DNR, Reservation FAQ: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reserve-faq/index.html
• Minnesota DNR, State park fees: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fees.html
• Minnesota DNR, Vehicle permits: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/permit.html