Great River Bluffs State Park

This guide is for hikers, fall color trips, birders watching the river flyway, and tent campers. It covers the overlook trails, the campground and its limits for RVs, the seasons, fees and the route in from I-90 or Winona. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park page and the 2026 park map unless noted; sources are at the end.

The park in brief

The park began as O.L. Kipp State Park, named for Orin Lansing Kipp, who spent 41 years with Minnesota's Highway Department. The DNR says the Legislature created it in 1963 as a narrow strip along the highway north of La Crescent. When no land became available, it was moved in 1971 to its current site, opened to the public in 1976 and was renamed Great River Bluffs State Park in 1997.

The park contains two Scientific and Natural Areas, King's Bluff and Queen's Bluff. The DNR describes half-dome bluffs with sheer rock cliffs, maple-basswood forest, old hickory, pines, goat prairies and old fields. It lists more than 35 species of mammals, 17 of reptiles and amphibians, and well over 100 of birds, and says the prairie patches draw uncommon species such as a lizard, the six-lined racer, and the bobolink.

Overlook trails

The DNR lists 6.5 miles of hiking trail, which it describes as easy, with scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River Valley, plus 2.5 miles of self-guided trail with interpretive signs. The seasonal update counts five overlooks, and the DNR notes that sunrise from the overlooks is a draw.

For a one-hour visit, the map suggests a picnic with views from the nearby overlooks, or the King's Bluff Trail. The picnic area has 12 sites with tables and grills near a trail to the overlooks.

Birds and wildlife

The DNR calls the river valley a major flyway for waterfowl, eagles and hawks, and the park map adds that you may spot a peregrine falcon. The DNR says visitors report seeing bald eagles in winter. Bring binoculars; the ranger station lends free birding kits and kids discovery kits for ages 5 to 12.

Safety notes

The park map asks hikers to use caution on overlook trails and steep slopes and keep small children close. Timber rattlesnakes live in the park but are not numerous; they are a protected species, so stay on trails and give them space. In an emergency, call 911.

Camping at Great River Bluffs

The Great River Campground is a single loop of back-in sites that the DNR describes as private, with good vegetation between them. There are no electric sites, and the DNR says sites big enough for RVs are limited; it names Beaver Creek Valley State Park as the closest park with electricity.

Showers and flush toilets are accessible and seasonal in the campground, and vault toilets are open year-round throughout the park.

Reservations: the DNR says all campsites must be reserved ahead of time, online or at 1-866-857-2757. Dates open 120 days in advance at 8 a.m. Central, per the DNR reservation FAQ; the Minnesota state park reservations guide explains the process.

RV check-in: as of November 2026, the DNR alert (updated October 4, 2026) asks campers with an RV or trailer to pull up to the welcome center, then walk down to the office to check in.

When to go

• Early spring: the park map recommends it for blooming prairie flowers.
• Fall: the DNR highlights fall colors, and the map calls out maples and oaks on the bluffs from the East Overlook.
• Winter: the DNR lists 3 miles of groomed classic cross-country ski trail, easy to moderate, and snowshoeing anywhere in the park except on groomed trails. Ranger station hours vary in winter.

Current status: as of November 11, 2026, the park page's seasonal update reads "The campground is open for the season" and "Shower building is open for the season," and says water is on, with a drinking fountain in the campground and picnic area. The update is not dated, so it is unclear which season it refers to; confirm with the park before a late-season trip.

Hunt notice: as of November 2026, the DNR alert (updated October 4, 2026) says "The park hunt will take place November 21 and 22." It does not say whether the park closes; check the park page or call before visiting those days.

Fees and permits

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

Example calculation, two nights at a drive-in site (from the DNR fee ranges): 2 × $20 + $8 online reservation fee = $48 at the low end, or 2 × $35 + $8 = $78 at the high end, before tax, plus a vehicle permit ($7 overnight or $35 year-round). For multi-night stays, ask the park which permit covers your whole stay. ReserveMN shows the exact site price.

The park map says permits are sold at the ranger station, which is one mile from the park entrance, or at the Welcome Center. Firewood is sold seasonally when the office is open; gathering it in the park is not allowed.

Getting there

The DNR's directions: from I-90, take exit 267 and follow the park signs. From Winona, go south on Highway 61, turn right just past mile marker 15 onto County Road 3, and drive 4 miles to the park entrance. The nearest town is Winona.

For nearby parks, see the Bluff Country guides, the Beaver Creek Valley State Park guide for electric sites and trout fishing, and the Frontenac State Park guide farther up the river. The park finder compares parks statewide.

Before you go

1. Reserve your campsite before you arrive; the DNR says every site must be reserved ahead.
2. Plan for no electricity, no dump station and no water fill station.
3. If you tow a trailer, stop at the welcome center first, then walk to the office.
4. Keep dogs out of the State Natural Areas, where the park map says they are not allowed.
5. Bring binoculars for the river flyway and plan an overlook stop at sunrise.
6. Check the DNR page for the November 21-22, 2026 hunt and winter office hours.

Related guides: Bluff Country parks · Beaver Creek Valley State Park · Frontenac State Park · Whitewater State Park

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Great River Bluffs State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alerts, directions): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00244
• Minnesota DNR, Great River Bluffs State Park map and guide (PDF, 2026): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00244.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