Hayes Lake State Park

This guide is for campers, anglers and birders planning a trip to Roseau County in northwest Minnesota. It covers the campground and cabins, the trails and lake, what is open in each season, costs and directions. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park page and the 2025 DNR park map; sources are listed at the end.

The park in brief

Hayes Lake became a state park in 1967 and was dedicated in 1973. The region has few lakes, so, according to the DNR, one of the first things built was the lake itself, made by damming the north fork of the Roseau River. The lake and park are named for A.F. Hayes, an early resident who pushed for the lake.

The park sits on the western edge of Beltrami Island State Forest. The DNR says birdwatchers have recorded more than 200 species in or near the park, says black bears are "seen occasionally," and lists moose, fisher, otter, bobcat, pine marten, lynx and timber wolf among the wildlife that "can be seen in and around the park." In summer, the DNR suggests looking for orchids, gentians and blueberries: "you can pick the berries, but not the flowers."

Camping and camper cabins

The RV length limit is 40 feet, measured from the front of the tow vehicle to the rear of the trailer. The campground has seasonal showers and flush toilets, a seasonal dump station on the second loop, and vault toilets year-round. A short bog walk leaves the A loop into a northern cedar bog.

All Minnesota state park campsites need a reservation. Book through ReserveMN online or at 866-857-2757, up to 120 days ahead, starting at 8 a.m. Central on the first day a date opens, according to the DNR reservation FAQ. Our Minnesota state park reservations guide explains how the window works.

Hayes Lake also manages Bemis Hill Forest Campground and day-use area, six miles northeast of the park.

Trails, the lake and things to do

On the water

Hayes Lake is fed by the north fork of the Roseau River and is contained entirely within the park, so only electric motors are allowed. There is a boat access near Hayes Lake Dam, an accessible fishing pier near the boat landing, a swimming beach, and rentals of canoes, kayaks and rowboats at the park office. The 2025 DNR map adds that Minnesota residents "may fish without a fishing license in Hayes Lake State Park." The DNR's Fish for free in most Minnesota state parks page sets the conditions: residents only, fishing from shore or wading on state-owned park land, or from a boat or through the ice on a lake "completely encompassed within a Minnesota state park," and not on waters that need a trout stamp.

Trails

The DNR lists 13 miles of hiking trail along the lakeshore and river, 5 miles of unpaved bike trail starting at Hayes Dam, and 7 miles of horse trail that run into Beltrami Island State Forest.

The DNR park page also lists two self-guided trails "totalling two and one-half miles": the Pine Ridge Interpretive Trail from the campground to the main picnic area, and the History Trail starting at Hayes Dam, which passes a Civil War veteran's grave. The park page calls the History Trail "two-mile." Other highlights the DNR names are the Grefthen Bay overlook and Hayes Dam.

Picnics and day use

The main picnic area is near the swimming beach, with an enclosed shelter for up to 50 people that has electricity (call the park to reserve). Fishing kits, birding kits, GPS units and kids discovery kits are free to borrow at the ranger station.

When to go

• Summer: the full campground, showers, beach and rentals are open, and it is the season for orchids and blueberries, according to the DNR.
• Fall: as of November 2026, the DNR says the shower building and campground bathrooms are closed for the season and water was shut off October 15, 2026. The dump station is closed. Hand pump wells for drinking water are listed at the campground and picnic area. A firearms deer hunt runs November 7 to 22, 2026 (DNR alert updated November 3, 2026), and the park recommends blaze orange.
• Winter: snowmobile trails connect to Beltrami Island State Forest. The DNR gives two figures: 6 miles on the trails listing and 9 miles on the seasonal update. Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere except groomed snowmobile trails.

What it costs

From the DNR vehicle permit page and fee schedule, before tax. Campsite and camper cabin fees are the DNR's statewide ranges.

Two nights at an electric site: 2 × ($20 + $10) + $8 = $68 to 2 × ($35 + $10) + $8 = $98 (our arithmetic), plus a vehicle permit ($7 overnight or $35 year-round). Two nights in a camper cabin: $168 to $188 including the online reservation fee, plus a vehicle permit. For multi-night stays, ask the park which permit covers your whole stay; the year-round permit covers every visit for a year. ReserveMN shows the exact site price.

Buy firewood at the office when it is open, or pay through Yodel; gathering firewood is against park rules.

Getting there

The DNR directions: from Roseau, go 15 miles south on State Highway 89, then 9 miles east on Roseau County Road 4 to the entrance. Roseau is the nearest town.

Hayes Lake is one of the parks in northwest Minnesota. Nearby options include Lake Bronson State Park and Zippel Bay State Park; you can compare others with the park finder.

Before you go

1. Reserve your campsite or cabin; every state park campsite needs a reservation, though same-day bookings are allowed with no reservation fee.
2. Call ahead if you need the office; it is closed Sunday and Monday.
3. Bring an electric trolling motor or a paddle craft; gas motors are not allowed on Hayes Lake.
4. Pack insect repellent for the trails, as the DNR map recommends.
5. In fall, wear blaze orange during the deer hunt and expect water and showers to be off.
6. Buy firewood at the park.

Related guides: Northwest Minnesota guides · Itasca State Park · Lake Bronson State Park · Camping guides

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Hayes Lake State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alerts, history): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00174
• Minnesota DNR, Hayes Lake State Park map and guide (PDF, 2025): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00174.pdf
• 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
• Minnesota DNR, Reservation FAQ: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reserve-faq/index.html
• Minnesota DNR, Fish for free in most Minnesota state parks: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fishing.html