Kilen Woods State Park

This guide is for campers who want a low-key site in southwestern Minnesota, paddlers on the Des Moines River, and birders and wildflower hikers. Because nobody staffs the park office, it puts the practical details up front: how to pay, where to dump tanks, what is in town, and when the park closes for deer hunts. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park record and the 2025 park map unless noted; sources are at the end.

The park in brief

The DNR park page says the legislature established Kilen Woods in 1945, but the first development money did not arrive until 1950. The name comes from the Kilen Hills, a local name tied to the family that owned the land before the state, and from the patch of woods surrounded by prairie that the park was created to protect.

The Des Moines River here cuts through about a hundred feet of glacial drift left by the Des Moines Lobe. The park map says the Prairie Bush Clover Scientific and Natural Area inside the park protects the federally threatened prairie bush clover along with hundreds of prairie plants, pollinators and animals. The DNR lists peace and quiet, birdwatching, hiking, camping and spring wildflowers as the park's highlights.

Camping

There is no dump station. The DNR points to dump stations in Windom (Highways 60 and 71) and Jackson (I-90 and Highway 71). The shower building operates seasonally, and vault toilets at the campground and picnic shelter are open year-round. The park has no camper cabins listed in the DNR record. Firewood is sold by self-service through the Yodel app outside the ranger station.

The park map says to "camp from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend" and notes that a few sites are available for seasonal stays of one to three months. The DNR record does not give a separate camping season, so confirm dates in the reservation system.

Reservations and permits online

The DNR's seasonal update says reservations at Kilen Woods, advance and same-day, are made by internet only, and "staff cannot make reservations on site." (The 2025 park map also lists the DNR reservation line, 866-857-2757.) As of November 2026, the alert also says all permit purchases and registration must be completed online. Under the DNR reservation FAQ, every state park campsite needs a reservation, you can book up to 120 days ahead, a newly opened date becomes available at 8 a.m. Central, and same-day bookings have no reservation fee. The Minnesota state park reservation guide explains how the window works.

Trails and things to do

The DNR lists 5 miles of hiking trail, open year-round, rated moderate over hilly terrain through prairie, oak savanna and floodplain forest. It says the trails are "best in the spring when prairie and woodland flowers are in bloom."

The DNR park page also names the Dinosaur Ridge Overlook for views of the river valley. The park map's one-hour suggestion is part of the Sioux Trail.

The river, birds and picnics

• Paddling: there is boat access on the Des Moines River. The park map says to bring your own canoe or kayak and describes the river as a mix of quiet water and class I rapids; the Des Moines River State Water Trail runs nearby.
• Fishing: the DNR says anglers catch walleyes, northerns, catfish and bullheads from the river's pools and snags.
• Birding: the park map says to watch for nearly 200 bird species in spring and fall.
• Picnics: a small bluff-top picnic area has grills and about 12 tables. An enclosed shelter near the trail center has electricity and a fireplace and is reserved by calling. A volleyball court and horseshoe pit are nearby, but you must bring the ball and horseshoes.

The DNR says some naturalist programs run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

When to go

Spring is the DNR's pick for the trails. Late summer brings seven-foot prairie grasses, butterfly milkweed and grey-headed coneflowers on the river-bottom prairie. In winter there are 3.5 miles of ungroomed snowmobile trail, snowshoeing anywhere in the park as long as you stay off groomed snowmobile trails, and the trail center in the picnic area serves as a warming house with a fireplace.

As of November 2026, the DNR's seasonal update says water was turned off October 29, 2026, and the showers and bathrooms are closed for the season.

Hunt closures, as of November 2026: the DNR alert says the park closes for an adult deer hunt from December 26, 2026 until January 2, 2027. (It also closed October 31 to November 1, 2026, for a youth hunt.)

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. Because Kilen Woods is self-service, buy the permit online. The fee schedule prices watercraft sites more than half a mile from parking at $20 to $23 a night; the DNR does not say how far the canoe-in site is from parking, so check its price when you book.

Getting there

The DNR's directions: from Lakefield, go 4 miles north on Highway 86 to the junction with County Road 24, then 5 miles east on County Road 24. The DNR lists Lakefield's grocery store and restaurants as having limited hours, with more options in Windom and Jackson, 11 to 16 miles from the park. A phone outside the contact station takes 911 calls and credit card calls.

For nearby parks, see all Prairie and Minnesota River guides, the state park finder, Lake Shetek State Park and Camden State Park.

Before you go

1. Reserve and buy your permit online before you leave; there is no staff to sell one.
2. Empty and fill tanks in Windom or Jackson; the park has no dump station.
3. Avoid December 26, 2026 to January 2, 2027, when the park is closed.
4. Bring groceries; Lakefield's store keeps limited hours.
5. Pack your own volleyball, horseshoes and canoe.
6. For questions, call the Windom office at 507-832-6030.

Related guides: Split Rock Creek State Park · Blue Mounds State Park · Flandrau State Park · Minnesota state park guides

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Kilen Woods State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alerts): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00196
• Minnesota DNR, Kilen Woods State Park map and guide (PDF, 2025): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00196.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