Lake Bronson State Park

This guide is for anyone planning a trip to Lake Bronson during the dam project: what is open, where you can camp, what to do without the lake, and how to get there. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park page and the 2025 DNR park map; sources are listed at the end.

The dam project: what is closed

As of November 2026, the DNR park alert (updated November 3, 2026) and the DNR dam replacement project page say:

• The lake is drawn down, and "the lakebed and lake surface are closed for all uses." Visitors must stay out of the lakebed.
• Fishing piers have been removed and all lake accesses are closed. The swimming beach is closed until the project is done.
• "County Road 28 over the dam will remain closed for the duration of the project." The project page says a segment of Highway 28 is closed "with a signed re-route for traffic," and the bike trail to the dam is closed.
• The Lakeside and Lakeside Extension campgrounds and the Moose Island canoe-in site are closed during construction. Two Rivers Campground stays open during the project (it is currently closed for the season).
• The 2025 park map adds that some trails are closed and "additional trail or park closures may occur."

The DNR drew the lake down in September 2024 and construction began that fall. The park page says the project "is expected to complete by July 2027"; the project page says it "is estimated to be completed in summer 2027," with "all of the major parts of the project done by the end of 2026."

The park in brief

The park exists because of a 1930s drought. According to the DNR, wells in the area dried up, and a layer of salt made deeper wells impossible, so the answer was to dam the South Branch of the Two Rivers and create a lake. Dam construction began in 1936, followed by a combined water and observation tower, a beach and a bathhouse built through the Works Progress Administration. The area became Two Rivers State Park in 1937 and was renamed Lake Bronson State Park in 1945. The nearby town of Bronson was renamed Lake Bronson.

The park sits where prairie meets forest. The DNR lists deer, black bear, sharp-tailed grouse, sandhill cranes and "occasionally wild elk from local herds."

Camping during construction

Site counts differ between DNR listings: the camping summary says 152 drive-in sites in three campgrounds, while the seasonal update says the park has 158 campsites. Both say 67 electric sites in a normal season. The DNR does not give a separate site count for Two Rivers beyond its 12 electric sites. The RV length limit is 50 feet, though the limit does not apply to the pull-through sites.

All state park campsites require a reservation through ReserveMN (online or 866-857-2757), up to 120 days ahead, starting at 8 a.m. Central on the first day a date opens, per the DNR reservation FAQ. Our Minnesota state park reservations guide explains the window. In a normal season, the DNR lists campground showers from mid-May through October and flush toilets from mid-May through mid-October.

Trails and things to do

The observation tower

The DNR calls the WPA tower the "largest observation tower in a Minnesota state park." From the top you can look over the prairie and aspen-oak forest and watch for deer, sharp-tailed grouse and sandhill cranes. As of November 2026, the tower is closed for the season.

Trails

The DNR lists 14 miles of hiking trail, 2 miles of paved bike trail, 5 miles of mountain bike trail and 8 miles of horse trail (buy a horse pass; trailer parking is at the east boat landing lot).

Visitor center

The visitor center, open year-round, has exhibits on the aspen parkland and the park's WPA buildings, and part of it is open 24 hours. It serves as a heated warming shelter in winter, and its Great Room can be rented. A playground is near the visitor center.

When to go

• Summer: with the lake closed, the draws are the tower, trails, prairie wildlife and Two Rivers Campground.
• Fall: water, showers and the dump station were shut off October 1, 2026, and camping is closed for the season. A firearms deer hunt runs November 7 to 15, 2026; wear blaze orange.
• Winter: about 8 miles of classic ski trail groomed by a volunteer sponsored by the Friends of Lake Bronson State Park (a Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required for skiers 16 and up), 3 miles of groomed snowmobile trail that connect outside the park, and snowshoeing off the groomed trails. Year-round water and flush toilets are at the visitor center.
• After the project: the DNR expects completion by July 2027 (park page) or summer 2027 (project page). Check the park page before planning lake activities.

What it costs

From the DNR vehicle permit page and fee schedule, before tax. Campsite 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). For multi-night stays, ask the park which permit covers your whole stay; the year-round permit covers every visit for a year.

Getting there

The DNR places the park 2 miles east of the town of Lake Bronson, with access on County Highway 28. County Road 28 over the dam is closed during the project, and the DNR project page shows a signed detour, so confirm the route with the park before you drive.

Lake Bronson is one of the northwest Minnesota parks. Others in the region include Hayes Lake State Park near Roseau and Old Mill State Park; compare more with the park finder.

Before you go

1. Check the DNR alert for the current dam project status and closures.
2. Do not plan on swimming, fishing or boating until the project is complete.
3. Reserve Two Rivers Campground in season; leave large rigs at home or call ahead about the narrow roads.
4. Call ahead if you need the office, since hours depend on staffing.
5. Bring a horse pass if you are riding.
6. Buy firewood at the office or through Yodel; gathering firewood is not allowed.

Related guides: Northwest Minnesota guides · Itasca State Park · Maplewood State Park · Camping guides

---

Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Lake Bronson State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alerts, history): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00208
• Minnesota DNR, Lake Bronson dam replacement project: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake-bronson-dam-replacement-project.html
• Minnesota DNR, Lake Bronson State Park map and guide (PDF, 2025): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00208.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