Monson Lake State Park

This guide is for anglers and campers who want a small, low-key park in west-central Minnesota, and for anyone interested in its history: the DNR says the site began as a local memorial to settlers who died during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. It covers the campground, fishing and paddling, the trail, seasons, fees and how the park works without a staffed office. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park page and the park map unless a line says otherwise; sources are listed at the end.

The park in brief

The DNR's two sources give different founding dates. The DNR park page says Monson Lake "became a Minnesota state park in 1937" and was a local memorial park before that. The 2018 park map says the park "was created in 1923 in memory of victims of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862." Both describe the same purpose.

According to the DNR, the earlier local park remembered members of the Broberg and Lundborg families who died during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The DNR's history says that on August 20, 1862, Dakota attacked the West Lake Settlement and 13 people were killed, and that Anna Stina Broberg, then 16, and her cousin Peter Broberg were the only two survivors of the attack. An account on the Minnesota Historical Society's U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 site, written by a Lundborg family descendant, places the start of the attack at Daniel Broberg's cabin, at the present-day site of the park. The DNR says two historical markers stand near the 1862 Broberg cabin site, and an interpretive kiosk explains the events of that day.

Camping at Monson Lake

The DNR record describes one small campground near the lake:

The park has no camper cabins or group camps listed in the DNR record. If you want a cabin nearby, Sibley State Park has four heated cabins.

Reservations: the DNR says Monson Lake sites can be reserved up to 120 days ahead through ReserveMN or by calling 1-866-857-2757. Statewide, every campsite needs a reservation, and new dates open at 8 a.m. Central, per the DNR reservation FAQ. See the state park reservation guide for how the window works.

Fishing and paddling

The DNR lists walleye, northern pike, bass and sunfish in Monson Lake, and the park map says the park "is especially noted for 'lunker' bass." Facilities on the water:

• Fishing pier: a wooden pier for shore anglers.
• Boat access and docks: a launch on Monson Lake.
• Paddling: bring your own canoe or kayak (the map lists no rentals), paddle across Monson Lake from the launch, and portage a short distance to West Sunburg Lake.

Birders look for white pelicans, herons, western grebes, shorebirds and waterfowl, according to the DNR. The park sits in the Alexandria Glacial Moraine Complex, and the DNR says Monson and Sunburg lakes were formed by melting ice in the glacial till. For more fishing parks, see Minnesota fishing guides.

The trail and picnic area

The DNR park page's trail listing gives 1.2 miles of trail with views of Monson Lake and West Sunburg Lake, mostly through woodland; its seasonal update says 1 mile, and the 2018 park map lists a 1-mile loop on mowed grass that is mostly flat. In winter, the DNR says the walking trails are "closed/use at your discretion" because of snow and unplowed roads.

The park map says the stone shelter was built in the 1930s by the Veterans Conservation Corps.

When to go

Monson Lake is a summer park in practice. As of November 2026, the DNR says:

• Showers and flush toilets: closed until May 28, 2027; showers are scheduled for May 28 to September 7, 2027.
• Drinking water: closed until May 28, 2027. The spigot is near the picnic shelter.
• Toilets: two vault toilets are open year-round.
• Trails in winter: closed or at your own discretion, with unplowed roads.

Fees and permits

From the DNR vehicle permit page and fee schedule, tax not included:

Example (derived from the fee ranges above): two nights at a non-electric site cost 2 × $20 + $8 = $48 to 2 × $35 + $8 = $78, plus a vehicle permit ($7 overnight or $35 year-round). With electricity, add $20 for the two nights. For multi-night stays, ask Sibley State Park which permit covers your whole stay.

Because the park is not continually staffed, buy your permit online before you arrive.

Getting there

The DNR directions: access is off State Highway 9, just west of Sunburg, via County Road 95. Sunburg is the nearest town. Sibley State Park, where you buy firewood ordered through Yodel and Monson Lake patches and stickers, is 14 miles away by the DNR's count. Browse more Prairie and Minnesota River parks or use the park finder.

Before you go

1. Buy a vehicle permit online; there is no staffed office.
2. Reserve your site in advance, and look for an "E" after the number if you need power.
3. Fill water and empty tanks elsewhere; the park has no dump station.
4. Bring your own canoe or kayak for the portage to West Sunburg Lake.
5. Bring approved firewood, or arrange it through the campground host or Yodel pickup at Sibley; gathering it is against park rules.
6. Call Sibley State Park at 320-347-7810 with questions.

Related guides: Sibley State Park · Lac qui Parle State Park · Glacial Lakes State Park · Big Stone Lake State Park

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Monson Lake State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alert, history): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00238
• Minnesota DNR, Monson Lake State Park map and guide (PDF, 2018): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00238.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
• Minnesota Historical Society, The West Lake Attack (U.S.-Dakota War of 1862): https://www.mnhs.org/usdakotawar/stories/history/west-lake-attack