Moose Lake State Park

This guide is for travelers who want an easy overnight stop just off the interstate, and for families planning a lake weekend. It covers the campsites, the trails, what is open in each season, what you pay, and how to get there. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR park page, its live data feed and the 2025 park map unless noted; sources are listed at the end.

The park in brief

The DNR describes the park as "rolling hills surrounded by fields, woods, ponds and fishing lakes." Local residents began pushing for a park in 1962 to add camping in the area, and it was established in 1971. The two lakes, Moosehead and Echo, were created by large ice blocks that melted after the last glacier retreated.

The park staff also manage the Gafvert Campground and day-use area in Nemadji State Forest.

Camping at Moose Lake

The campground has three loops, and the DNR describes the sites as partially shaded. Electric sites are mostly at the south end of the campground.

The DNR's seasonal update counts the same campground as 20 electric and 15 non-electric sites. The maximum RV length is 60 feet, measured from the front of the tow vehicle to the rear of the towed vehicle. There are no camper cabins.

No dump station. The DNR states plainly that Moose Lake State Park does not have one. It points to Jay Cooke and Banning state parks, but as of November 2026 those dump stations are also closed for winter until May 2027.

Showers and flush toilets are in a sanitation building in the campground and run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Vault toilets are open year-round throughout the park.

Reservations: the park lists reservations as "recommended," and the DNR reservation FAQ says state park campsites require a reservation, which you can make up to 120 days before arrival. On the first day a date opens, online booking starts at 8 a.m. Central. Same-day reservations carry no reservation fee. The state park reservations guide walks through ReserveMN step by step.

Echo Lake, trails and the agate center

On the water

Echo Lake is the center of the day-use area. The park has a swimming beach, a boat access and an accessible fishing pier on Echo Lake, and a picnic area next to the beach with tables, fire rings and a tire swing. Volleyball and horseshoe equipment can be picked up at the ranger station.

According to the DNR, anglers fish for northerns, walleyes and largemouth bass in Moosehead and Echo lakes, and for panfish in Echo Lake. Boats, kayaks and canoes rent from the ranger station for $15 for four hours or $25 for a full day (closed until May 1, 2027). The ranger station also lends fishing kits, birding kits, sensory kits and kids' discovery kits free of charge.

Trails

The park has 5 miles of hiking trail and 2 miles of surfaced bike trail. The DNR describes the hiking as easy to moderate, through forest, meadows and along marshes and lakes, with loops around two wildlife ponds. The 2025 park map highlights three loops:

The Willard Munger State Trail runs two miles west of the park. The DNR says it stretches 60 miles from Hinckley to west Duluth.

Agate and Geological Center

The center sits at the park entrance and focuses on the Lake Superior agate, Minnesota's state gemstone, with displays on the rocks, minerals and geology of Minnesota. It is closed until May 1, 2027. For collecting, a DNR park alert updated October 20, 2026 says Carlton County agate picking pit permits are now handled by the Moose Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. For agate hunting on the lakeshore itself, see the Lake Superior agates guide.

When to go

The park is open year-round, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Most services are seasonal. As of November 2026, the DNR lists:

• Campground water, showers and bathrooms: closed through May 7, 2027. Drinking water is available outside the park office year-round.
• Ranger station, visitor center and agate center: closed until May 1, 2027.
• Rentals: closed until May 1, 2027.
• Winter: snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park. There are no groomed ski trails, but backcountry skiers may go anywhere in the park.

There are no naturalist programs at Moose Lake. The DNR notes that Jay Cooke State Park, about 30 minutes north, offers regular programming; see the Jay Cooke State Park guide. The park map also advises preparing for mosquitoes, flies and ticks.

Fees and permits

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

With the office closed until May, buy your permit online before you arrive. Firewood can be bought at the ranger station when it is open or paid for through Yodel once you are in the park; gathering firewood in the park is against state park rules.

Getting there

From I-35, take the Moose Lake exit (#214) and go east on County Road 137. The DNR says the park signs appear about half a mile down the road, and the ranger station is half a mile in from the county road. Groceries and ice are in the town of Moose Lake, within 2 miles.

Moose Lake sits in the Duluth and I-35 corridor along with Banning State Park and Jay Cooke. Use the park finder to compare other parks along the route.

Before you go

1. Reserve a campsite on ReserveMN; walk-in and group sites are the most limited.
2. Fill your RV water tank and plan your dumping elsewhere; there is no dump station.
3. Buy a vehicle permit online while the office is closed.
4. Check the DNR page for spring opening dates for water, showers and the agate center.
5. Bring bug spray and do a tick check after hiking.
6. Buy approved firewood; don't bring your own from home.

Related guides: Banning State Park · Jay Cooke State Park · Savanna Portage State Park · St. Croix State Park

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Moose Lake State Park (camping, trails, seasonal update, alerts): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00239
• Minnesota DNR, Moose Lake State Park map and guide (PDF, 2025): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00239.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