Prairie and farmland from the cliff at Blue Mounds State Park

Prairie & Minnesota River

Southwest and west-central Minnesota: native prairie, the Minnesota River valley and the lakes along the South Dakota border.

Photo: Danielle Golon, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Planning guides

Wooden dock reaching into Big Stone Lake under a sky of heavy white clouds at Big Stone Lake State Park near Ortonville

Big Stone Lake State Park

Big Stone Lake State Park guide: 37 campsites (13 lakeside, 10 electric) near Ortonville, fishing at the Minnesota River source, prairie trails, fees, seasons.

Pink Sioux Quartzite cliff and broken rock below green prairie and shrubs under a blue sky at Blue Mounds State Park

Blue Mounds State Park

Blue Mounds State Park guide: the bison herd and prairie tours, the 100-foot quartzite cliff, rock climbing, 71 campsites plus 14 cart-in, trails, fees and seasons.

A park bench on mowed grass beside a calm pond, with bare and autumn-colored trees behind, at Camden State Park

Camden State Park

Camden State Park planning guide: 80 campsites and Redwood Lodge, the Dakota Valley overlook trail, Redwood River trout and Brawner Lake, fees and seasons.

The Cottonwood River bending below a steep, eroded sand bluff topped with green summer forest in Flandrau State Park

Flandrau State Park

Flandrau State Park planning guide: 72 campsites and camper cabins in New Ulm, the sand-bottom swim pond, 8 miles of hiking, ski trails, fees and seasons.

Fort Ridgely Creek running over a rocky bed between dense green summer trees in Fort Ridgely State Park

Fort Ridgely State Park

Fort Ridgely State Park planning guide: campsites, horse camp, chalet and farmhouse, 9 miles of hiking, the historic fort site, fees, seasons and directions.

A circle of wooden benches in tall autumn grass with Signalness Lake behind it at Glacial Lakes State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park planning guide: 37 campsites and 6 camper cabins near Starbuck, prairie hills trails, Signalness Lake fishing and swimming, fees.

The Des Moines River curving past bare trees and brown fall grass under a clear blue sky at Kilen Woods State Park

Kilen Woods State Park

Kilen Woods State Park planning guide: 33 campsites on the Des Moines River near Lakefield, 5 miles of prairie and oak trails, self-service permits, hunt closures.

Open, grassy campsites with picnic tables under a cloudy sky in the Lac qui Parle State Park campground

Lac qui Parle State Park

Lac qui Parle State Park near Watson: 43 seasonal campsites with full hookups, cabins, the goose migration, walleye fishing, the closed lower campground and fees.

A dock on Lake Shetek near the picnic area at sunset in Lake Shetek State Park

Lake Shetek State Park

Lake Shetek State Park near Currie: full-hookup and electric campsites, cabins, the Loon Island trail, fishing and boat rentals, the bike loop, fees and seasons.

Minneopa Falls spilling over a wide rock ledge into Minneopa Creek, framed by green trees, at Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park near Mankato: the double waterfall, Bison Drive hours, 58 to 61 campsites and a year-round cabin, plus permit costs and current closures.

Monson Lake under a sweeping cloud bank at Monson Lake State Park near Sunburg, Minnesota

Monson Lake State Park

Monson Lake State Park near Sunburg: the small 20-site campground, bass and walleye fishing, the paddle to West Sunburg Lake, 1862 history, fees and seasons.

View from Mt. Tom at dusk over a wide stretch of treetops in Sibley State Park, Minnesota

Sibley State Park

Sibley State Park near New London: the Mount Tom hike, Lake Andrew beach and fishing, 99 campsites and 4 heated cabins, winter skiing, fees and closures.

The stone Split Rock Creek dam and bridge in autumn at Split Rock Creek State Park near Jasper

Split Rock Creek State Park

Split Rock Creek State Park guide: 33 campsites on Split Rock Lake, the beach and fishing pier, the WPA dam, prairie trails, winter, fees and directions.

State parks in this region

13 state parks. Compare all 64 in the park finder.

ParkNearest townCampingDetails
Big Stone LakeOrtonville37 drive-in, 10 electricOur guide
DNR page
Blue MoundsLuvernedrive-in, electric, cart-inOur guide
DNR page
CamdenLynd80 drive-in, 47 electricOur guide
DNR page
FlandrauNew Ulmdrive-in, electric, walk-in; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Fort RidgelyFairfaxdrive-in, electric, walk-inOur guide
DNR page
Glacial LakesMinneapolis and St. Paul37 drive-in, 14 electric, 4 backpack; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Kilen WoodsLakefield33 drive-in, 11 electric, 4 walk-in, 1 canoe-inOur guide
DNR page
Lac Qui ParleWatson43 drive-in, 37 electric, 3 cart-in; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Lake ShetekCurrie66 drive-in, 64 electric, 7 cart-in; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
MinneopaMankato61 drive-in, 6 electric; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Monson LakeSunburgdrive-inOur guide
DNR page
SibleyNew Londondrive-in, electric; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Split Rock CreekJasperdrive-in, electric, cart-inOur guide
DNR page

Source: Minnesota DNR park data, retrieved November 11, 2026. Check the DNR page before you go.