Southwest Minnesota State Parks

Sweeping prairies with swaying grasses dominate the landscape of southwest Minnesota. Our family scanned those horizons for buffalo and slept in a tipi to experience all the offerings of five southwest Minnesota state parks in just two days. Our trip was part of our quest to visit all the state parks. After this trip our hiking shoes will have traipsed through 50 of those parks, leaving just a couple dozen left to complete.

Day 1: Upper Sioux Agency, Camden, Split Rock Creek and Blue Mounds State Parks

Our visit to Minnesota’s southern most state parks started with a stop at Upper Sioux Agency State Park near Granite Falls. The park was established to preserve the historic buildings of the agency. Indian Agencies were established to implement United States government and Indian policies. We visited the upper portion of the park to see the historic buildings and learn more about the agency’s role in attempts to assimilate the Dakota people into American society. Walking through this area took just 30 minutes. Next we made our way to Camden State Park.

Upper Sioux Agency State Park

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At Camden State Park, we had a quick picnic lunch before making our way to the spring-fed swimming pond. The water here is very clear and looks like a great place to swim. The weather was a bit cool when we were there so we did not partake. Instead, we hiked to the overlook of the Redwood River on the Dakota Valley Trail (about 1 mile round trip). Camden is a unique, wooded oasis in the middle of the vast prairies of the area.

Camden State Park

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Split Rock Creek State Park

Our final stop on the first day of visiting parks in southwest Minnesota was Split Rock Creek. Prairie Hill and the assortment of wildflowers located there are a park feature. Unfortunately, our visit in late June meant we missed the wildflower blooms. Instead we walked a half mile of the park’s only trail to the Split Rock Creek Dam. Oh, the excitement and squealing when the boys spotted several large turtles and a few giant carp below the dam.

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Blue Mounds State Park

We ended our first day of touring southwest Minnesota state parks at Blue Mounds and spent the night in a tipi. When we arrived late in the day, we walked to the dam and let the boys wade in the water. We also walked a bit of the Mound Trail nearest the tipi campground for amazing views of the prairie and a pink sunset.

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Our night in a tipi was a trip highlight for the boys. The tipi was very large and spacious. It comfortably slept the four of us. Preparing to stay in a tipi is similar to a stay at one of Minnesota State Park’s camper cabins\ or yurts. You bring all the creature comforts but the shelter is provided. We used our backcountry sleeping pads and sleeping bags for bedding. The wooden floor of the tipi was an added layer of comfort; no dirt floor and ensured we stayed dry.

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The tipi can be closed when rainy weather is in the forecast. There was sunshine and blue skies during our stay so we opted to keep the tipi open and slept under the stars. I was a bit worried about mosquitos but was pleasantly surprised to see not a one of those pesky buggers.

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The boys loved the tipi and when not sleeping in it just hung out in there reading books or playing cards. We highly recommend an overnight in one for a unique camping experience.

Day 2: Blue Mounds and Lake Shetek State Parks

Prior to making our way back home we hiked the Eagle Rock Vista trail to try to spy a glimpse of the bison hear at blue Mounds. No luck. We did see them but they were far away. We did find a blooming prickly pear cactus though. Minnesota and cactus in the same sentence. Fun find.

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Our final stop was to Lake Shetek State Park. Here we walked the one-mile Loon Island Loop Trail before making the drive home. We had a great time exploring southwest Minnesota state parks. For more hiking and camping adventures with Mommy Baggage, see our posts on Banning, Interstate and Itasca State Parks.

Happy Adventuring, Rochelle