Minnesota’s state parks are not free to enter: a vehicle permit costs $7 for a day or $35 for a year. The Minnesota DNR lists 72 state parks and recreation areas below, from Afton to Zippel Bay (64 state parks and 8 state recreation areas). Prices and rules were read on the DNR pages on 2026-10-19.
Vehicle permit prices
| Permit | Price |
|---|---|
| One-day vehicle permit (all vehicles, including motorcycles) | $7 |
| Year-round vehicle permit (valid one year from the month of purchase) | $35 |
| Additional vehicle permit (other vehicles you own) | $26 |
| Year-round motorcycle permit | $30 |
| Year-round permit for persons with disabilities (needs a Minnesota disability plate or certificate, a state-issued permit or a Federal Access Pass) | $12 |
| One-day group permit (10 or more vehicles, 24 hours’ notice) | $5 |
Disabled veterans and active-duty military can get discounted or free permits, and a one-day permit is free for vehicles carrying students and staff on school-sanctioned activities. The DNR fees page lists no senior discount and no free days. Source: Minnesota DNR state park fees, read 2026-10-19; the page shows no effective date, so check it before you go.
Dogs and other pets
The DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks if they are on a leash six feet or shorter, or effectively restrained by a portable enclosure, and personally attended at all times. Only service animals are allowed in park buildings, lodging, cabins, camper cabins, yurts and tipis, on tours, and in beach areas. Individual park pages did not publish their own dog rules, so we list none park by park. Source: Minnesota state park and recreation area rules, read 2026-10-19.
All 72 parks and recreation areas
| Park (type, town, notes from the park page) | Region |
|---|---|
| Afton State Park State Park, Hastings pets not allowed on groomed ski trails |
Twin Cities Metro |
| Fort Snelling State Park State Park, St. Paul Historic Fort Snelling is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society outside the state park; additional entry fees apply |
Twin Cities Metro |
| Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Jordan No ranger station at this location (call Jordan office) |
Twin Cities Metro |
| William O'Brien State Park State Park, Marine on St. Croix |
Twin Cities Metro |
| Banning State Park State Park, Sandstone Free climbing permit from park office for rock climbing |
St. Croix Valley & East Central |
| Interstate State Park State Park, Taylors Falls |
St. Croix Valley & East Central |
| St. Croix State Park State Park, Hinckley |
St. Croix Valley & East Central |
| Wild River State Park State Park, Center City Vehicle permits are not available at Sunrise Landing; buy in advance online or at the ranger station |
St. Croix Valley & East Central |
| Cascade River State Park State Park, Lutsen |
Duluth & North Shore |
| George H. Crosby Manitou State Park State Park, Silver Bay |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Gooseberry Falls State Park State Park, Two Harbors No vehicle permit is necessary to park in the wayside/visitor center lot |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Grand Portage State Park State Park, Grand Portage |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Jay Cooke State Park State Park, Carlton |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Judge C.R. Magney State Park State Park, Grand Marais |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Moose Lake State Park State Park, Moose Lake |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Split Rock Lighthouse State Park State Park, Two Harbors Lighthouse is a Minnesota Historical Society site, not managed by the state park; separate tour fee. If ranger station closed, buy permit online or via QR codes outside |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Temperance River State Park State Park, Schroeder |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Tettegouche State Park State Park, Silver Bay |
Duluth & North Shore |
| Bear Head Lake State Park State Park, Ely |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| Franz Jevne State Park State Park, Birchdale |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| Iron Range OHV State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Gilbert OHV registrations are required; alcohol not permitted anywhere in the area; no camping allowed |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park State Park, Soudan Vehicle permits required everywhere in the park except the main parking lot of the visitor center at the mine; a campfire permit is needed each day for a campfire (includes firewood bunker access) |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| McCarthy Beach State Park State Park, Side Lake |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| Scenic State Park State Park, Bigfork |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| Schoolcraft State Park State Park, Deer River No office hours at this park |
Iron Range & Voyageurs |
| Big Bog State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Waskish |
North Lakes |
| Garden Island State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Williams |
North Lakes |
| Hayes Lake State Park State Park, Roseau |
North Lakes |
| Itasca State Park State Park, Park Rapids |
North Lakes |
| La Salle Lake State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Solway |
North Lakes |
| Lake Bemidji State Park State Park, Bemidji |
North Lakes |
| Zippel Bay State Park State Park, Williams |
North Lakes |
| Buffalo River State Park State Park, Glyndon |
Red River Valley |
| Lake Bronson State Park State Park, Lake Bronson Lake and lakebed closed during dam reconstruction (completion by July 2027); all lake accesses closed |
Red River Valley |
| Old Mill State Park State Park, Argyle Office no longer staffed; buy vehicle permits via self-service QR codes outside office or online before arriving |
Red River Valley |
| Red River State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks |
Red River Valley |
| Charles A. Lindbergh State Park State Park, Little Falls |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Crow Wing State Park State Park, Brainerd |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Ironton |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Father Hennepin State Park State Park, Isle |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Glacial Lakes State Park State Park, Starbuck |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Glendalough State Park State Park, Battle Lake |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Lake Carlos State Park State Park, Carlos |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Lake Maria State Park State Park, Monticello |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Maplewood State Park State Park, Pelican Rapids |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Mille Lacs Kathio State Park State Park, Onamia |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Savanna Portage State Park State Park, McGregor |
Central Lakes & St. Cloud |
| Big Stone Lake State Park State Park, Ortonville |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Blue Mounds State Park State Park, Luverne |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Camden State Park State Park, Lynd |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Flandrau State Park State Park, New Ulm |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Fort Ridgely State Park State Park, Fairfax |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area State Recreation Area, Litchfield Day use only; no facilities |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Kilen Woods State Park State Park, Lakefield |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Lac qui Parle State Park State Park, Watson |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Lake Shetek State Park State Park, Currie |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Minneopa State Park State Park, Mankato |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Monson Lake State Park State Park, Sunburg No office hours; park items sold at Sibley State Park |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Sakatah Lake State Park State Park, Waterville |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Sibley State Park State Park, New London |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Split Rock Creek State Park State Park, Jasper |
Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands |
| Beaver Creek Valley State Park State Park, Caledonia |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Carley State Park State Park, Altura |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park State Park, Preston |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Frontenac State Park State Park, Frontenac |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Great River Bluffs State Park State Park, Winona |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| John A. Latsch State Park State Park, Altura Day-use only; camping not available and no overnight stays permitted |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Lake Louise State Park State Park, LeRoy |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Myre-Big Island State Park State Park, Albert Lea |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Nerstrand Big Woods State Park State Park, Nerstrand All vehicles entering the park require a vehicle permit; buy online beforehand (poor cell service), display confirmation number on dashboard; dogs must be leashed to protect the Dwarf Trout Lilies |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Rice Lake State Park State Park, Owatonna |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
| Whitewater State Park State Park, Altura |
South Lakes & Bluff Country |
Each park name links to its DNR page. The town is the address city on that page, which can be a mailing address rather than the nearest town. Regions are this site’s own groupings of Minnesota counties, assigned from the park’s address, not official boundaries. Notes are quoted from the park pages on 2026-10-19; where a park page shows nothing special, the cell is blank.
Events near the parks
- Twin Cities Metro events
- St. Croix Valley & East Central events
- Duluth & North Shore events
- Iron Range & Voyageurs events
- North Lakes events
- Red River Valley events
- Central Lakes & St. Cloud events
- Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands events
- South Lakes & Bluff Country events
Or see all Minnesota events.
Frequently asked questions
Are Minnesota state parks free?
No. A vehicle permit is required: $7 for one day or $35 for a year, per the Minnesota DNR fees page we read on 2026-10-19. A few parks note exceptions, such as no permit for the wayside lot at Gooseberry Falls.
Are dogs allowed in Minnesota state parks?
Yes, on a leash six feet or shorter, or in a portable enclosure, and attended at all times. They are not allowed in buildings, cabins or on beaches; only service animals are.
How many state parks does Minnesota have?
The DNR’s A to Z list had 72 state parks and state recreation areas when we read it on 2026-10-19.
Where do I buy a vehicle permit?
At the park, or online before you go. Some parks have no staffed office, so each park page says where to buy.
Sources: Minnesota DNR park pages, fees page and rules page, read 2026-10-19. See our editorial standards and verification log.
Cite this page: It's Minnesota, “Minnesota State Parks Guide”, itsminnesota.com/state-parks-passport/ (updated ). By the It's Minnesota editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.