Moose Lake State Park is a Minnesota state park near Moose Lake, covering 1,239 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 1,239acres
- Moose Lakemailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Agate and Geological Center
- Great canoeing on a quiet lake
- Excellent family recreation options
- Wildflowers and wildlife viewing
- Fishing pier
- northerns and panfish
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: Rolling hills surrounded by fields, woods, ponds and fishing lakes make this park popular for hikers, anglers, canoeists, swimmers and campers. Quiet Echo Lake is ideal for catching bass, northerns and panfish. The Willard Munger Trail is located two miles west of the park. The trail stretches for 60 miles from Hinckley to west Duluth.
Wildlife. The open areas of the park, along with the mature hardwood stands, combine to provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species including white-tailed deer, geese, ducks and a variety of songbirds.
History. Beginning in 1962, local residents began working for the establishment of a state park in order to increase the number of camping sites in the area.
Geology. The park lies in an area covered by glacial till and outwash deposits from the last glacier. Large ice blocks which melted after the glacier retreated created both Moosehead and Echo Lakes.
Visit Facts
- Address4252 County Road 137 Moose Lake, MN 55767
- Phone218-460-7001
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursRanger station, visitor center, and Agate & Geological Center CLOSED until May 1, 2027
- Emailmooselake.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point46.43637, -92.73581 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Moose Lake State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | 1/3 miles | Paved trail begins at picnic grounds and goes through the picnic area to the wheelchair accessible fishing pier. |
| Summer | Hiking | 5 Miles | Easy to moderate trails that wind through forest areas, meadows, along marshes and lakes. Trails loop around two wildlife ponds. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere | Showshoe throughout the park. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 33 Sites | Located in three loops of the park's campground. The sites are partially shaded. |
| Electric Sites | 20 Sites | Primarily located in the south end of the campground. All are 30-amp sites. |
| RV Length Limit | 60 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 2 sites | Two accessible drive-in sites with electric hookup are located in the main campground adjacent to the shower building. |
| Walk-in Sites | 2 Sites | Located off one of the campground loops about a 150-foot walk from the parking area. These are more secluded sites. |
| Group Camp | 1 Site – Accommodates up to 45 people | Site includes vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, two 30-amp electric drive-in sites and water faucet. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Pier | Echo Lake | The pier is accessible. |
| Swimming Beach | Within the park | — |
| Boat Access | Echo Lake | — |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | One Main Picnic Area | Picnic area is adjacent to the beach. Includes picnic tables, fire rings, tire swing. |
| Playground | — | — |
| Volleyball | Picnic Area/Beach | Pick up equipment at ranger station. |
| Horseshoes | Picnic Area/Beach | Pick up equipment at ranger station. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | 1/2 Mile From County Road | Turn right off County Road 137. The office is on your right. Stop here for vehicle permits, camping registration and campground self registration station. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | Outside ranger station | Landscape displays are installed outside the ranger station in the summer. |
| Groceries | Within 2 Miles | In the town of Moose Lake. |
| Rentals | — | Canoe, kayak and boat rentals are available from the ranger station. Fishing kits (rod, reel, stocked tackle box), birding kitssensory kits (headphones, fidget toys, calming toys), and kids' discovery kits (activities and stories designed for age 5-12) are available to check out for free at the ranger station. |
| Firewood | Visit ranger station or purchase firewood in the town of Moose Lake. | Help prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by burning only approved firewood. |
| Ice Sales | Within 2 miles | In the town of Moose Lake. |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Directions
Located 1/4 miles east of I-35 at the Moose Lake exit #214. The park entrance is off County Road 137. Take the Moose Lake exit off I-35. Then go east on County Road 137 until you see the park signs about 1/2 mile down the road.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Banning State ParkState Park, about 19 miles away in a straight line
- Jay Cooke State ParkState Park, about 22 miles away in a straight line
- St. Croix State ParkState Park, about 30 miles away in a straight line
- Savanna Portage State ParkState Park, about 33 miles away in a straight line
- Father Hennepin State ParkState Park, about 41 miles away in a straight line
- Mille Lacs Kathio State ParkState Park, about 52 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In Duluth & North Shore
- Canal Park and the Lakewalk, Duluth
- Grand Portage National Monument
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
- Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site
- Superior Hiking Trail
- Cascade River State Park
- George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Grand Portage State Park
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Events in Duluth & North Shore
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Moose Lake State Park?
It is near Moose Lake, Minnesota. The DNR address is 4252 County Road 137 Moose Lake, MN 55767.
How much does it cost to visit Moose Lake State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Moose Lake State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.
Sources
- Moose Lake State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.