Great River Bluffs State Park is a Minnesota state park near Winona, covering 2,786 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.
- 2,786acres
- Winonamailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Scenic blufftop views of Mississippi River Valley
- Fall colors
- Goat prairies
- Prairie plants/flowers
- Camping/hiking/picnicking
- Birdwatching
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: This is beautiful bluff country! The park contains two Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs), King's and Queen's Bluff. The King's Bluff trail offers a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River Valley. Bring your binoculars; the river valley is a major flyway for waterfowl, eagles, and hawks.
Wildlife. The park attracts more than 35 species of mammals, 17 species of reptiles and amphibians, and well over 100 species of birds. Rabbits, mice, and ground squirrels are common in the patches of prairie in the park.
History. The park was originally named O.L. Kipp State Park, after Orin Lansing Kipp. Kipp had a 41-year career with Minnesota's Highway Department and was instrumental in shaping the development of the state highway system.
Geology. Glaciers made what Minnesota is today. These ice sheets, up to two miles thick, made lakes, filled in valleys, created hills, and moved millions of tons of rock and soil.
Visit Facts
- Address43605 Kipp Drive Winona, MN 55987
- Phone507-312-2650
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursEmail the park at: greatriverbluffs.statepark@state.mn.us
- Emailgreatriverbluffs.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point43.93727, -91.42939 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Great River Bluffs State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Self-Guided | Two and one-half miles | Interpretive signs along trail. |
| Summer | Hiking | Six and one-half miles | Easy trails with scenic overlooks of Mississippi River Valley. Excellent area to see fall colors. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | Three miles | Easy to moderate. Some trails are groomed. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in park | Snowshoe to one of the many scenic overlooks. Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except on groomed trails. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 31 sites in a single loop campground | Back-in sites. Sites are private, with good vegetation between them. |
| RV Length Limit | 60 feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 2 sites | There are two accessible drive-in campsites in the Great River Campground. They are located near restrooms. |
| Cart-in Sites | Four rustic sites – tents only! | Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Drinking water and rustic toilets nearby. |
| Bike-in Sites | Five sites | Bicycle campground is located on Highway 61 at mile marker 12, and is not accessible from the main park areas. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
The DNR lists no water recreation here.
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | 12 picnic sites | Picnic tables and grills near a trail that leads to scenic overlooks. Area includes more secluded picnic sites. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | One mile from park entrance | Office hours vary in winter. |
| Gift Shop | Small Nature Store | — |
| Rentals | — | Birding kits and kids discovery kits (activities and stories for ages 5-12) are free to check out at the ranger station. |
| Firewood | — | Available seasonally when park office is open. |
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
Approximately 20 miles southeast of Winona at the junction of U.S. Highway 61 and Interstate 90. Park entrance is accessed off of County Road 3. Coming from the west or southeast via I90, take exit 267 and follow park signs. Coming from Winona, south on Hwy 61 (just past mile marker 15), take a right on County Road 3 for 4 miles to the park entrance.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Beaver Creek Valley State ParkState Park, about 21 miles away in a straight line
- John A. Latsch State ParkState Park, about 26 miles away in a straight line
- Whitewater State ParkState Park, about 32 miles away in a straight line
- Carley State ParkState Park, about 39 miles away in a straight line
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State ParkState Park, about 45 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 South Lakes & Bluff Country
- Lake Pepin
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park
- Carley State Park
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
- Frontenac State Park
- John A. Latsch State Park
- Lake Louise State Park
- Myre-Big Island State Park
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
- Rice Lake State Park
- Events in South Lakes & Bluff Country
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Great River Bluffs State Park?
It is near Winona, Minnesota. The DNR address is 43605 Kipp Drive Winona, MN 55987.
How much does it cost to visit Great River Bluffs 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 Great River Bluffs 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
- Great River Bluffs 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.