La Salle Lake State Recreation Area is a Minnesota state recreation area near Solway, covering 986 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.
- 986acres
- Solwaymailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Fishing
- Boating
- Camping
- Unique Ecosystem
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
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: La Salle Lake State Recreation Area is Minnesota's newest state recreation area. It offers a great wilderness experience and peaceful getaway amid red and jack pine forests and woodlands. Take advantage of fishing opportunities on Minnesota's deepest inland lake at 213 feet.
Wildlife. At 221 acres and 213 feet deep, with over 18,600 feet of shoreline, LaSalle Lake is one of Minnesota's most pristine and deepest lakes.
History. In the early 1990s, an early Native American Elk Lake Culture prehistoric site was discovered adjacent to LaSalle Creek near the outlet of LaSalle Lake.
Geology. Because the side slopes of the LaSalle Creek glacial tunnel valley and LaSalle Lake's bottom are so steep, the lake's littoral zone is relatively narrow and represents a very small portion of the lake's surface area.
Visit Facts
- AddressPicnic Area and Canoe Launch: 9887 County 9, Solway, MN 56678 Boat Launch and Cabins: 10045 County 9, Solway, MN 56678 Campground: 10221 County 9, Solway, MN 56678
- Phone218-699-7251
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThis location does not have office hours. For information, contact Itasca State Park.
- Emailitasca.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point47.34800, -95.16604 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for La Salle Lake State Recreation Area
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | 11.5 miles | There are miles of trails that take you to the most pristine parts of the recreation area. Please refer to the "maps" link on the left-hand side of the page to find trails within the park. |
| Winter | Snowmobile | — | The Itasca-Bemidji GIA snowmobile trail is available within portions of the recreation area. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in recreation area | Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the state recreation area, except on groomed snowmobile trails. |
Camping and Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 39 sites | — |
| Electric Sites | All sites | All sites have full sewer, water and electric hookup. |
| Accessible Sites | 3 | The campground has three accessible drive-in sites. All three have electric/water/sewer hookups. |
| Accessible Lodging | — | The Black Bear Guest House is accessible. |
| Cabins | Lone Wolf Cabin | Available year-round. Sleeps four. See details and photos. |
| Guest House | Black Bear Guest House | Available year-round. The guest house is accessible and sleeps 10. See details and photos. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | LaSalle Lake | LaSalle Lake is the deepest inland lake in Minnesota reaching depths of 213 feet. |
| Fishing | LaSalle Lake | The lake supports walleye, northern pike, large mouth bass, black crappie and bluegill sunfish populations. Look for posted signs highlighting special fishing regulations. |
| Fishing Pier | LaSalle Lake | Located on one of Minnesota's most pristine lakes, LaSalle Lake supports walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie and bluegill sunfish populations. Look for posted signs highlighting special fishing regulations. |
| Swimming Beach | — | Natural swimming on LaSalle Lake as there is no specific swimming beach. |
| Boat Access | LaSalle Lake | Small boat access with limited parking. |
| Boating Restrictions | LaSalle Lake | Motor boats allowed with a 10 mph speed limit. |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
| Canoe Access | LaSalle Creek | Canoe and kayak access point onto LaSalle Creek. |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Day use area | Located on the north end of LaSalle Lake. Includes: picnic shelter, vault toilets and nature play area with a gorgeous view of LaSalle Lake. |
| Picnic Shelter | Open shelter | Has electricity and countertop great for a buffet style setup. Picnic shelter is available for rent by calling Itasca State Park at 218-699-7251. |
| Playground | Nature play area | Located in the day use area, this nature play area has been uniquely constructed in the shape of Minnesota, made with all natural materials and is accessible. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | Located at Itasca State Park | For information on this state recreation area, contact Itasca State Park at 218-699-7251. |
| Firewood | — | Self serve firewood available in campground. |
| Public Phones | — | Emergency phones are located in the campground shower building, Lone Wolf Cabin and Black Bear Guesthouse. |
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
La Salle Lake State Recreation Area is located 233 miles northwest of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area and eight miles north of Itasca State Park. From the north entrance of Itasca State Park, proceed north on Clearwater County Road 2 for 6 miles. Turn right onto Clearwater County Road 40 and proceed 4 miles. CR 40 becomes Hubbard County Road 9.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Itasca State ParkState Park, about 7 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Bemidji State ParkState Park, about 20 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 North Lakes
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- Leech Lake
- Big Bog State Recreation Area
- Garden Island State Recreation Area
- Hayes Lake State Park
- Itasca State Park
- Lake Bemidji State Park
- Zippel Bay State Park
- Events in North Lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is La Salle Lake State Recreation Area?
It is near Solway, Minnesota. The DNR address is Picnic Area and Canoe Launch: 9887 County 9, Solway, MN 56678 Boat Launch and Cabins: 10045 County 9, Solway, MN 56678 Campground: 10221 County 9, Solway, MN 56678.
How much does it cost to visit La Salle Lake State Recreation Area?
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 La Salle Lake State Recreation Area?
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
- La Salle Lake State Recreation Area (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.