Beaver Creek Valley State Park is a Minnesota state park near Caledonia, covering 1,216 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.
- 1,216acres
- Caledoniamailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Trout fishing
- Hiking
- Bird watching
- Spring woodland flowers
- The "Big Spring"
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: Nestled in the blufflands of southeastern Minnesota, Beaver Creek Valley State Park is known for its clear streams fed by the "Big Spring." Its streams are home to brown and native brook trout. In spring, wildflowers that blanket the woodland hills and valleys attract migratory songbirds like the rare Acadian flycatcher, Cerulean warbler, and Louisiana water thrush.
Wildlife. The great diversity of plant species contribute to a great diversity of wildlife. Deer, raccoon, muskrat, mink, badger, red and gray fox, an occasional beaver, and wild turkey may be spotted in the park.
History. Named for the small spring fed creek flowing through the center of the valley, Beaver Creek Valley State Park was established in 1937 to provide recreational opportunities to the people in the surrounding countryside.
Geology. The park is situated in one of the most interesting geologic areas in Minnesota, the "driftless area." The area covers 10,000 square miles in adjoining parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, which were untouched by the most.
Visit Facts
- Address15954 County 1 Caledonia, MN 55921
- Phone507-724-2107
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursPlease email the park at beavercreek.statepark@state.mn.us
- Emailbeavercreek.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point43.64596, -91.55502 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Beaver Creek Valley State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | Eight miles | — |
| Winter | Snowshoe | — | Snowshoeing is allowed on any of the trails. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 42 sites | Maximum of one tent, six people, and one car per site. Book an additional site if you need more than one tent. Do not park on the campsite grass — vehicles that do not fit on the gravel spurs may park in the picnic parking lot. |
| Electric Sites | 16 sites | — |
| RV Length Limit | 55 feet | Length measures from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | One accessible drive-in site | The site has electric hookup. |
| Cart-in Sites | Nine sites | Must be able to carry in your camping gear (wheelbarrows provided). Sites are located 100-180 yards from parking. |
| Accessible Lodging | 1 accessible camper cabin | — |
| Camper Cabins | 1 | One accessible camper cabin, available seasonally. No pets. More information on camper cabins. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Stream | — |
| Fishing | Trout fishing in the stream | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Accessible | Located near the stream. |
| Picnic Shelter | Accessible | Enclosed shelter with a fireplace and electricity. Call the park to reserve. |
| Playground | In picnic area | — |
| Volleyball | In picnic area | Stop at the park office for a volleyball. |
| Warming House | Accessible | Enclosed picnic shelter doubles as a winter warming house. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | Hours vary seasonally | — |
| Interpretive Exhibit | In the park office | — |
| Gift Shop | — | — |
| Rentals | — | Fishing kits (rod, reel, stocked tackle box), birding kits, and kids discovery kits (activities and stories designed for age 5-12) are available to check out for free at the ranger station. |
| Firewood | — | Available seasonally when park office is open. |
| Public Phones | — | — |
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.
Park-specific: No pets.
Directions
From I-90, take State Highway 76 south for 24 miles, then take Houston County 1 west for 4 miles.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Great River Bluffs State ParkState Park, about 21 miles away in a straight line
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State ParkState Park, about 34 miles away in a straight line
- Whitewater State ParkState Park, about 38 miles away in a straight line
- John A. Latsch State ParkState Park, about 39 miles away in a straight line
- Carley State ParkState Park, about 44 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Louise State ParkState Park, about 48 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
- Carley State Park
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
- Frontenac State Park
- Great River Bluffs 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 Beaver Creek Valley State Park?
It is near Caledonia, Minnesota. The DNR address is 15954 County 1 Caledonia, MN 55921.
How much does it cost to visit Beaver Creek Valley 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 Beaver Creek Valley State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. This park’s page adds limits listed in Pets And Permits above.
Sources
- Beaver Creek Valley 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.