Camden State Park is a Minnesota state park near Lynd, covering 2,247 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.
- 2,247acres
- Lyndmailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Fishing
- Fall colors
- Dakota Overlook
- Wildflowers
- Native and restored prairies
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: Camden State Park offers much for visitors to enjoy. Fish for brown trout in the Redwood River or bass and bluegill in Brawner Lake. Hike the trails or cool off in the spring-fed pool. Walk along the wooded river valley, climb the Dakota Valley Trail to the lookout for great fall colors, or go canoeing on Brawner Lake.
Wildlife. One hundred fifty years ago, buffalo, elk, wolves, prairie chickens, and golden eagles were an integral part of life here. They are gone now.
History. Camden State Park is named after the former town site located near the north picnic area. In 1874 the village of Camden was established.
Geology. Camden lies in an area of southwestern Minnesota called Coteau des Prairies, which means highland of the prairie. It is a high plateau that rises 900 feet, at its summit.
Visit Facts
- Address1897 Camden Park Road Lynd, MN 56157
- Phone507-872-7031
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursOffice hours vary. Call ahead if you will need to speak with someone in the ranger station. Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Emailcamden.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.35570, -95.91812 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Camden State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Self-Guided | One and seven-tenths miles | — |
| Summer | Hiking | 15.8 miles | — |
| Summer | Paved Bike | One and one-tenth miles | Park trail connects to the Camden Regional Trail to Marshall. |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | Four and one-quarter miles | There are also one and one-tenth miles of rake-and-ride singletrack. |
| Summer | Horse | Ten miles | — |
| Winter | Snowshoe | — | You may snowshoe anywhere in the park that isn't groomed for another use. Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 80 sites | Located in the upper and lower campgrounds. |
| Pull-Through Sites | Seven sites, 60-foot RV limit | All are electric sites, located in the upper campground. |
| Electric Sites | 47 sites | 21 in the upper campground and 26 in the lower campground. |
| RV Length Limit | 50-60 feet | Length is measured from the front of tow vehicle to rear of the vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 2 sites | Two accessible drive-in campsites are in the Lower Campground. One site has electric hookup. |
| Horse Camp | Four sites | The horse campground is also part of one of the group camps. Horse campers, please call ahead so we can try to avoid mixing user groups. |
| Group Camp | Two group camps available | Group camp #1 is tent only with an enclosed shelter and toilet building. Do not park camper trailers or vehicles in this group camp unless you're loading or unloading. Park vehicles in the parking lot for the duration of your stay. This group camp is shaded and quiet, located across the Redwood River from the South Picnic Area nestled in the oak woods. |
| Accessible Lodging | — | Redwood Lodge is accessible. |
| Lodge | — | Accessible historic house that accomodates up to 8. See details about the Redwood Lodge. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Brawner Lake and the Redwood River | — |
| Fishing | — | Fish for brown trout in the Redwood River or bass and bluegill in Brawner Lake. |
| Fishing Pier | Brawner Lake | The pier is accessible. |
| Swimming Beach | — | — |
| Boat Access | Drive-in | — |
| Boating Restrictions | Electric motors only. | — |
| Boat Docks | Brawner Lake | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Accessible | Three picnic areas. |
| Picnic Shelter | Two shelters, both accessible | One open and one enclosed picnic shelter. Both have electricity, and the enclosed shelter has a wood stove. Call the park to reserve. |
| Playground | — | — |
| Horseshoes | North picnic area | Pick up equipment at the park office. |
| Canoe Access | Brawner Lake | — |
| Warming House | Enclosed shelter in south picnic area | The enclosed picnic shelter becomes a warming house in winter. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | — |
| Historic Site | Jones Mill site | Visit the park office for more information. |
| Gift Shop | Nature Store in park office | — |
| Rentals | — | Canoe, kayak, paddleboat and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available from the ranger station seasonally. Snowshoe rentals are available in winter. Fishing kits (rod, reel, stocked tackle box), birding kits, GPS units, 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 at park office | — |
| Ice Sales | Available at park office | — |
| Other | — | — |
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
Go 3 miles southwest of Lynd on Hwy 23 or from Marshall, go 10 miles south on Hwy 23.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Lake Shetek State ParkState Park, about 22 miles away in a straight line
- Split Rock Creek State ParkState Park, about 39 miles away in a straight line
- Lac Qui Parle State ParkState Park, about 46 miles away in a straight line
- Blue Mounds State ParkState Park, about 46 miles away in a straight line
- Fort Ridgely State ParkState Park, about 59 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 Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands
- Pipestone National Monument
- Big Stone Lake State Park
- Blue Mounds State Park
- Flandrau State Park
- Fort Ridgely State Park
- Kilen Woods State Park
- Lac Qui Parle State Park
- Lake Shetek State Park
- Minneopa State Park
- Monson Lake State Park
- Events in Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Camden State Park?
It is near Lynd, Minnesota. The DNR address is 1897 Camden Park Road Lynd, MN 56157.
How much does it cost to visit Camden 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 Camden 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
- Camden 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.