Glendalough State Park is a Minnesota state park near Battle Lake, covering 2,761 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.
- 2,761acres
- Battle Lakemailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Cart-in tent camping and yurts
- Hiking and biking
- Wildlife observation
- Heritage fishing/large panfish
- Canoeing on Chain of Lakes
- Sandy swimming beach
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 transition zone between prairie and hardwood forest, Glendalough offers a true respite from civilization. Crystal clear Annie Battle Lake is a 335-acre, non-motorized "Heritage Fishery" that provides a tranquil fishing experience second to none.
Wildlife. Glendalough is home to abundant populations of white-tailed deer, raccoon, red fox, and smaller mammals. The park also offers excellent birdwatching for a variety of species of prairie, wetland, and hardwood forest birds.
History. The park is named after Gleann Da Loch (Glendalough) in Ireland, which means "Valley of Two Lakes" in Irish. On Earth Day 1990, this largely natural and undeveloped property was donated to The Nature Conservancy.
Geology. Leaf Hills, like those in another state park, Glacial Lakes, is a term often used to describe the hills evident in Otter Tail County. The hills were created by glacial ice and meltwater deposits of sand gravel.
Visit Facts
- Address24869 Whitetail Lane Battle Lake, MN 56515
- Phone218-261-6900
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursMonday – Friday 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday- Sunday – 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Emailglendalough.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point46.31145, -95.67996 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Glendalough State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Self-Guided | Two trails | Beaver Pond Trail is one and four-tenths miles. Prairie Hill Trail is six-tenths of a mile. |
| Summer | Hiking | Nine miles | Trail access from picnic area and trail center. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | Six mile loop | The paved Glendalough Trail is entirely separate from the park's roads, and features a three-mile one-way spur that goes to shops and restaurants in the City of Battle Lake. It is a six-mile round trip loop. |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | Two miles | Mountain biking is allowed on the Lake Emma Trail Loop and extension along the northern shoreline of Lake Emma. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | 8 miles | The park offers 8 miles of groomed, easy-to-intermediate cross-country ski trails. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up. Cross-country ski rentals are available from the ranger station. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | 2 miles of packed snow | You may snowshoe anywhere in the park, except on groomed ski trails. Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station. |
Camping and Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accessible Sites | 1 accessible site | The park has 1 accessible site in the cart-in campground. |
| Cart-in Sites | 22 sites | Campsites are in a wooded area from 200 to 1,200 feet from parking. For each campsite, a wheeled cart is available at no charge for campers to carry their gear. No vehicles are allowed in the campground area. |
| Canoe-in Sites | Three sites on the northeast shore of Annie Battle Lake | These sites can also be accessed by foot or bicycle. |
| Group Camp | — | The group camp accommodates up to 40 people. It is located next to a shaded creek between Molly Stark and Annie Battle Lakes, a short distance from the swimming beach, fishing pier, picnic shelter and the Annie Battle Lake Trail. There are seven picnic tables, six fire rings and a group ring, with rustic toilets and a hand pump for water. Tents only. |
| Accessible Lodging | 1 accessible camper cabin | — |
| Camper Cabins | — | Four camper cabins, available year-round. Each has electricity and a propane 'fireplace.' Wheeled carts are provided to carry your gear. The cart-in path is plowed in winter. Cabin Three is accessible and sleeps five, the other cabins sleep six. No pets allowed. More information on camper cabins. |
| Other | — | Two yurts on Annie Battle Lake are available year-round. Both yurts are cart-in, canoe-in, backpack or bicycle access only and are up to two miles from parking. Neither yurt is accessible by vehicle. The trail to the yurts is packed after snowfall, and sleds replace carts in the winter. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Pier | Molly Stark Lake | The pier is accessible. |
| Swimming Beach | — | — |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Picnic tables and shelter along Molly Stark Lake | — |
| Picnic Shelter | Accessible open shelter | Located near Molly Stark Lake. Shelter has electricity and accommodates 100 people. Call the park to reserve. |
| Canoe Access | Carry-in access only | — |
| Other | Two wildlife observation areas | One observation area is on Battle Creek, the other is on Lake Emma. Stop at the ranger station to borrow free binoculars and field guides. |
| Warming House | Dining hall, historic lodge | — |
| Sliding Hill | Prairie Hill Trail | — |
| Other | Ice fishing | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | Located one mile down the park's entrance road. Look for the solar panels. |
| Naturalist Programs | — | Interpretive programs are occasionally held at the trail center. Check the calendar. |
| Gift Shop | — | Park patches, pins, hiking stick medallions and club kits are available at the ranger station. |
| Rentals | — | Bicycles and watercraft (canoe, kayak, boat, paddleboard) are available seasonally at the Goose Nest concession site by the Annie Battle Lake carry-in boat access. Skis and snowshoes are available for winter rental at the ranger station. |
| Firewood | — | Firewood is available at the ranger station. |
| Other | — | The lodge and trail center can be reserved year-round for meetings and events for up to 40 people. Both buildings have tables, chairs, bathrooms, water, electricity, refrigerator, microwave and sink, and are located on the shore of Annie Battle Lake with views of the lake and swimming area. Call the park to reserve. |
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 allowed. No pets, open flames or cooking are allowed inside yurts.
Directions
From the town of Battle Lake, go 1.5 miles north on State Hwy. #78 and 1.8 miles east on Ottertail Co. Hwy #16 to the park entrance.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Maplewood State ParkState Park, about 21 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Carlos State ParkState Park, about 27 miles away in a straight line
- Glacial Lakes State ParkState Park, about 54 miles away in a straight line
- Buffalo River State ParkState Park, about 54 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 Central Lakes & St. Cloud
- Mille Lacs Lake
- Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
- Crow Wing State Park
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
- Father Hennepin State Park
- Glacial Lakes State Park
- Lake Carlos State Park
- Lake Maria State Park
- Maplewood State Park
- Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
- Events in Central Lakes & St. Cloud
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Glendalough State Park?
It is near Battle Lake, Minnesota. The DNR address is 24869 Whitetail Lane Battle Lake, MN 56515.
How much does it cost to visit Glendalough 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 Glendalough 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
- Glendalough 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.