John A. Latsch State Park is a Minnesota state park near Altura, covering 1,605 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.
- 1,605acres
- Alturamailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Scenic views
- Migratory birds
- Mississippi River Valley
- Hiking and picnicking
- Towering bluffs
- Forest and prairie
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: The park is named for John A. Latsch, a Winona businessman who donated the land for the establishment of the park in 1925. The first allocation of funds were given to develop the park in 1929. In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps built the park's lone hiking trail a half-mile up the steep ravine to the overlook on Mt.
Wildlife. Many different species of birds pass through the park on their migration route. Coyotes, fox, opossum, timber rattlesnakes and white-tailed deer are present.
History. Steamboat captains on the Mississippi River relied on three rocky-headed bluffs called Faith, Hope and Charity to navigate their way up and down the Mississippi River. These bluffs tower more than 500 feet above the river.
Geology. John Latsch is located in the Blufflands Landscape Region, which is the "driftless" area. When Europeans settled to this area, they experienced a diverse habitat of river bottom forest, oak openings and barrens, and prairie.
Visit Facts
- Addressc/o Whitewater State Park 19041 Highway 74 Altura, MN 55910
- Phone507-312-2300
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThis park does not have office hours. For information, contact Whitewater State Park.
- Emailwhitewater.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.17255, -91.83834 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for John A. Latsch State Park
- Entry noteDay-use only; camping not available and no overnight stays permitted
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | — | This steep, half-mile trail leads to the top of Charity Bluff. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in park | — |
Camping and Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Other | No overnight facilities in park | John A. Latsch is a day-use only park. |
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 | One picnic area with tables, fire rings and a grill | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | This is a self-service, unstaffed park that is managed by Whitewater State Park. For more information, call 507-312-2300. |
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
From Winona go approximately 12 miles northwest on U.S. Highway 61.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Whitewater State ParkState Park, about 13 miles away in a straight line
- Carley State ParkState Park, about 17 miles away in a straight line
- Great River Bluffs State ParkState Park, about 26 miles away in a straight line
- Frontenac State ParkState Park, about 35 miles away in a straight line
- Beaver Creek Valley State ParkState Park, about 39 miles away in a straight line
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State ParkState Park, about 42 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
- Great River Bluffs 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 John A. Latsch State Park?
It is near Altura, Minnesota. The DNR address is c/o Whitewater State Park 19041 Highway 74 Altura, MN 55910.
How much does it cost to visit John A. Latsch 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 John A. Latsch 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
- John A. Latsch 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.