Lake Maria State Park is a Minnesota state park near Monticello, covering 1,756 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.
- 1,756acres
- Monticellomailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Secluded Backpack Campsites
- Endangered Blandings Turtle
- Hiking/Spring Wildflowers/Fall Colors
- Nesting Osprey and Eagles
- Remote Ski-in/Walk-in Camper Cabins
- Cross-Country Skiing
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: Visitors who come to Lake Maria State Park will enjoy one of the few remaining stands of the "Big Woods," a maple, oak and basswood forest that once covered part of southern Minnesota. The park is perfect for hikers, backpackers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers who enjoy the challenge of the rolling terrain.
Wildlife. The marshes, potholes, and lakes provide excellent habitat for wildlife. Approximately 205 different species of birds have been reported living in, or passing through on seasonal migrations.
History. The Big Woods was a forest that once occupied 3,030 square miles in south-central Minnesota. The forest was comprised of maple, basswood, white and red elm, red oak, tamarack, and red cedar on the banks of numerous lakes.
Geology. The park lies in the St. Croix Moraine which was formed during the last glacier, the Wisconsin Age. The bedrock of the park is mainly granite covered by several feet of rock debris. Three different glaciers carved the landscape.
Visit Facts
- Address11411 Clementa Avenue Northwest Monticello, MN 55362
- Phone763-272-4040
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThe Ranger Station is closed for the season.
- Emaillakemaria.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point45.31741, -93.93167 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Lake Maria State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Self-Guided | 1 mile | Zumbrunnen Trail at picnic area features signs, boardwalk, and observation points. |
| Summer | Hiking | 14 Miles | Trails wind through rolling, wooded terrain. Natural soil surfaces. Great spring wildflowers and fall colors. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | Near Park | — |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | Near Park | — |
| Summer | Boardwalk | Part of Self-Guided Trail | The boardwalk is part of the park's self-guided trail and crosses a wetland area. |
| Summer | Horse | 6 Miles | Trails are open May 1 to Nov. 1. No rentals available. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | 6.2 miles | Beginner to intermediate skill level, primarily intermediate. Rolling terrain goes through wooded areas, old-growth forest areas, and past lakes and ponds. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate | 2 miles | Skate ski trails are groomed as snow depth and staff time permit. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | — | Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park, except on groomed ski trails. |
Camping and Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack Sites | 17 Sites | These are remote, secluded campsites overlooking lakes and ponds. You will have about a 1 mile walk to the campsites from the parking area. |
| Group Camp | 2 Sites – Each accommodates up to 50 people | Sites are rustic with vault toilets and water available. Tents only. Reserve Now –> |
| Camper Cabins | 3 Cabins | Cabins are located 1/2 mile to 1 mile from parking area. You must walk in to these locations. Each cabin sleeps 6 and are available year-round. Cabins have wood stove heat but no electricity. Vault toilet nearby. No pets allowed. Reservations are required. More information on camper cabins. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Pier | Little Mary Lake | — |
| Boat Access | Little Mary Lake | Designed for small watercraft, canoes and kayaks. |
| Boat Docks | Little Mary Lake | — |
| Canoe Access | Maria Lake | Little Mary Lake canoe access is accessible by car. Maria Lake canoe access is walk-in only. |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Shores of Little Mary Lake | Includes tables, fire rings, grills, drinking water, access to hiking trails and fishing piers. |
| Picnic Shelter | Enclosed Shelter | Picnic tables are located inside trail center. Electrical outlets and toilet facilities are available. Wheelchair accessible. |
| Warming House | trail center | Includes bathrooms and indoor picnic area. Open daily, year-round. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | At Main Entrance | Stop here for vehicle permit and area information. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | Picnic Area/Trail Center | Exhibits include "Turtle Kiosk" in picnic area, interpretive displays along the trails, and displays at Trail Center. |
| Naturalist Programs | Park and Trail Center | Programs are offered throughout the year. |
| Gift Shop | Park Office | Small Nature Store in park office carries t-shirts, caps, mugs and field guides. |
| Groceries | Within 8 Miles of Park | Located in the town of Monticello. |
| Rentals | — | Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the ranger station. Birding kits and kids' discovery kits (activities and stories for ages 5-12) are free to check out from the ranger station. |
| Firewood | — | Available year-round at the park office when it is open, or use the Yodel app. |
| Ice Sales | Within 8 Miles | In the town of Monticello. |
| Restaurant | Within 8 Miles of Park | Located in the town of Monticello. |
| Other | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi is available at the ranger station. Look for MN Guest WiFi. |
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.
Directions
The park may be reached from the south via I-94 (exit 193) at Hwy 25, south to Chelsea Rd to Hwy 39 west and Wright County Rd 111, or from the north via I-94 (exit 183) to Hwy 8, County Rd 39 and County Rd 111.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Chain of Lakes Regional ParkRegional Park, about 40 miles away in a straight line
- Minnehaha Regional Park and Minnehaha FallsRegional Park, about 45 miles away in a straight line
- Minnesota Valley State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 47 miles away in a straight line
- Fort Snelling State ParkState Park, about 47 miles away in a straight line
- Charles A. Lindbergh State ParkState Park, about 50 miles away in a straight line
- Sibley State ParkState Park, about 52 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
- Glendalough State Park
- Lake Carlos State Park
- Maplewood State Park
- Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
- Events in Central Lakes & St. Cloud
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Maria State Park?
It is near Monticello, Minnesota. The DNR address is 11411 Clementa Avenue Northwest Monticello, MN 55362.
How much does it cost to visit Lake Maria 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 Lake Maria 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
- Lake Maria 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.