Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is a Minnesota state park near Onamia, covering 11,621 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.
- 11,621acres
- Onamiamailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Nature programs
- Camping
- Swimming area
- 100 foot fire tower to climb
- Historic sites
- 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: Mille Lacs Kathio State Park's cultural and archaeological significance has made it a National Historic Landmark. People have passed through or lived in this area for at least 9,000 years. Stop at the visitor center to learn about the area's rich heritage and the park's other treasures. Climb the 100-foot fire tower to experience wonderful views of Mille Lacs Lake.
Wildlife. The river, lakes and trails provide excellent wildlife viewing. Hawks, ospreys, owls and eagles are common. Catch a glimpse of vibrant birds like the red-headed woodpecker, scarlet tanager, Baltimore oriole or indigo bunting.
History. The park name is steeped in history. "Mille Lacs," a French term used by early explorers and fur traders, means "a thousand lakes," and referred to the region. The word "Kathio" has a more complicated story.
Geology. The park's geological history is a story of immense natural forces at work over thousands of years. The hills were formed approximately 10,000 years ago when a major glacier stopped its advance south.
Visit Facts
- Address15066 Kathio State Park Road Onamia, MN 56359
- Phone320-532-3523
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursOffice hours are 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Sunday, staff permitting
- Emailmillelacskathio.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point46.13541, -93.72447 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | 1.5 miles | A one-mile out-and-back accessible trail goes to the Cooper and Wilford historic sites. The half mile Touch the Earth Trail is also accessible. |
| Summer | Self-Guided | — | The one-half mile Touch the Earth Trail is self-guided and includes a boardwalk that takes you through a tamarack bog. The one-mile long Landmark Trail offers a picturesque woodland walk along the shore of Ogechie Lake and commemorates the park as a National Historic Landmark. |
| Summer | Hiking | — | 35 miles of wooded trails take you to river, lake and beaver pond overlooks and through rolling glacial moraines. Many trails are minimum maintenance during summer months. |
| Summer | Boardwalk | . | The boardwalk is part of the self-guided Touch the Earth Trail. The trail loop begins at the visitor center. |
| Summer | Horse | — | The park has 27 miles of horse trails. The best riding is in September and October, when fall leaf color is vibrant and bugs are at a minimum. Horse trails are minimum maintenance and can be very buggy during summer months. In spring – or anytime after a big rainfall – trails are muddy. |
| Summer | Other | — | The 3.2-mile Hiking Club Trail winds past Ogechie Lake, two historic village sites and through some of the park's most scenic backcountry. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | 19.8 miles | The park has 19.8 miles (32 km) of trails for skiers of all levels: 10.9 km easy; 12.4 km moderate and 8.7 km difficult trails. All trails go through wooded terrain. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up. Ski rental is available at the ranger station. |
| Winter | Snowmobile | — | 19 miles of trails pass through wooded hills, connecting at various points with the 13,000 mile grant-in-aid statewide snowmobile trail system. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | — | Multiple trails are marked for snowshoers, for a total of almost eight miles. These trails take you to some great scenic areas. Snowshoers may also explore any area of the park but must stay off groomed ski trails. Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station. |
| Winter | Other | — | Stop at the ranger station to rent snowshoes or cross-country skis. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | — | The park has a total of 70 secluded and shaded drive-in sites. 19 semi-modern sites are walking distance to the shower building. 26 rustic sites are one and one-half miles from the shower building, with vault toilets and water nearby. |
| Pull-Through Sites | — | Three pull-through sites, all in the Petaga Campground electric loop. |
| Electric Sites | — | 22 electric sites, all located in Petaga Campground. Each site has 30 amp/125 volt and 20 amp/110 volt outlets. |
| RV Length Limit | — | 60 feet, measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of the vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 2 | Two accessible drive-in sites, located in the Petaga Campground electric loop. |
| Backpack Sites | — | The park has four backpack sites. Glacial Ridge Campsite is adjacent to a large beaver pond on a wooded glacial ridge, a 0.75 mile walk from the dump station parking area. Kanketanka Campsite overlooks a woodland pond, a 1.75 mile walk from the trail center. Black Bass Campsite is located on the south shore of Black Bass Lake, a 2 mile walk from the dump station parking area. |
| Walk-in Sites | — | Three private, wooded walk-in sites located approximately 100 yards from parking. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table and level area for a tent. The Petaga Campground shower building is within walking distance. |
| Horse Camp | — | The horse camp has ten sites with picket lines, and accommodates a maximum of 40 horses. There are flush toilets and water, but no showers. |
| Group Camp | — | There are two tent-only group camp areas along the Rum River, about 100 feet from parking. Each has vault toilets and a hand pump for water. No showers. The first site accommodates 15 people and the second site accommodates 45. |
| Accessible Lodging | 1 accessible camper cabin | Camper cabin 4 is accessible. |
| Camper Cabins | 5 Cabins | Five camper cabins are available year-round. All have electricity, heat and a screened porch. One camper cabin is accessible and sleeps five; the other four cabins each sleep six. No pets allowed. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing | — | Fish in the lakes or the scenic Rum River. The best place to fish from shore is the former dam location, located by the picnic area. |
| Swimming Beach | — | The park doesn't have a beach, but there is a shallow swimming hole near the river. |
| Boat Access | — | There is a drive-in access for smaller boats on the Rum River, and another access on Shakopee Lake. The park does not have boat access to Mille Lacs Lake. |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
| Canoe Access | — | There is a drive-in access located on the Rum River. |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | The picnic area has many picnic tables and fire rings. It is near restrooms, a swimming area and the visitor center. Good fishing is also nearby, at the former dam location at the outlet of Ogechie Lake. |
| Picnic Shelter | — | — |
| Canoe Access | — | There is a public water access on the Rum River for canoes and kayaks. |
| Warming House | — | The trail center doubles as a warming shelter with a fireplace, picnic tables and restrooms. Open daily during regular park hours. |
| Sliding Hill | — | The sledding hill is just outside the trail center. |
| Other | — | Local resorts can help get you set up for ice fishing on Minnesota's most famous walleye lake. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | Located at the park entrance, the ranger station has park information, maps and more. Stop here to register for camping. |
| Visitor Center | — | Located near the picnic grounds. You'll find exhibits that highlight the park's natural and human history and information on interpretive programs, demonstrations, school field trips and other customized programs for groups. The building, bathrooms and trail down to the amphitheater are all accessible. |
| Naturalist Programs | — | Naturalist programs are offered year-round. Check the online events calendar, or stop at visitor center to learn more. Programs include hikes, demonstrations, campfire talks, school field trips and customized group programs. |
| Gift Shop | — | The nature store in the ranger station sells a variety of gift items, t-shirts, books and caps. |
| Rentals | — | Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the ranger station summer through fall. Snowshoe and ski rentals are available in the winter, as conditions permit. Call the park for more information or to check availability. |
| Firewood | — | Firewood is available at the ranger station year-round. |
| Ice Sales | — | Purchase ice at the ranger station from May through October. |
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
Go to mile post marker #221 on US Hwy 169, about 8 miles north of Onamia. Watch for the Kathio Arrowhead sign and take County Road 26 for about a mile, to the park entrance.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Father Hennepin State ParkState Park, about 12 miles away in a straight line
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 27 miles away in a straight line
- Crow Wing State ParkState Park, about 30 miles away in a straight line
- Charles A. Lindbergh State ParkState Park, about 34 miles away in a straight line
- Banning State ParkState Park, about 42 miles away in a straight line
- Savanna Portage State ParkState Park, about 49 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
- Lake Maria State Park
- Maplewood State Park
- Events in Central Lakes & St. Cloud
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mille Lacs Kathio State Park?
It is near Onamia, Minnesota. The DNR address is 15066 Kathio State Park Road Onamia, MN 56359.
How much does it cost to visit Mille Lacs Kathio 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 Mille Lacs Kathio 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
- Mille Lacs Kathio 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.