Minneopa State Park is a Minnesota state park near Mankato, covering 2,599 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.
- 2,599acres
- Mankatomailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Bison herd
- Waterfall
- Historic grist mill
- Camping
- Fishing
- Riverside hiking
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 name Minneopa is derived from the Dakota language, meaning "water falling twice," a reference to the park's stunning waterfalls along Minneopa Creek. Take a short, accessible walk along a paved sidewalk and cross the arched concrete footbridge that spans the creek between the upper and lower waterfalls.
Wildlife. Minneopa is home to a wide variety of songbird species. Many migrants stop here for a short stay on their way to their summer range. It should come as no surprise then that birdwatching is a popular activity.
History. In 1905 the State of Minnesota passed legislation setting aside the area around Minneopa Falls for public use and establishing Minneopa State Park. This made Minneopa the third state park in Minnesota.
Geology. The entire park lies within the banks of the Glacial River Warren which drained Glacial Lake Agassiz at the end of the last period of glaciation, some 15,000 years ago.
Visit Facts
- Address54497 Gadwall Road Mankato, MN 56001
- Phone507-386-3910
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday: 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
- Emailminneopa.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.15634, -94.09136 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Minneopa State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | 4.5 miles | — |
| Summer | Paved Bike | 0.2 miles | — |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in the park | Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 61 sites | — |
| Electric Sites | 6 sites | — |
| RV Length Limit | 60 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Group Camp | 4 Sites – Each accommodates up to 15 people | Site are walk-/carry-in only, located 300' to 600' from parking area. Picnic tables, fire rings, water, and vault toilets are available. Tents only. Reserve Now –> |
| Accessible Lodging | 1 accessible camper cabin | — |
| Camper Cabins | — | One accessible camper cabin with electricity, available daily year-round. Sleeps five. No pets allowed. More information about camper cabins. |
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 | — | — |
| Picnic Shelter | Open Shelter | Wheelchair accessible. |
| Volleyball | — | — |
| Horseshoes | — | — |
| Golf Course | Within 10 miles | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | Located at park entrance to the Falls area | — |
| Visitor Center | — | — |
| Historic Site | — | The historic windmill is located at the end of Mill Road, on the campground side of the park. WPA buildings and the Falls area are part of a historic district along with the historic railings and bridge. |
| Groceries | Within 10 miles | — |
| Rentals | — | 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. Snowshoe rentals are available from the ranger station in winter. |
| Firewood | Available year-round at the park office | — |
| Restaurant | Within 10 miles | — |
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
5 miles west of Mankato on State Highway 68 and U.S. Highway 169.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Flandrau State ParkState Park, about 21 miles away in a straight line
- Sakatah Lake State ParkState Park, about 28 miles away in a straight line
- Fort Ridgely State ParkState Park, about 37 miles away in a straight line
- Minnesota Valley State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 39 miles away in a straight line
- Nerstrand Big Woods State ParkState Park, about 51 miles away in a straight line
- Rice Lake State ParkState Park, about 51 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
- Camden State Park
- Flandrau State Park
- Fort Ridgely State Park
- Kilen Woods State Park
- Lac Qui Parle State Park
- Lake Shetek State Park
- Monson Lake State Park
- Events in Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Minneopa State Park?
It is near Mankato, Minnesota. The DNR address is 54497 Gadwall Road Mankato, MN 56001.
How much does it cost to visit Minneopa 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 Minneopa 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
- Minneopa 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.