Monson Lake State Park is a Minnesota state park near Sunburg, covering 346 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.
- 346acres
- Sunburgmailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Fishing
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: Cast your line for walleye, northerns, bass, and sunfish in Monson Lake. Birdwatchers look for white pelicans, herons, western grebes, and songbirds in this 346 acre park with a diverse landscape of wetlands and hardwood forests. The park includes a quiet campground and wooded picnic area.
Wildlife. Visitors can watch a variety of birds in the park including white pelicans, a variety of herons, western grebes, shorebirds, and waterfowl.
History. Monson Lake State Park became a Minnesota state park in 1937. Before that, it was a local park in memory of members of the Broberg and Lundborg families who died in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
Geology. The park lies within the Alexandria Glacial Moraine Complex which was laid down by glaciers more than 30,000 years ago. The rocks, sand, and gravel left by the last glacier make up the drift which formed the rest of the landscape.
Visit Facts
- Address1690 15th Street Northeast Sunburg, MN 56289
- Phonec/o Sibley State Park 320-347-7810
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThis location does not have office hours. Visit nearby Sibley State Park (during their office hours) to purchase Monson Lake State Park items. For information, contact Sibley State Park.
- Emailsibley.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point45.31832, -95.27596 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Monson Lake State Park
- Entry noteNo office hours; park items sold at Sibley State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | — | There are 1.2 miles of trail, providing views of Monson Lake, and West Sunburg Lake. The majority of the trail passes through woodland, which provide opportunity for bird and wildlife observation. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | — | 6 electric, 14 non-electric |
| RV Length Limit | 70 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Pier | — | — |
| Boat Access | — | — |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | The shaded picnic area offers tables, fire rings, and a horseshoe court. There is also a large, open space for play. |
| Picnic Shelter | Open Shelter | An open-aired, stone picnic shelter is available on a first come, first served basis, for small groups. The shelter has electricity and a large fireplace. Wheelchair accessible. |
| Horseshoes | — | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | For information on this park, contact Sibley State Park. |
| Historic Site | — | There are two historical markers near the 1862 Broberg cabin site. An interpretive kiosk panel explains the events surrounding the tragedy that took place on August 20th of that year. |
| Firewood | — | Firewood is available on a limited basis by contacting the campground host. Firewood is also available by approved local firewood vendors. |
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
Access is off State Highway 9, just west of Sunburg, via County Road 95.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Sibley State ParkState Park, about 13 miles away in a straight line
- Glacial Lakes State ParkState Park, about 20 miles away in a straight line
- Lac Qui Parle State ParkState Park, about 36 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Carlos State ParkState Park, about 47 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
- Minneopa State Park
- Events in Minnesota River Valley & Prairielands
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Monson Lake State Park?
It is near Sunburg, Minnesota. The DNR address is 1690 15th Street Northeast Sunburg, MN 56289.
How much does it cost to visit Monson Lake 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 Monson Lake 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
- Monson Lake 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.