Myre-Big Island State Park is a Minnesota state park near Albert Lea, covering 2,073 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.
- 2,073acres
- Albert Leamailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Spring and fall migrations
- Glacial esker
- Great marsh birdwatching
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Camping
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: This park has something for everyone. The trails take visitors around wet lowlands, oak savanna, and grasslands. Albert Lea Lake and park marshes draw hundreds of waterfowl during migration. Oak savanna and prairie landscape, including wetlands, dominate most of the park. One of the more unique aspects of the park is the 116-acre Big Island, covered with maple/basswood forest.
Wildlife. The prairie, hardwoods and wetlands provide habitat for many animals. White-tailed deer, raccoon, red and gray fox, muskrat, opossum, squirrels, and several species of bats reside at the park.
History. Long before European settlers arrived, seasonal, and possibly year-round Indian villages were numerous around area lakes. Evidence of human occupation of the area dates back over 9,000 years and encompasses all four identified cultural.
Geology. The rolling hills, shallow lakes, and marshes of the park were formed as the last major glacier retreated from Minnesota over 10,000 years ago. The glacial features found here include moraines, an ice block lake and an esker.
Visit Facts
- Address19499 780th Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007
- Phone507-668-7060
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursSummer: (1st weekend in May thru 3rd weekend in Oct) 10 am to 7 pm Sun-Thurs 10 am to 8 pm Fri & Sat Winter: 10 am to 3 pm daily
- Emailmyrebigisland.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point43.64041, -93.30898 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Myre-Big Island State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | 0.5 miles | Trail is located on Big Island between the picnic area and the Big Island campground. |
| Summer | Self-Guided | 8.25 miles | Trails include the Bur Oak Esker, Big Island Great Marsh trails. AN interpretive guide book available at the office. |
| Summer | Hiking | 16 miles | Trails take you along a combination of wooded and open rolling hills. Albert Lea Lake can be seen from some areas along parts of the trail. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | 6 miles | Trail connects to the Blazing Star State Trail. Trail runs from park to the city of Albert Lea. |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | 7 miles | These are grass trails that are also used for hiking. Accessibility is limited during wet periods. Call ahead for current status. |
| Winter | Snowmobile | 7 Miles | Snowmobile trails connect with Freeborn County trails. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in park | Snowshoers should keep off groomed snowmobile trails. Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 93 Sites | About a third of the sites are located in the heavily wooded Big Island campground. The balance of the drive-in sites are available in the White Fox campground which offers a picturesque prairie setting. |
| Electric Sites | 32 Sites | 17 sites in the Big Island campground and 15 in the White Fox campground. |
| RV Length Limit | 60 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 1 | There is one accessible drive-in campsite in the White Fox Campground. |
| Backpack Sites | 4 Sites | Sites are located between 1 and 2 miles from parking area. Sites can also be reached by mountain bike although accessibility is limited during wet periods. Call ahead for current status. All sites can be reached by canoe. A fire ring and picnic table are available at each back pack site. |
| Group Camp | 1 Site – Accommodates up to 50 people | Little Island Campground is located on a 7-acre island on Albert Lea Lake. Vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings are provided. No vehicle access. Carry-in distance is approximately 350' from parking area. Tents only. Reserve Now –> |
| Group Center | Maximum capacity 50 | More details about the group center. Located in the southwest part of the park along the northern shoreline of Albert Lea Lake. Visitors need to bring their own tent or camper trailer for overnight camping. Available seasonally and accessible. |
| Accessible Lodging | — | The park has one accessible camper cabins. New York Point Group Center is accessible |
| Camper Cabins | 1 cabin | Camper cabin located in the Big Island campground can accommodate 5 people and is wheelchair accessible. Pets not allowed in cabin. Available April through October. Closed for the winter season. More information on camper cabins. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Albert Lea Lake. | — |
| Fishing | Albert Lea Lake. | — |
| Swimming Beach | Within 3 to 5 miles of the park | The nearest swimming beach is location at Fountain Lake; 3-5 miles from the park. The beach address is: 705 N Shore Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007 |
| Boat Access | Drive-in access. | There is a public water access/boat launch at the park. |
| Boating Restrictions | Inquire at Park Office. | Please visit Lakefinder for more information on Albert Lea Lake. |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Big Island | Located on the Big Island, the picnic area includes fire rings and tables. Area is close to trails, including the wheelchair accessible trail. |
| Picnic Shelter | Open Shelter | Shelter is located in picnic area on Big Island may be reserved by calling the park office. Shelter has a fireplace and picnic tables. The open picnic shelter is wheelchair accessible. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | At Park Entrance | Stop here for vehicle permit, park information and brochures. Also includes Nature Store. |
| Naturalist Programs | Occasional Programs | Offered Memorial Day through Labor Day. Call ahead for schedule. |
| Gift Shop | Park Office | Nature Store is small but carries a limited number of t-shirts, cups, caps, books and gift items. |
| Groceries | 3-5 Miles From Park | Convenience stores within 3 miles |
| Rentals | — | Canoe, kayak paddleboard, boat and life jacket rentals are available from the ranger station. Snowshoe rentals are available in the winter. 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. |
| Firewood | At Park Office | Available year-round during office hours. |
| Ice Sales | Available in Albert Lea, less than 2 miles from park. | Available seasonally at park office. |
| Restaurant | In Albert Lea | There are a number of restaurants located within 3-5 miles of the park and in the town of Albert Lea. |
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: Pets not allowed in cabin.
Directions
Located 3 miles southeast of Albert Lea on County Highway 38. Interstates 90 and 35 intersect just north of Albert Lea. Both interstates have signs directing visitors to the park. From Interstate 35: Take exit 11, turn east on Freeborn County Road 46. Follow County Road 46 for 1/2 mile then turn south on Freeborn County Road 38 and continue on County Road 38 for 1 1/2 miles to park entrance. From Interstate 90: Take Interstate 35 South and follow above directions.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Rice Lake State ParkState Park, about 34 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Louise State ParkState Park, about 41 miles away in a straight line
- Sakatah Lake State ParkState Park, about 41 miles away in a straight line
- Nerstrand Big Woods State ParkState Park, about 50 miles away in a straight line
- Minneopa State ParkState Park, about 53 miles away in a straight line
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State ParkState Park, about 54 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
- John A. Latsch State Park
- Lake Louise State Park
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
- Rice Lake State Park
- Events in South Lakes & Bluff Country
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Myre-Big Island State Park?
It is near Albert Lea, Minnesota. The DNR address is 19499 780th Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007.
How much does it cost to visit Myre-Big Island 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 Myre-Big Island 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
- Myre-Big Island 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.