Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is a Minnesota state park near Nerstrand, covering 2,884 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.
- 2,884acres
- Nerstrandmailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- "Big Woods" Landscape
- Spectacular Spring Wildflowers
- Fabulous Fall Color
- Visitor Center
- Self-guided Interpretive Trail
- Hidden Falls Waterfall
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: Enjoy this park, any season of the year– In the spring, the forest floor is a spectacular wildflower garden where many plants like hepatica, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, and the rare dwarf trout lily bloom. Relax by Hidden Falls or take a peaceful hike in the summer.
Wildlife. Hollow trees provide red and hoary woodland bats shelter. Other mammals like raccoon, fox, and deer are abundant. Gray treefrogs, wood frogs, American toads, red-bellied and garter snakes are usually easy to find.
History. For thousands of years the ancestors of today's indigenous people, including the Dakota, managed the woodlands here. Forests like what is present at the park once covered 3,000 square miles of Southcentral Minnesota.
Geology. Ancient seas and massive blocks of ice shaped the land within the park. Approximately 500 to 440 million years ago the area was covered by a shallow sea that deposited layers of limestone and shale that today form the area's bedrock.
Visit Facts
- Address9700 170th Street East Nerstrand, MN 55053
- Phone507-384-6140
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursMon-Wed:closed Thurs-Fri:9am-2pm Sat-Sun:9am-3pm Hours are subject to change based on staffing levels. Updated: 10/19/2026
- Emailnerstrand.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point44.34177, -93.09104 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
- Entry noteAll vehicles entering the park require a vehicle permit; buy online beforehand (poor cell service), display confirmation number on dashboard; dogs must be leashed to protect the Dwarf Trout Lilies
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | 11 miles | — |
| Winter | Snowmobile | 4 miles | — |
| Winter | Snowshoe | 1 mile | Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park except on groomed trails, and roped-off, sensitive areas. Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 51 sites | All sites are back-in sites that vary from open to wooded. |
| Pull-Through Sites | 1 site | — |
| Electric Sites | 27 sites | All electric sites are 30 amp. |
| RV Length Limit | 60 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 2 sites | The campground has two accessible drive-in sites. One has electric hookup. |
| Walk-in Sites | 4 sites | Farthest site is 200 yards from the parking area. Easy walk-in. All sites are rustic. |
| Cart-in Sites | Six cart-in sites | Six rustic sites, located 150 to 200 feet from parking. |
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. |
| Playground | — | — |
| Other | Amphitheatre | — |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | — |
| Visitor Center | — | — |
| Interpretive Exhibit | — | — |
| Groceries | Nature Store | — |
| 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. Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station in winter. |
| Firewood | — | — |
| Public Phones | — | — |
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
Take I-35 to State Highway 19 east into Northfield. Go south on State Highway 3, east on State Highway 246, then turn right onto County Road 29.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Rice Lake State ParkState Park, about 17 miles away in a straight line
- Sakatah Lake State ParkState Park, about 23 miles away in a straight line
- Fort Snelling State ParkState Park, about 37 miles away in a straight line
- Minnesota Valley State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 37 miles away in a straight line
- Afton State ParkState Park, about 38 miles away in a straight line
- Frontenac State ParkState Park, about 39 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
- Myre-Big Island State Park
- Rice Lake State Park
- Events in South Lakes & Bluff Country
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park?
It is near Nerstrand, Minnesota. The DNR address is 9700 170th Street East Nerstrand, MN 55053.
How much does it cost to visit Nerstrand Big Woods 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 Nerstrand Big Woods 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
- Nerstrand Big Woods 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.