Big Stone Lake State Park

Big Stone Lake State Park is a Minnesota State Park that stretches for 26 miles along the Minnesota – South Dakota border in the Southern Prairies region of the state.

Some have called Big Stone Lake "an oasis in the prairie."

How to Get to Big Stone Lake State Park:

Drive about 6 miles northwest from Ortonville to the park entrance.

Park Highlights:

• Big Stone Lake is the source of the Minnesota River, which flows east from here and joins the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling State Park in the Twin Cities.
• The Park is divided into two distinct areas. Meadowbrook is where you will find the drive-in camping loop with camp sites, a picnic area, a swimming beach, and a boat launch. The Bonanza Scientific and Natural Area is where the interpretive center is located. You will be able to see what the land looked like before the area was settled. This area has more primitive camping areas.

A complete guide to Minnesota state parks is our own Kindle book Minnesota State Parks: From Afton to Zippel Bay

If you don't use an ebook reader, you can download the book right from our website to your computer at Minnesota State Parks E-book

Big Stone Lake's Natural Attractions:

Big Stone Lake attracts people who like to fish. The lake yields walleye, northern pike, bluegills, perch, and channel catfish. A hike through the Bonanza area will let you experience some of the state's rare undisturbed prairie. The wooded Hiking Club Trail along the lakeshore will bring you to tiny Benkowski Falls. Half-mile long Bluebird Trail offers the park's best wildflower viewing.

Things to Do in Big Stone Lake State Park:

If you come for the fishing, the park offers boat rentals and great access to the lake. A swimming beach is just east of the boat landing. Discover more about the area's history at the Bonanza Education Center. There are two picnic areas in the park.

Camping in Big Stone Lake State Park:

Lakeside campsites include 37 campsites for tents and RVs; ten sites have electric hookups. There is 1 hike-in group campsite that can accommodate up to 20 people. Fresh water, showers, flush and vault toilets, and a dump station are all available.

More Attractions in This Region:

Visit the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. This haven for migrating birds is a huge draw for bird watchers. The more than 11,000 acres in the refuge include 1,700 acres of native prairie. One way to experience this area is to drive the six miles along the Prairie Drive Auto Tour.

In late summer or early autumn, drive along the Big Stone lakeshore through the apple orchards north of Ortonville. Read reviews of other attractions near Ortonville, Minnesota.

Other State Parks in This Region of Minnesota:

Lac qui Parle State Park > Upper Sioux Agency State Park > Fort Ridgely State Park

Contact:

35889 Meadowbrook State Park Road
Ortonville, MN 56278
Phone: 320-839-3663
Fax: 320-839-3676
Email: bigstone.statepark@state.mn.us

We Wrote the Book on Minnesota State Parks

Related Pages:

Voyageurs National Park

Boundary Waters Minnesota Vacation

Minnesota National Parks and Forests

Minnesota Camping

Minnesota State Parks Maps, Reservations and Reviews

Campgrounds in Minnesota

Minnesota Campgrounds

Minnesota RV Campgrounds

Minnesota Campground Directory

Camping List

Back to Minnesota State Parks

For your graphic design needs, contact Joy Creating Cool Graphics 

Plan Your Minnesota Vacation

Book Flight and Hotel Together at Booking Buddy and Save 30%!

Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Inns

Minnesota Vacation Rentals  -  A vacation rental will give you the feel of your own cabin or chalet in Minnesota. Choose a vacation rental in a specific area or get ideas about some of the best Minnesota vacation destinations before you decide. There are  fantastic rental properties and amazing locations that will be perfect for your group of any size.

Minnesota Maps

Lake Superior Maps

Boundary Waters Maps