Autumn access to Minnesota state parks
during the 2012 hunting season

Numerous hunts are scheduled to take place at Minnesota state parks this fall, as a way to help control the deer population in the parks. The DNR's goal is to ensure healthy natural communities, and when there are too many deer in one area, the native plants and animals can be negatively affected.

Access to the parks will vary around the state during these hunts. Some state parks will remain open to all visitors, some will have limited public access, and some will be open only to hunters with special permits.

This page is intended to provide information primarily to non-hunters during the 2012-2013 hunt season. If you are a hunter, you'll find more information here.

For additional information, please call the facility before you head out.

 DNR Facebook site Minnesota State Parks Twitter feed

Stay safe during hunting season!

If you will be visiting a state park during hunting season:

  1. Wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing, even if you will not be hunting.
  2. Check with the park office when you arrive, to see if there is any additional hunt-related information.
  3. Watch carefully for any hunt-related signage in the park, and follow it!

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt = CLOSED: The park is closed to the public and open only to hunters with a valid permit during a particular hunt.

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only= LIMITED: The park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only.

There is no hunting at the park= OPEN: There is no hunting at the park.

 

To see full details, click the park's name next to its dot.


This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Afton State Park

Afton State Park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters from sunset on November 2 through 8 a.m. on November 5. No camping will be available during the hunt period.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Banning State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Banning State Park October 27 and 28. The canoe campsites on the east side of Kettle River and the Hell's Gate Rapids portage trail will be closed to the public during the hunt. Other areas will remain open.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Bear Head Lake State Park

There is no hunting at Bear Head Lake State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Beaver Creek Valley State Park

There is no hunting at Beaver Creek Valley State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Big Bog State Recreation Area

By legislation, most of the northern portion of Big Bog State Recreation Area is open to public hunting and trapping. There is no hunting or trapping allowed on or in the vicinity of Ludlow Island or the boardwalk.

Visit the SRA's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Big Stone Lake State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Big Stone Lake State Park December 1 and 2. Hunting is limited to the Meadowbrook area only.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Blue Mounds State Park

There is no hunting at Blue Mounds State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Buffalo River State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Buffalo River State Park on November 3 and 4. The park will remain open to the public.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Camden State Park

There is no hunting at Camden State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Carley State Park

There is no hunting at Carley State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Cascade River State Park

Cascade River State Park will have a deer hunt November 3 through November 18. The central portion of the park (south/east of Highway 61) will remain closed to hunting and open to the public. All other areas of the park will be closed to the public and open only to hunting during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

There is no hunting at Charles Lindbergh State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Crow Wing State Park

Crow Wing State Park will have a deer hunt December 7 through December 9. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

Hunting and trapping is not allowed in the campground or in the vicinity of the contact station or shop. The rest of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is open to public hunting and trapping by legislation.

Visit the SRA's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Father Hennepin State Park

There is no hunting at Father Hennepin State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Flandrau State Park

The portion of Flandrau State Park that is within the New Ulm city limits will be open for archery hunting October 13 through December 31. The park will remain open to the public during the hunt. There is no archery or other hunting anywhere else in the park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Just over 400 acres of Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park are open to public hunting and trapping by legislation.

There will also be a deer hunt in the park November 3 through November 5. The park will be open to both the public and hunters during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Fort Ridgely State Park

There is no hunting at Fort Ridgely State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Fort Snelling State Park

There is no hunting at Fort Snelling State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Franz Jevne State Park

There is no hunting at Franz Jevne State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Frontenac State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Frontenac State Park from November 17 through November 19. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Garden Island State Recreation Area

All of Garden Island State Recreation Area is open to public hunting and trapping by legislation, except the land which is part of the Red Lake Indian Reservation and the far eastern end where the boat dock and other facilities are located.

Visit the SRA's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

Approximately 3,100 acres of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park are open to public hunting and trapping by legislation. The areas open to hunting are east of the Manitou River and north of Minnesota Highway 61.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Glacial Lakes State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Glacial Lakes State Park from November 8 through November 11. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Glendalough State Park

There is no hunting at Glendalough State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Gooseberry Falls State Park

There will be a deer hunt at Gooseberry Falls State Park from November 3 through November 18. All areas of the park north and west of Highway 61 will be closed to the public and open only to hunters on these dates. There is no hunting in the areas of the park south and east of Highway 61, which will remain open to the public.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Grand Portage State Park

There is no hunting in Grand Portage State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Great River Bluffs State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Great River Bluffs State Park from sunset on October 26 through 8 a.m. on October 29. The park will be closed to the public during these dates, and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area

Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area is open for archery hunting September 15 through December 31. The park will remain open to the public during the hunt.

Visit the web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Hayes Lake State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Hayes Lake State Park from November 3 through November 18. The park will remain open to the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Hill Annex Mine State Park

There is no hunting at Hill Annex Mine State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Interstate State Park

There is no hunting at Interstate State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Iron Range OHV State Recreation Area

The Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle SRA is closed during firearms deer season, through November 22. Walk-in hunting is allowed through the back gate during this time. The SRA will reopen on November 23, 2012, and will remain open Fridays through Sundays for the winter.

Visit the SRA's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Itasca State Park

There will be a deer hunt at Itasca State Park October 13 and 14, restricted to a portion of the park.

Additional hunts will be held at the park November 3 through November 11, and also November 24 through December 9. The park will remain open to the public during these hunts.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Jay Cooke State Park

There is no hunting at Jay Cooke State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

John A. Latsch State Park

There is no hunting at John A. Latsch State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Judge C.R. Magney State Park

There will be a deer hunt at Judge C.R. Magney State Park from November 3 through November 18. The areas of the park south and east of Highway 61 will be closed to hunting and open only to the public. The other side of the highway will be open to both hunters and the public.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Kilen Woods State Park

 

There is no hunting at Kilen Woods State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

La Salle Lake State Recreation Area

By legislation, La Salle Lake State Recreation Area is open to deer and bear hunting by firearms, deer and bear hunting by archery, and small game hunting and trapping during designated seasons for protected species. There is no hunting or trapping allowed in the vicinity of the campground and cabins.

Visit the SRA's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Lac qui Parle State Park

There is no hunting at Lac qui Parle State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Lake Bemidji State Park

There will be a deer hunt at Lake Bemidji State Park on October 13 and October 14, with hunters restricted to a portion of the park.

There will also be a hunt from November 3 through November 6, during which time the park will be open to both hunters and the public.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Lake Bronson State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Lake Bronson State Park from November 3 through November 11. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Lake Carlos State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Lake Carlos State Park from November 3 through November 6. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Lake Louise State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Lake Louise State Park November 10 and 11. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Lake Maria State Park

There is no hunting in Lake Maria State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Lake Shetek State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Lake Shetek State Park December 1 and 2. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters on these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Lake Vermilion State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Lake Vermilion State Park from November 24 through December 9. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Maplewood State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Maplewood State Park from November 3 through November 6. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

McCarthy Beach State Park

There is no hunting in McCarthy Beach State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park from November 9 through November 11. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters on these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Minneopa State Park

There is no hunting in Minneopa State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

There is no hunting in the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Monson Lake State Park

There is no hunting in Monson Lake State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Moose Lake State Park

There is no hunting in Moose Lake State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Myre-Big Island State Park

There is no hunting in Myre-Big Island State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

There is no hunting in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Old Mill State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Old Mill State Park from November 3 through November 6. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Red River State Recreation Area

There is no hunting in the Red River State Recreation Area.

Visit the SRA's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Rice Lake State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Rice Lake State Park on December 1 and 2. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters on these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

St. Croix State Park

There will be a deer hunt on approximately 12,000 acres in the western portion of St. Croix State Park on October 27 and 28. Equestrian trails will be closed in the hunt area, but it will otherwise be open to both hunters and the public.

There will be an additional hunt in the park from November 9 through November 12, during which dates the park will be entirely closed to the public and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Sakatah Lake State Park

There is no hunting in Sakatah Lake State park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Savanna Portage State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Savanna Portage State Park on October 27 and 28. Public access will be limited to day use fishing and boating on Shumway, Loon, Wolf, and Savanna Lakes. The Loon Lake picnic area and camping facilities will also remain open to the public and closed to hunting. All other areas will be closed to the public and open only to hunters on these dates.

There will be an additional hunt from November 10 through November 12. The Loon Lake day use area and the boat accesses at Lake Shumway, Savanna Lake, and Wolf Lake will remain open to the public and closed to hunting on these dates. All other areas will be closed to the public and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Scenic State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Scenic State Park from November 3 through November 18. The area between County Road 75 (the park entrance road) and Coon-Sandwick Lakes will remain open to the public and closed to hunting during these dates. All other areas will be closed to the public and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Schoolcraft State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Schoolcraft State Park from November 3 through November 18. The park will remain open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Sibley State Park

There will be a deer hunt in the western portion of Sibley State Park on October 27 and 28. The park will remain open to both hunters and the public.

There will be an additional hunt on November 24 and 25, during which the park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Soudan Underground Mine State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Soudan Underground Mine State Park from November 24 through December 9. The park will be open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.

There is no hunting at the park

Split Rock Creek State Park

There is no hunting at Split Rock Creek State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Approximately 50 acres in the far northern part of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is open to public hunting and trapping by legislation.

There will be an additional deer hunt in the park from November 3 through November 18. All areas south and east of Highway 61 will be open to the public and closed to hunting; areas north and west of Highway 61 will be closed to the public on these dates and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Temperance River State Park

By legislation, hunting and trapping is allowed in approximately 600 acres of the southwestern section of Temperance River State Park, in the area formerly known as the Cross River Wayside.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Tettegouche State Park

By legislation, hunting and trapping is allowed in approximately 3,700 acres of Tettegouche State Park, in the area known as the Palisade Valley.

There will be an additional deer hunt in the northwest corner of the park October 20 and 21. That small corner of the park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters on those dates; the rest of the park will remain open to the public and closed to hunting.

There will also be a deer hunt in the park from November 3 through November 18. All areas south and east of Highway 61 will be open to the public and closed to hunting; areas north and west of Highway 61 will be closed to the public on these dates and open only to hunters.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Upper Sioux Agency State Park

There is no hunting in Upper Sioux Agency State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

There is no hunting at the park

Whitewater State Park

There is no hunting in Whitewater State Park.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

Wild River State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Wild River State Park from November 3 through November 5. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is closed to the public during a hunt

William O'Brien State Park

There will be a deer hunt in William O'Brien State Park on November 10 and 11. The park will be closed to the public and open only to hunters during these dates.

Visit the park's web page.

 

This park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only

Zippel Bay State Park

There will be a deer hunt in Zippel Bay State Park on October 13 and 14. Hunters will be restricted to one section of the park, and the park will remain open to the public on these dates.

There will be an additional deer hunt in the park from November 3 through November 18. The park will remain open to both hunters and the public during the hunt.

Visit the park's web page.