Mille Lacs Kathio

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Mille Lacs Kathio State Park has so much to offer and discover. Its 9000 years of human history and archaeological significance has made it a National Historic Landmark. You can learn about its rich history and all of Kathio's other treasures at the Visitor Center. Climb the 100 foot observation/fire tower and look across the majesty of Mille Lacs Lake. Take part in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park's extensive interpretive/nature programs or get out by yourself and hike on the park's varied trail system. Kathio has a wonderful swimming beach plus canoes or rowboats you can rent for a trip on the historic Rum River and Ogechie and Shakopee lakes. In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski on trails described as the best in Minnesota or take the family sledding on our popular sliding hill. The river, lakes, and park trails offer visitors excellent opportunities to watch waterfowl, bald eagles, osprey, beaver, loons, deer, coyotes, and many others.

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park's Newsletter

Read the park's new Newsletter.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.

Visitor Alert!

Welcome, swimmers!

Kathio's swimming pond has been cleared of its excess silt and weeds and has a fresh layer of sand. It's clear swimming at the pond - come on out!

Park Notes

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Interpretive Center:

The Interpretive Center is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Firewood restrictions information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Complete information and lists of vendors and locations where approved firewood is available are posted on the DNR Web site.
More information
Vendor List

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

Backpack-in Campsites:

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park have four backpack-in campsites. The sites include Glacial Ridge Campsite, located adjacent to a large beaver pond on a wooded glacial ridge; Kanketanka Campsite that overlooks a woodland pond; Black Bass Campsite, located on the south shore of Black Bass Lake; and Sunset Meadow Campsite, located in an oak and maple forest on the edge of a meadow.

Petaga Point Archaeological Site:

Petaga Point Archaeological Site (5.2 MB)

Park Highlights

Nature Programs	Camping
Swimming/Playground	100 Ft. Fire Tower
Historic Sites	Cross-Country Skiing

Hours

The best time to reach someone is: Friday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you call and don't recieve anyone, please leave a message and we will return your call.

Contact

15066 Kathio State Park Road
Onamia, MN 56359

tel: 320-532-3523

Getting There

Go to mile post marker #221 on US Hwy 169, about 8 miles north of Onamia. Watch for the Kathio Arrowhead sign and take County Road 26 for about a mile, to the park entrance.