Blue Mounds State Park Snapshot Tour

Welcome to the Blue Mounds State Park virtual tour! There's places to fish, and swim, Sioux quartzite cliffs to climb, views to watch the grazing bison and prairie clouds sweep by. Enjoy your virtual tour, and come visit the park in person sometime soon!

Amphitheater

Adjacent to the campground is a little amphitheater area used for small family gatherings and occasional interpretive talks throughout the summer. 

Upper Mound Lake Dam

Two dams form both Upper and Lower Mound Lakes in the park.  The structures were built in 1937 as a Work Projects Administration (WPA) project. These architectural works are popular fishing locations.

Campground

Stay awhile at the park's main campground, and choose from one of 40 electric or 33 non-electric sites. Most of these lovely sites are grassy and well-shaded.  For your convenience, there are also two shower/restroom buildings in the campground.

Restroom Interior

Well-maintained showers and restrooms in the campground provide comfort for park visitors.

Swimming Beach

A sandy, shallow swimming beach provides a refreshing break during hot prairie summers. After taking a dip, get out and explore Lower Mound Lake by canoe or kayak. Contact the park office to rent a canoe or kayak during your stay.

Fishing Dock

A small fishing dock extends into Lower Mound Lake. Bring your fishing gear and try your luck angling for bass, bullheads, crappies and other rough fish.

Historic Quarry

Experience a breathtaking view from the top of this historic quarry by taking the Upper Cliffline Trail from the interpretive center.  The rock you will encounter here is Sioux quartzite, made a pink color by the presence of iron oxide.

Rock Climbers

Rock climbing is a popular activity in the park with many established routes that range in difficulty levels. Climbers take advantage of hand and toeholds in the rugged Sioux quartzite rock present at the park.

Paved Bike Trail

Bring your bicycle and enjoy a lovely ride. A paved bike trail starts in the picnic area of the park and runs approximately 6 miles south to the city of Luverne.

Interpretive Center

This unique building was once home to famed author Frederick Manfred and is built directly into the Sioux quartzite cliff.

Eagle Rock

Encounter a stunning landscape 300 feet above the city of Luverne.  From this point, Iowa can be seen to the south and South Dakota to the west.

Old Quarry Location

A drive up to the interpretive center reveals the remains of an old quarry.  Colorful Sioux quartzite was a prized and popular building stone. In fact, these stones can be seen in several buildings in nearby Luverne.

Cart-In Campground

Surrounding a small shelter building, this campground contains 14 sites and offers a more secluded camping experience.

Bison Range

This native and reconstructed tallgrass prairie is home to approximately one hundred pure-strain bison.  Experience the 533-acre bison pasture, where you’ll catch a glimpse of what life was like on the prairie before settlement.