Exciting updates are nearly finished at the park!
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A number of accessibility improvements and amenity updates are nearly complete at William O'Brien State Park. This project includes facility upgrades that will make the park more accessible to visitors with disabilities, and will provide updated amenities for all park visitors to enjoy.
Construction is scheduled to be complete by June 1, 2025, and the lower portion of the park, including all areas east of Hwy. 95, are has now reopened. A summary of improvements:
Walter F. Mondale Day Use Area
Two new accessible restroom buildings (opening June 1)
New picnic shelter near Lake Alice beach with accessible picnic tables
Accessibility improvements at two existing picnic shelters, including routing, grills and new vault toilets
Safer parking lot with better beach access
Larger, more accessible swimming beach, including an ADA-compliant route down to the water’s edge
New accessible canoe/kayak launch on Lake Alice
Riverway Campground
Shower building upgrades, including a variety of ADA-compliant fixtures and parking (opening June 1)
Upgrades to create six ADA-compliant camp sites
Resurfaced Riverside Trail
New accessible route to the park amphitheater
Resurfacing and regrading overflow parking and trail connections
Ranger Station
Added accessible parking
ADA-compliant outdoor service counter and windows
New automatic door openers
This project is funded in part by the Get Out MORE (modernizing outdoor recreation experiences) appropriation.
Day use area and campground now open!
The Walter F. Mondale Day Use Area, including the public water access, beach and Riverside Trail, reopened on May 1, 2025. New restroom buildings in the day use area are not open yet, but vault toilets are available.
The Riverway Campground and Riverside Group Camp reopened on Friday, May 2, 2025 and offers rustic camping with vault toilets only during the month of May. The renovated shower building in the Riverway Campground is planned to reopen June 1. Reservations are available now for camping dates on May 2 or later.
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of construction area
Click to enlarge map
of coming improvements
- What is closed to visitors?
- The Walter F. Mondale Day Use Area, as well as the Riverway Campground and Riverside Trail are now open. Restroom buildings in the day use area and the shower building in the Riverway Campground will reopen June 1. Vault toilets are available to visitors while construction continutes in the restrooms and shower building.
- How does this project fit with the park's management plan?
- Management plans provide a long-term strategic vision for parks and guide the development of facilities and management of resources. The William O’Brien State Park Management Plan was completed in 2008 with input from a Citizens Advisory Committee, a Technical Advisory Team, and the public.
It often takes many years to see the vision of management plans come to fruition. This project is an opportunity to implement several of the recommendations from the plan, including a new layout for the day use area, improved campsite amenities and resolving safety issues on some trails.
- Why are accessibility updates needed?
- Many facilities in the state parks and trails system are aging and do not comply with current state or federal accessibility standards or best practices. We are continually making improvements to make our parks and trails more accessible as funding allows. The research is clear, time spent in the outdoors has great health and wellness benefits, and it's a priority of the DNR to make our parks and trails accessible to all people who want to enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation.
- How is this project being funded?
- This project is funded primarily through regular state bonding funds, with additional funds provided by last year’s Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) appropriation. Get Out More is a historic, one-time investment of $150 million to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whichever outdoor experience they choose. The total cost of the project is $5.5 million.