Father Hennepin State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Father Hennepin State Park is located on the southeast corner of Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. The 320-acre park features 103 campsites and a sandy lakefront beach with a picnic area. In 1941, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the formation of the park after tax-forfeited land was acquired for a small cost. Today, parkgoers can enjoy various water activities on Mille Lacs Lake, hiking through a hardwood forest, playing a game of volleyball or horseshoes, and spotting beautiful wildlife.
Spring 24-68 F
Summer 59-82 F
Fall 27-72 F
Winter 6-27 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Father Hennepin State Park
There are two separate campgrounds within the park. The first is Lakeview Campground, which offers quick, easy access to Mille Lacs Lake via one of two boat launches in the park. There are a total of 62 sites within this campground with 40 of them offering an electric hookup. Maple Grove Campground offers 71 sites with a mix of electric and non-electric as well. Both campgrounds allow a max RV size of 60 feet and include a fire ring and picnic table while being pet friendly. None of the sites within the park have water or sewer hookups.
What to Do at
Father Hennepin State Park
There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy year-round at Father Hennepin State Park. Visitors can enjoy 4.5 miles of hiking trails that wind through a dense, hardwood forest during the summer. In the winter, those same trails are open for hiking, although they are not groomed, or you can use them for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Two separate fishing piers offer anglers access to Mille Lacs Lake without the need for a boat while there are also two boat launches you can use to gain access to the water with your kayak, canoe or motorboat.
Fishing
There are two boat launches within the park. One is located within the Lakeview Campground while the other is located on the north side of the park. Two fishing piers also enable anglers to cast a line and try to catch smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch or northern pike.
Nature Watching
There is plenty of nature to enjoy during your stay at this park, including hawks, ospreys, owls and eagles. Albino deer, beavers, mink, squirrels and chipmunks have also been spotted amongst the maple and oak trees.
Stargazing
The park’s setting on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake offers a great opportunity to view your favorite constellations. Limited light pollution enables the stars to come out on a clear night.
Hiking
There are 4.5 miles of trail that traverse the park and take you through both campgrounds. There is also a paved walking trail that takes you out of the park to the Soo Line Trail, which is about a half-mile trek.
Boating
Two boat launches provide access to the lake. Both are located right across from a parking lot, however, the launch on the north side of the park is open to the public while the one located within the Lakeview Campground is for campers only.
Swimming
A swimming beach is located in the northwest corner of the park next to the volleyball courts and playground. The sandy beach is a great place to soak up the sun while cooling off in the lake during the hot summer days.
How to Get to
Father Hennepin State Park
Father Hennepin State Park is located at 41296 Father Hennepin Park Rd, Isle, MN 56342. If you are traveling to the park from Minneapolis, you will want to take I-94 W until you reach US-169 N. From there, take US-169 N until you run into MN-27 where you will turn right. Once on MN-27, you will travel around the lake for about 9 miles until you reach Father Hennepin Park Rd. Turn left onto this road and the park entrance will be on your left.
Entering Father Hennepin State Park
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Once inside the park, you will travel past the park office and towards the campgrounds. Access to the Lakeview Campground is via the first right turn you can make in the park while the Maple Grove Campground is the next right turn. Parking is available throughout the park in three convenient locations outside of the campgrounds.
Father Hennepin State Park Entry Fee (per vehicle) : $7.0
Father Hennepin State Park Annual Pass (per vehicle) : $35.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Father Hennepin State Park
The summer months are the best time to visit the park as the warmer temperatures allow you to enjoy all that the park has to offer. However, the park is open during the winter months if you are looking for winter hiking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Please note facilities are closed and water access is turned off in October.
A wide variety of wildlife can be found within the park, including owls, eagles, hawks, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and even albino deer. There are also a variety of fish species in the lake such as walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, sunfish and yellow perch.
Yes, there are designated RV camping spots in both of the campgrounds. Please keep in mind none of the sites offer water or sewer hookups and a limited number of sites have electric hookups.
Yes, you must reserve a camping spot in both the Lakeview Campground as well as the Maple Grove Campground. Non-electric sites have a fee of $23 per night while sites with an electric hookup cost $33 per night.
Yes, pets are allowed in Father Hennepin State Park and must be kept on a 6-foot leash. However, pets are not allowed on the beach or in any of the buildings.