Blue Mounds State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Blue Mounds State Park in Minnesota shouldn't be confused with Blue Mound State Park in Wisconsin. Blue Mounds State Park sits very near the border between Minnesota and South Dakota. The park covers roughly 1,100 acres and is world-famous for its range dedicated to conserving the American bison. There used to be 60 million of these wondrous animals in North America, but they were hunted down to just 541 creatures in the 1880s. The park attracts conservationists who come to see the bison and boulderers who seek a challenge on the routes along the park's row of famous pink cliffs that spring upright in the middle of the prairie in Blue Mounds State Park. Early settlers claimed they looked blue from a distance despite the cliffs' color. Nearby Cities: • Sioux Falls, SD • Luverne, MN • Walnut Grove, MN • Sioux City, IA
Spring 37-72 F
Summer 64-85 F
Fall 41-51 F
Winter 4-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Blue Mounds State Park
Blue Mounds State Park Campground •Water hookup: No •Electrical hookup: Yes •Sewer hookup: No •Wi-Fi: No •Pet-friendly: Yes •Max RV length: 50 feet •Other amenities: Showers, flush toilets, vault toilets, dump station, cart-in tent sites
Adrian's Municipal Campground
Adrian's Municipal Campground is owned by the city of Adrian and offers a ton of amenities. All 121 sites have 50-, 30-, or 20-amp electric hookups, water hookups, and free Wi-Fi. Some spots also offer sewer and/or cable TV, and there is a dump station on the property. You might not have time to enjoy the cable or internet because you'll be too busy playing horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, baseball, gaga ball, or life-size chess or checkers. There is also a professionally designed 18-hole disc golf course on the premises, so you'll never be bored at Adrian's Municipal Campground.
Red Barn RV Park
This older park offers lots of shade under the mature trees. Located in Tea, SD, Red Barn RV Park offers 76 full hookup sites with either 50- or 20-amp power. Pets are allowed at this campground, and it offers laundry, showers, restrooms, wireless internet, cable TV, swimming pool, horseshoes, and golf. The on-site clubhouse also has a game hall.
Tower Campground
Tower Campground in Sioux Falls is a kid- and pet-friendly campground that offers pull-through sites and full hookups with 50- or 30-amp power. Premium sites have a brick fireplace and a free bundle of wood. Pull-through sites start at $46.75 per night, and back-in spots start at $42.08 per night. Tower offers nightly, weekly, and monthly rates. It has a kids' play area and its own dog park as well as laundry, restrooms, and shower facilities. The campground is shaded by beautiful mature trees.
River's Bend Campground
With two catch-and-release fishing ponds and a swimming pond with a sand beach, River's Bend Campground has plenty to offer. This municipal campground has back-in sites with 50-amp power, and some sites have water and sewer hookups. There is a dump station on-site. In addition to the ponds, recreational amenities include access to an award-winning trail system, playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and a driving range that you get to via a trail. Full hookup sites start at $25 per night or just $17 per night for electricity only.
What to Do at
Blue Mounds State Park
Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy watching the bison herd and the plentiful deer and birds. Bird species include grosbeaks, orioles, and nighthawks. Dickcissels and buntings travel through the area as well. Climbers enjoy the 100-foot-high cliff from which the park gets its name. The park has no picnic areas, but a small space with 14 picnic tables adjoins the park.
Inside Blue Mounds State Park
While the bison herd is a large draw to the park, other wildlife such as elk, wolves, and prairie chickens abound. You may not associate cactus with Minnesota, but Blue Mounds State Park is one of a few spots in the Gopher State where the prickly pear grows, so visit late June or July to see them in bloom. In late summer, the wildflowers put on a colorful show, and the park is a haven for native tallgrass such as the blue-stem grasses that grow to 7 feet tall. You'll find lots of different kinds of trails in the park, including self-guided hikes, paved bike trails, and snowmobile trails. If you enjoy bird-watching, a number of unusual birds frequent the park, so be sure to download the bird checklist.
Fishing
You need a valid Minnesota fishing license, and the best place to fish is at the Upper Dam. Black crappies are plentiful. You can also catch walleye and bass. Occasionally, you can hook bowfin or yellow perch.
Hiking
There are 13 miles of hiking trails that wind through the woods and the rest of Blue Mounds State Park. All 13 miles are easy to hike, so they're great for families with young children.
Stargazing
Visitors to Blue Mounds State Park sometimes hike to the observation platform near the bison range at night to gaze at the stars and hear the bison in the darkness nearby.
Climbing
Most of the climbing in Blue Mounds State Park, including the quartzite ridge, is considered bouldering. The bouldering ranges in difficulty from V0 to V8. The traditional vertical climbing routes go up to 5.11 difficulty.
Geocaching
The Blue Mounds State Park geocache requires five specific tasks before you can count it as complete. Part of the series of tasks involves the park itself, and another feature requires you to drive to locations nearby, making it a fun and challenging geocache expedition.
Boating
The boating here is limited to canoes and kayaks on either Upper Mound Lake or Lower Mound Lake. Interestingly, despite Minnesota being the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," these lakes are the only ones in the county.
Swimming
You can swim at the small beach near Lower Mound Lake. You'll likely need insulated swimwear in the early spring or fall, but the water shouldn't be much colder than 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
How to Get to
Blue Mounds State Park
From the west, drive from Sioux Falls, SD, along Route 90 until you reach Route 75. On Route 75, turn north and head through Luverne to the park just a few miles further. From the east, travel west along Route 90 until you reach Route 75. Turn north and follow Route 75 through Luverne to the park. From the Twin Cities, proceed south along Route 35 until you reach Albert Lea. From there, turn west on Route 90. Proceed to Route 75 and drive north through Luverne until you reach the park. From the South, such as Sioux City, Iowa, Omaha, or Kansas City, take Route 29 north until you reach Route 90. Drive east on Route 90 until you reach Route 75, upon which you will turn north and then proceed through Luverne until you reach the park.
Entering Blue Mounds State Park
Parking is available at Blue Mounds State Park.
Blue Mounds State Park One-day vehicle permit : $7.0
Blue Mounds State Park Year-round vehicle permit : $35.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Mounds State Park
Blue Mounds State Park is open all year, although the campground is closed for the winter. Even then, seeing a 2,000-pound bison frolicking in the snow is well worth the visit. Generally, summer is the best time to visit Blue Mounds State Park because the lake water will be warm enough for comfortable swimming. The summer temperatures are also mild enough not to be distressing.
The bison are the most popular wildlife attraction in Blue Mounds State Park. Bird-watchers can put several species in their notebooks, such as hawks, grosbeaks, and dickcissels. There are also endangered aquatic species, such as the Blanchard's cricket frog.
There are 73 RV-specific campsites at Blue Mounds State Park. Of these, 40 have electric hookups. Two sites, one electric and one not, are specifically designed to be accessible to wheelchairs.
Yes, reservations are required. In addition to the cost of entering the park, you must pay $24 extra daily to use the campground.
Yes, you may bring your pets to Blue Mounds State Park. You must use leashes no longer than 6 feet and clean up after your pets. Pets aren't allowed in the restrooms, showers, or other indoor facilities.