Big Skies and a Big Tree…Lac Qui Parle State Park
One year and one month from our first time exploring this park, we returned to Lac Qui Parle State Park near Watson, Minnesota! It was THAT good of a park. (And we used it as a one-nighter park on our way further north, for our annual Anniversary Adventure.) Our favorite campsites were taken, so we reserved whatever site we could…knowing that we’d still have a great view of the lake and well, of course, the sky. This park is absolute perfection when it comes to star gazing and, as I like to call it, sunset sniping.
But first, a little park history. Lac Qui Parle State Park was created in 1941. The dam that creates the lake was built by the Works Progress Administration to help with flood control for the Minnesota River Valley. Lac Qui Parle Lake’s name is the name the Dakota people gave it, which means the “lake that speaks.” The Dakota people called it that because it’s a major migration route for thousands and thousands of waterfowl. Hence…lots of “speaking.”
Although many folks come to this park to fish, enjoy the lake, or watch the migratory waterfowl…my excitement centers around Minnesota’s State Record Cottonwood Tree. Both times we’ve camped here, we ventured to see it, capture it on camera, and (at least I…) hug it. What an absolute beast this tree is!! It is 100% worth the trek to camp and hike in this park (even if you aren’t from this part of the state) to check out this tree.
Check out a video of our hike to the tree:
If you are camping the park, you can hike to to the Minnesota State Record Cottonwood Tree by heading south of the campground. You’ll pass by the camper cabins on this route. If you’re visiting just to hug the tree – you can park in a small parking area near the trail.
And if you are planning to camp here, we created a campground campsite video. This gives you a better idea of what the sites look like (as of 2021) in the park. Lac Qui Parle State Park is the first Minnesota State Park we’ve come across that offers full hook-up RV sites.
The hiking club trail and swimming beach are located across the lake from the Upper Campground, on the west side of the park. To get there, you’ll exit the park and take a right and drive over a dam, which is the US Army Corps of Engineers Federal Dam and Recreation Area.
Along the hiking club trail, you’ll see the abandoned lower campground. This was closed some time ago due to flooding. I’d love to know if they’ll ever fix it up again and reopen it. A few treasures in this area of the park include three stone and timber buildings. A really unique piece in one of these buildings is a 3D model of the lake, park, and surrounding area!
The sunsets are also nearly indescribable. The lake, the sky, the skyline…even with not too many clouds…she’s a stunner. Star gazing is incredible on clear nights. So…many…stars and planets and the Milky Way are visible. I hope to capture the starry night on video the next time we adventure here!
And Just Beyond Lac Qui Parle State Park:
- If you’re looking for a road trip opportunity, just beyond the park (along the west side of the park) lies County Road 33, which is park of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway. You can learn more about that adventure here: www.mnrivervalley.com
- Just beyond the park lays a dam; maybe it’s on the edge of the park? Either way, it’s a great spot to fish. We also noticed the bridge just north of the park was quite popular for fishing as we headed north to our next park.
- Another stop we’ll make the next time we camp here will be to drive by to see the Pelicans of Marsh Lake. Marsh Lake has the largest pelican rookery in the state of Minnesota. And is only one of two nesting colonies within the state.
- Nearby, in Western Minnesota, another fantastic state park is Glacial Lakes State Park. Check out our time there!
For our 2021 Anniversary Adventure we headed North to Big Stone Lake State Park…here’s a video of that park’s campsites if you’re headed there too:
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