Driving on Interstate 35 over the sparkling water of Albert Lea Lake entices any outdoorsman to click on the blinker and take a closer look. Turning in to the entrance of Myre-Big Island State Park encompassing the eastern part of the glacial lake, visitor will discover a nature lover’s idea of paradise.
Diverse trails, camping spots, wildlife and recreation await visitors to this 2000-acre southern Minnesota park. It is not just a summer fling park but open year round with a warming station inside an enclosed picnic shelter. Snow shoes are available to rent during Minnesota’s snowy winters for use anywhere in the park while cross country skiers take advantage of the 5 mile trail dedicated for skiing. Snow mobilers also play in the park during the winter on a 7 mile snow mobile trail.
Novice through experienced hikers relish the trails at Big Island State Park. The trails give a tough challenge in an 8-mile self-guided section for hikers, a 7-mile grassy mountain bike trail and a half mile trail for those with disabilities. A 6 mile paved trail connects the park to the city of Albert Lea. Spectacular lake views appear in several spots along a 16-mile winding trail through heavy woods and rolling hills.
Summer weekend rentals for canoes, kayaks and boats are available through the park on weekends. Many campers haul their own boats as anglers come from all over the country to fish in one of the hot spot lakes for walleye. Easy access to Albert Lea Lake through several public spots in the park and along the shores, allow boats into the water.
Bird watching is another popular activity in the maple basswood forest. Known for the beautiful white pelicans that frequent the lake, ducks geese and birds of prey also congregate. Songbirds like the eastern wood pewee, the indigo bunting, the eastern bluebird or the northern oriole are commonly cited by bird watchers.
Myre-Big Island State Park furnishes a wide array of camping choices. Winter camping is popular in the park with gravel pads and 32 electric hookup sites. A total of 93 camping spots feature almost a third of the sites in heavily wooded areas with many boasting the serene views of prairie wilderness. Backpack sites in more remote areas are often accessible only on foot or mountain bike as well as canoe. Vault toilets can be used all year while modern facilities are located in the park office.
Campgrounds provide drinking water, showers and dump stations. Some camp sites have fire rings and picnic tables. A group center at New York Point offers a kitchen and modern facilities and camp sites with electricity. Myre has one modern cabin for rent suitable for 5 guests. Interested parties for any camping option should call 1-866-857-2757. Some spots are not available for reservations and some carry restrictions. Call ahead of time to make sure you are familiar with guidelines for Big Island State Park.
Myre-Big Island State Park carried part of the original name with its current title when it changed in 1990. Helmer Myre State Park was the original title in honor of a state senator with that name. The park is actually located on the big island section of land connected to a smaller island and the mainland with a causeway.
Driving on Interstate 35 over the sparkling water of Albert Lea Lake entices any outdoorsman to click on the blinker and take a closer look. Turning in to the entrance of Myre-Big Island State Park encompassing the eastern part of the glacial lake, visitor will discover a nature lover’s idea of paradise.
Diverse trails, camping spots, wildlife and recreation await visitors to this 2000-acre southern Minnesota park. It is not just a summer fling park but open year round with a warming station inside an enclosed picnic shelter. Snow shoes are available to rent during Minnesota’s snowy winters for use anywhere in the park while cross country skiers take advantage of the 5 mile trail dedicated for skiing. Snow mobilers also play in the park during the winter on a 7 mile snow mobile trail.
Novice through experienced hikers relish the trails at Big Island State Park. The trails give a tough challenge in an 8-mile self-guided section for hikers, a 7-mile grassy mountain bike trail and a half mile trail for those with disabilities. A 6 mile paved trail connects the park to the city of Albert Lea. Spectacular lake views appear in several spots along a 16-mile winding trail through heavy woods and rolling hills.
Summer weekend rentals for canoes, kayaks and boats are available through the park on weekends. Many campers haul their own boats as anglers come from all over the country to fish in one of the hot spot lakes for walleye. Easy access to Albert Lea Lake through several public spots in the park and along the shores, allow boats into the water.
Bird watching is another popular activity in the maple basswood forest. Known for the beautiful white pelicans that frequent the lake, ducks geese and birds of prey also congregate. Songbirds like the eastern wood pewee, the indigo bunting, the eastern bluebird or the northern oriole are commonly cited by bird watchers.
Myre-Big Island State Park furnishes a wide array of camping choices. Winter camping is popular in the park with gravel pads and 32 electric hookup sites. A total of 93 camping spots feature almost a third of the sites in heavily wooded areas with many boasting the serene views of prairie wilderness. Backpack sites in more remote areas are often accessible only on foot or mountain bike as well as canoe. Vault toilets can be used all year while modern facilities are located in the park office.
Campgrounds provide drinking water, showers and dump stations. Some camp sites have fire rings and picnic tables. A group center at New York Point offers a kitchen and modern facilities and camp sites with electricity. Myre has one modern cabin for rent suitable for 5 guests. Interested parties for any camping option should call 1-866-857-2757. Some spots are not available for reservations and some carry restrictions. Call ahead of time to make sure you are familiar with guidelines for Big Island State Park.
Myre-Big Island State Park carried part of the original name with its current title. Helmer Myre State Park was the original title in honor of a state senator with that name. The park is actually located on the big island section of land connected to a smaller island and the mainland with a causeway.
Driving on Interstate 35 over the sparkling water of Albert Lea Lake entices any outdoorsman to click on the blinker and take a closer look. Turning in to the entrance of Myre-Big Island State Park encompassing the eastern part of the glacial lake, visitor will discover a nature lover’s idea of paradise.
Diverse trails, camping spots, wildlife and recreation await visitors to this 2000-acre southern Minnesota park. It is not just a summer fling park but open year round with a warming station inside an enclosed picnic shelter. Snow shoes are available to rent during Minnesota’s snowy winters for use anywhere in the park while cross country skiers take advantage of the 5 mile trail dedicated for skiing. Snow mobilers also play in the park during the winter on a 7 mile snow mobile trail.
Novice through experienced hikers relish the trails at Big Island State Park. The trails give a tough challenge in an 8-mile self-guided section for hikers, a 7-mile grassy mountain bike trail and a half mile trail for those with disabilities. A 6 mile paved trail connects the park to the city of Albert Lea. Spectacular lake views appear in several spots along a 16-mile winding trail through heavy woods and rolling hills.
Summer weekend rentals for canoes, kayaks and boats are available through the park on weekends. Many campers haul their own boats as anglers come from all over the country to fish in one of the hot spot lakes for walleye. Easy access to Albert Lea Lake through several public spots in the park and along the shores, allow boats into the water.
Bird watching is another popular activity in the maple basswood forest. Known for the beautiful white pelicans that frequent the lake, ducks geese and birds of prey also congregate. Songbirds like the eastern wood pewee, the indigo bunting, the eastern bluebird or the northern oriole are commonly cited by bird watchers.
Myre-Big Island State Park furnishes a wide array of camping choices. Winter camping is popular in the park with gravel pads and 32 electric hookup sites. A total of 93 camping spots feature almost a third of the sites in heavily wooded areas with many boasting the serene views of prairie wilderness. Backpack sites in more remote areas are often accessible only on foot or mountain bike as well as canoe. Vault toilets can be used all year while modern facilities are located in the park office.
Campgrounds provide drinking water, showers and dump stations. Some camp sites have fire rings and picnic tables. A group center at New York Point offers a kitchen and modern facilities and camp sites with electricity. Myre has one modern cabin for rent suitable for 5 guests. Interested parties for any camping option should call 1-866-857-2757. Some spots are not available for reservations and some carry restrictions. Call ahead of time to make sure you are familiar with guidelines for Big Island State Park.
Myre-Big Island State Park carried part of the original name with its current title. Helmer Myre State Park was the original title in honor of a state senator with that name. The park is actually located on the big island section of land connected to a smaller island and the mainland with a causeway.
If campers are interested in finding out more about this park—or any Minnesota park, look at the state website at http://mndnr.gov/state_parks/myre_big_island/.