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Kilen Woods
Overview
Kilen Woods State Park is a peaceful retreat nestled in the prairie lands of southwestern Minnesota. Known for its lush greenery and serene environment, this park offers travelers a chance to escape the hustle of busier tourist hubs. It is characterized by its rolling hills and deep river valleys, providing a surprisingly diverse landscape for the region. Whether you are stopping for a night or staying for a week, the park provides a quiet sanctuary focused on the natural beauty of the Minnesota River Valley area.
Location & Surroundings
Located just a short drive from Lakefield, MN, the park is perched on the banks of the Des Moines River. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, making the park’s dense woods and restored prairies feel like a secluded oasis. Visitors can enjoy the unique topography created by the river's path, which has carved out scenic bluffs and shaded ravines that offer a stark contrast to the flat farmlands nearby. It is a perfect spot for those who appreciate seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Amenities & Park Features
The park offers a variety of camping options, including electric sites suitable for RVs up to 50 feet in length. While the park maintains a rustic atmosphere, it provides essential comforts such as a seasonal shower building and vault toilets. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the five miles of hiking trails that wind through the oak savanna and prairie. There is also a dedicated canoe launch for those looking to explore the river, along with a picnic shelter and a playground for families traveling with children.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, visitors can explore the charming town of Lakefield or take a short trip to the Okoboji Lakes area just across the border in Iowa. Within the park, the Dinosaur Ridge Overlook provides a stunning vantage point for photographers and birdwatchers. The river itself is a draw for fishing and paddling, while the winter months transform the trails into a destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The quiet roads nearby are also excellent for cycling through the rural countryside.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal choice for nature lovers and birdwatchers who prefer a quiet, low-key camping experience over a crowded resort. It is perfectly suited for RVers who enjoy dry camping or need basic electric hookups while prioritizing privacy and natural surroundings. Families looking for a safe, outdoor-focused environment will find plenty of space for kids to explore. If your travel style involves slow mornings, scenic walks, and falling asleep to the sounds of the forest, Kilen Woods is a must-visit destination.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Keith Austin
Great state park, very quiet considering how close to I90 it is. Sites are a little close to each other, but passing through for one night it was great!
Wendy Clemmerson
Nice campground. The loop with the electrical sites seemed a little tight but the other loop has roomy and more private sites. Nice trails.
Monty Klatt
Great hiking trail in oak woods near the Des Mounes River. The trail extended into oak Savanah and Prairie. Easy hike, lovely scenery.
DLM-Distribution Campervans
Kilen Woods State Park – Beautiful Park, Unwelcoming Host The natural beauty of Kilen Woods State Park is undeniable. Rolling prairies, river bluffs, and quiet trails make it a peaceful spot for a hike or a relaxing overnight stay. The campground appeared clean, well-kept, and inviting, and the park itself is a nice example of southern Minnesota scenery. Unfortunately, our arrival left a very different impression. The state employee on duty was the least welcoming I’ve ever encountered at a Minnesota state park. He glared at us as we pulled in, never put out his cigarette, never asked if we needed help, and gruffly lingered outside without stepping into the building to provide assistance. The experience felt like we were intruding on his smoking break rather than visiting a public park supported by taxpayer dollars. Because of that first impression, the park felt uninviting despite its natural charm. If you plan to visit, I’d recommend arriving after hours to enjoy the scenery and campground without dealing with an unpleasant reception. The park itself is worth a short stop, but the service experience was a major disappointment.
Shawn Johnson
Such a beautiful area to walk around so many trails. No matter the time of year. Let alone being able to camp there beside...
Micah Brady
Very nice state park, trails were nicely maintained and fairly easy to follow. Large parking area and no trash to be seen.
Virginia VanKeulen
We went RV camping in the middle of September. Very nice state park. New clean bathrooms and showers. Great place for stargazing. Lots of trails with pretty overlooks and through woods. A couple of trails were closed for maintenance and a bridge was out but overall things were maintained. Campsite was set up backwards, very close to the road and felt like we were sharing it with the neighbor. No water or dump station.
Heather Anderson
We were pleasantly surprised by how much this state park has to offer! Quiet campground (as typical, some campsites are more private than others), large oak trees, fantastic showers, beautiful hike (trail is well maintained), gorgeous views of the Des Moines River, and a nice loop for kiddos to ride their bikes. This is a relaxing park, and we will be back! There is no dump station, but the park has a list of nearby (sort of?) dump stations. We caught the park ranger only because there was a wedding at the park during our stay. He said the park is in a transitional phase and merchandise will be available to purchase online hopefully in a year or so. The office did not have anything for sale.
Marcus Corbin
Absolutely enjoyed this little park! We decided to take a surprise camping trip here and got a couple great spots (#8 and #9). Since no electric spots were open, we just tent camped. However, we will for sure be back with our camper since we are only an hour away. They do not have a dump station though! We might just have to fill up in Mankato or find a campground nearby. The hiking trails were very nice. Kind of up and down with some hills so be prepared for that. Lots of different birds to spot as well. The entire area (including campground) is also very buggy. Make sure to bring some head mosquito nets. You may look silly, but it seriously helps a bunch!
Wyatt W. Penke
Quiet smal park not far from I90. Camp sites look very nice, bathrooms very good. Park wood be a good home base for bigger parks in the area or for traveling down the river. Trails are in rough shape and need more signage. All the park markers are outdated and fading. I did see a ton of wildlife for a small area.