When it comes to exploring the beauty of nature, the state of Minnesota well and truly has you covered.
Featuring 66 state parks, it boasts a breathtaking landscape of forests, rivers, bluffs, meadows and prairies. As well as the little matter of some 10,000 lakes.
If you happen to live in or around the city of Hutchinson, these parks provide you with an abundance of opportunities to enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits. This includes everything from fishing, swimming and water based recreational activities, like canoeing and kayaking, to photography, hunting and star gazing.
For those people, there are lots of destinations you can head to. So should the urge to explore the wilds of nature engulf you, here are 6 state parks near Hutchinson we highly recommend you visit.
Map of State Parks Near Hutchinson MN
Here is a map of the state parks in Minnesota covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Hutchinson
The great thing about all the state parks outlined below is that they can be reached within a 2 hour and 45 minute drive of the city. This means they can easily be visited as day trip destinations.
However, should you want to spend a longer amount of time exploring any of them, they all offer camping facilities that will appeal to all styles and budgets too.
1. Fort Ridgely State Park
Distance from Hutchinson: about 35 miles southwest of Hutchinson (straight-line).
Location: Fairfax, Minnesota
Explore Fort Ridgely State Park in Minnesota. Discover rich 1862 historical sites, ride expansive equestrian paths, and hike deep wooded ravines.
See our full Fort Ridgely State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Lake Maria State Park
Distance from Hutchinson: about 36 miles northeast of Hutchinson (straight-line).
Lake Maria State Park ( mə-RY-ə) is a state park of Minnesota, United States, created to provide a wilderness area within an easy drive of Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
See our full Lake Maria State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
Distance from Hutchinson: about 36 miles southeast of Hutchinson (straight-line).
Location: Jordan, MN
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a 5,490-acre (2,222 ha) unit of the Minnesota state park system in Scott County, Minnesota, the United States.
See our full Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Flandrau State Park
Distance from Hutchinson: about 41 miles south of Hutchinson (straight-line).
Location: New Ulm, MN
Flandrau State Park is a state park of Minnesota, United States, on the Cottonwood River adjacent to the city of New Ulm.
See our full Flandrau State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Traverse des Sioux State Park
Distance from Hutchinson: about 43 miles southeast of Hutchinson (straight-line).
Location: 1851 North Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter, Minnesota 56082
Traverse des Sioux is not run as a state park: the Minnesota Historical Society lists the site as managed by the Nicollet County Historical Society, and state law designates it the Traverse des Sioux State Monument. The trails are free to visit.
See our full Traverse des Sioux State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Sibley State Park
Distance from Hutchinson: about 44 miles northwest of Hutchinson (straight-line).
Location: 800 Sibley Park Rd NE, New London, MN 56273
Sibley State Park is the closest destination on this list to Hutchinson.
Situated just an hour’s drive northwest from the city, this park is a renowned hiking spot, with several trails taking you through a gorgeous landscape of lakes, prairies, farmlands and forests, on your way up to Mount Tom.
The forest in particular is rather eye-catching, featuring a very Insta-worthy selection of maple, aspen, green ash, oak, red cedar, basswood and ironwood trees.
Equally attractive is the scenic Lake Andrew, which is a popular spot for swimming, boating and fishing. While there is also a waterway route which you can take via kayak, or canoe, to the adjacent Swan and Henschien lakes.
In terms of camping accommodation, the park offers guests the choice of 132 campsites that range from primitive to full hookups.
Sibley State Park covers 2,512 acres in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. Established 1919.
See our full Sibley State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
