pads, modern showers and toilets, and a dump station. Call 320-974-8520 for more information. Saulsbury Beach County Park is on the southern shore of Green Lake and located in the heart of the city of Spicer. It features a shady picnic area and popular swimming beach, with lifeguards on duty from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. There are changing rooms and toilet facilities in the park and a boat access is located next to the park. There are no campsites at this park. Green Lake County Park is on the northeast shore of Green Lake, a deep lake that’s popular for its clear water, good fishing and boating recreation. The park is located five miles north of the city of Spicer on Northshore Drive. The park has 61 campsites with camping pads, water, sewer and electricity available. The park also features a swimming beach, boat access, camp store, game room, playground, picnic area, shelter, modern showers, toilets, bait and gas. Call 320-796-5564 for more information. Lake Carrie County Park is a small secluded park located on Lake Carrie, five miles southeast of Atwater on a dead-end gravel road off of Kandiyohi County Road 86. It includes a boat landing and large grassy parking area but no camping. The clear water of Lake Carrie is a popular spot for anglers. Games Lake County Park is located on the east shore of Games Lake, which is part of the “Norway Lake Chain of Lakes” which includes 2,800 acres of water known for excellent fishing, including northern pike and bluegill. The campground has 56 campsites with camping pads, and access to water and electricity and five camper cabins. The popular park features a sandy swimming beach with lifeguards on duty from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., a large picnic area, enclosed picnic shelters that can be reserved for events, game room, playground, modern showers and toilets, boat access, boat rental, bait, gas and dump station. Besides having typical services and camp accessories, this park store also features a restaurant with meals served all day. The park is 14 miles north of Willmar, or 9 miles northwest of New London, on County Road 5. Call 320-354-4453 for more information. RESORTS There are privately owned resorts, campgrounds and an RV campground in the region. Many offer cabins, camping, and boat and motor rentals at a variety of locations on lakes. Information about what those businesses have to offer can be obtained by looking at their ads in this section or by calling the Willmar Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 320-235-3552. STATE PARKS Reservations Required All campsites in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas now require a reservation before they may be occupied. The park system recommends making reservations before leaving home because
cellphone coverage and wi-fi can be unpredictable at some parks. For spontaneous campers, there are same-day reservations with no reservation fees available whether you’re booking your site from home, from the road or even from the park. To reserve a campsite, go to www.dnr. state.mn.us/state_parks/stay_overnight/ index.html or call 866-857-2757 from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. Permits To visit the park, vehicles require a vehicle permit. Daily permits are $7 and annual permits are $35 and good at all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a full year from the month of purchase. Fort Ridgely State Park Located south of Fairfax, Fort Ridgely State Park features the Fort Ridgely Historic Site, several campgrounds, two picnic areas, fishing, 1930s-era historic stone buildings and 13 miles of hiking and horse trails. The Fort Ridgely Historic Site contains the ruins of a military outpost. Built in 1853, it was used as a training base for Civil War volunteers and to provide protection during an influx of immigrants to the Dakota Territory. The fort came under attack during the U.S-Dakota War of 1862. The fort was abandoned by the Army in 1867, fell into disrepair, and in the 1930s the Veteran Conservation Corp began restoring the buildings. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The site hosts a museum and restored foundations that are managed by the Nicollet County Historical Society. The historic site grounds are open for selfguided tours and the museum is open Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park also contains several graves and monuments connected to the U.S.-Dakota War at the Fort Ridgely Cemetery. A paved, 7-mile bike trail connects the town of Fairfax to the park.
Camping: There are 33 drive-in campsites at the campground, including 15 electrical sites. There are also three secluded walk-in sites and one group campsite that are about 1,000 feet from the parking area. Water spigots and vault toilets are available, however there are no flush toilets or showers available in the main campground. A horse camp has 14 sites, including 13 with electricity. Water is available at each horse campsite. The horse campground also has a modern toilet and shower building. Box stalls are available to rent. A farmhouse that sleeps six people is available. A stone picnic shelter can be rented by the day. The park is located at 72158 County Road 30, Fairfax, MN 55332. For more information, call 507-426-7840 or email fortridgely.statepark@state.mn.us Glacial Lakes State Park Tucked away in the quiet, rolling hills of Minnesota’s glacial terrain near the city of Starbuck, this park offers miles of hiking and horseback trails, swimming and fishing in the cool, clear water of Signalness (Mountain) Lake, Kettle Lake and Baby Lake — which are known for their panfish. Stand on top of the scenic glacial hills and experience the vast, open prairie which once dominated Minnesota. Wildflowers and prairie grasses blanket the landscape from spring through fall. A shady, spacious campground is available; horseback riders and backpack campers can camp at the horse camp and at remote sites. A picnic area deck overlooks Signalness Lake. The park is located five miles south of Starbuck Camping: The main campsite is located on Signalness Lake. It has 37 drive-in sites, 14 with electricity, and access to modern restrooms. There are two seasonal camper cabins and four year-round camper cabins. The park has four walk-in or backpack campsites scattered throughout the park for quiet and remote camping. Some of the sites
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