Lake Shetek State Park

Welcome to Lake Shetek State Park, home of the largest lake in southwest Minnesota and the headwaters of the Des Moines River located near Currie.

Park History: Before the arrival of European settlers the Native Americans roamed this land and hunted Bison. In the 1830's some notable explorers including Nicollet, Catlin, Prescot, and Fremont ventured through the region. The first white settlement was established in 1856 and never grew much larger than 40 people. The U.S. Dakota Conflict of 1862 took a toll on both the white settlers and the Native Americans.

Flora and Fauna: Many years ago this land was a treeless prairie dotted with grasses and wildflowers. Today the land is a combination of fields and of forests that help protect habitat for numerous species of plants and animals. Some of the park's plants include elms, ashes, oaks, basswoods, hackberrys, and others. Some of the park's animals include minks, beavers, muskrats, woodchucks, coyotes, squirrels, foxes, ducks, herons, and numerous reptiles and amphibians. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Lake Shetek State Park boasts miles of multipurpose trails, nearly 100 campsites (64 with electricity), a soccer field, and a picnic shelter. Come on out and have a nice adventure.

The park's phone number is 507-763-3256. This was RecPlanet place of the day on September 1, 2015.