Camden State Park

Welcome to Camden State Park, an oasis of forests, grasslands and marshes located near Lynd, Minnesota.

Park History: The landscape in and surrounding Camden State Park was carved out by glacial retreat at the end of the last ice age. Camden State Park lies on top of the Altamont Moraine, a large deposit of gravel, clay, sand, and pebbles left by glaciers. Archeological evidence tells us that Native American tribes hunted this land’s game and fished it’s rivers as far back as more than 8,000 years ago.

In the 1830’s, European settlers began to arrive when the American Fur Company set up a post in the region. In the 1850’s more white settlers began pouring in and in 1874 the town of Camden was established. In the 1880’s Camden was a thriving town with a blacksmith, general store, hotel, and sawmill. In 1888 however, the railroad decided against building a line through the town and Camden stopped growing. By the time of the Great Depression, the town of Camden was only a memory. Camden State Park was established in 1935.

Flora and Fauna: The area that is now Camden State Park was once roamed by creatures such as golden eagles, buffalo, prairie chickens, and wolves. Today those creatures are gone, but there are hawks, raccoons, white-tailed deer, and coyotes. Some of the plants that grow inside the park’s boundaries include trout lillies, goldenrods, maples, cottonwoods, ashes, and many others. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Camden State Park boasts over 15 miles of trails, 80 campsites (29 with electricity), a fishing pier, a swimming beach, and so much more. Come on out and explore!

The phone number is 507-865-4530. This was RecPlanet place of the day on August 12, 2015.