Lac Qui Parle State Park

Welcome to Lac qui Parle State Park located near Watson Minnesota!

Park History: Lac qui Parle State Park got it's name from a French translation of the Dakota name for the lake. In English, it means Lake that Speaks. The park is bordered by the much larger Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. One of the unique facts about Lac qui Parle State Park is the fact that it's home to a phenomenal species comeback story. In Autumn of 1958, only 150 geese were counted passing through the park. Today, that number has been as high as 120,000 at one time. In 1835 two men, Dr. Thomas Smith Williamson and Alexander Huggins founded the Lac qui Parle Mission in the land that is now the park. Their missionary work translated the gospel into the Dakota language and they also made the first cloth in the state of Minnesota. Lake qui Parle was one of the lakes that was formed from the drainage of Glacial Lake Agassiz from 13,000 to 15,000 years ago.

Wildlife: Lac Qui Parle State Park helps protect the home of numerous wild critters including deer, geese, and squirrels. Please treat their home with respect.

Recreation: For the lover of the outdoors Lac Qui Parle State Park boasts over seven miles of trails, 43 campsites (37 of them have electricity and 9 of them have water), and so much more. Come on out and explore!

Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area is included in this park's profile and acrage.

To contact the office please call 320-734-4450.