Garden Island State Recreation Area

Garden Island State Recreation Area is a 734-acre protected area on Lake of the Woods in northern Minnesota featuring forests, wetlands, and shorelines. The island spans multiple habitats shaped by both water and land.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources established this area in 1998 to preserve natural landscapes in the northernmost part of the state. Its designation as a recreation area reflected a commitment to protecting this remote region.

Visitors come to fish, hike, and watch wildlife in their natural surroundings. These activities help people connect with the forests and waters of northern Minnesota.

Reaching the island requires a boat journey of about 19 miles from the southern shore of Lake of the Woods. Visitors need permits and should prepare for remote conditions with limited facilities.

The eastern shore hosts large colonies of pelicans, cormorants, and gulls that nest there throughout the year. Inland visitors may encounter deer, wolves, and black bears, wildlife rarely seen in other parts of the region.

Location: Lake of the Woods County

Inception: 1998

Website: https://dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=sra00307

GPS coordinates: 49.17780,-94.85860

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:25