Father Hennepin State Park

Father Hennepin State Park is a 320-acre protected area along Lake Mille Lacs with a wide sandy beach and dense hardwood forests. Two accessible fishing piers and designated swimming zones line the shoreline.

French missionary Louis Hennepin traveled through the region in the late 1600s and left detailed accounts of its geography and inhabitants. The park was established in 1941 and named after him to preserve this historical legacy.

The park's name honors a French missionary who documented the region in his travels. Today, visitors find historical markers throughout the grounds that recall the Dakota peoples who lived here long before.

The grounds offer campsites with electrical hookups, modern shower facilities, and designated swimming areas during warmer months. In winter, visitors can use cross-country skiing trails and try ice fishing on the lake when it freezes solid.

The shoreline offers exceptional ice fishing opportunities when the lake freezes over during the coldest months and forms a thick sheet of ice. This winter activity attracts experienced anglers who seize this rare seasonal chance.

Location: Mille Lacs County

Inception: 1941

Address: P.O. Box 397, Isle, MN 56342

Phone: +13206768763

Email: fatherhennepin.statepark@state.mn.us

Website: https://dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00142

GPS coordinates: 46.14470,-93.48810

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08