National park · United States
Flandrau State Park
Visit Flandrau State Park for a low‑cost day: swim in the pool and walk the easy River Loop (≈1 km (0.6 mi)) for under $5, or tackle the 5 km (3.1 mi) Prairie Trail in spring – avoid peak summer heat.Visit Flandrau State Park for a low‑cost day: swim in the pool and walk the easy River Loop (≈0.6 mi (1 km)) for under $5, or tackle the 3.1 mi (5 km) Prairie Trail in spring – avoid peak summer heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
1963
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- The park covers about 5 km² according to Minnesota DNR data (check for any recent boundary changes).
- Established
- 1963
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
Flandrau State Park offers a sand‑bottom pool with lifeguard service in summer, short family‑friendly trails along the Cottonwood River, and prairie‑land hiking; it also provides cross‑country ski loops in winter and a campground with electric sites.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1963.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 1963
The park covers about 5 km² according to Minnesota DNR data (check for any recent boundary changes).
Why go
- A sand‑bottom pool with zero‑depth entry and lifeguard in summer.
- Short, well‑marked trails that showcase the Cottonwood River valley.
- Cross‑country ski routes in winter when snow covers the fields.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, snow on trails.
- FebCold, limited daylight.
- MarSnow melt, trails open.
- AprMild, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, pool open.
- JunHeat, bugs.
- JulHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHot, high mosquito activity.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctFall colors, pool closing.
- NovCold, ski season starts.
- DecSnow, limited services.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deerApr–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Songbirds (warblers, sparrows)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Bald eagle (river sightings)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Twin Cities (Minneapolis–St. Paul)
Take I‑35 south to Highway 169, then west on Highway 99 to Highway 15 and follow signs to New Ulm; the park entrance is on Summit Avenue beside the New Ulm Country Club.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From New Ulm
Drive east on Summit Avenue for ~2 km (1.2 mi); the gate is on the right.Drive east on Summit Avenue for ~1.2 mi (2 km); the gate is on the right.
5 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters & pool | Visitor centre, sand‑bottom pool, restrooms, picnic area. | Open daily, fee applies. |
| River Loop trail | 1 km (0.6 mi) easy loop along the Cottonwood River.0.6 mi (1 km) easy loop along the Cottonwood River. | Open year‑round. |
| Prairie Trail | 5 km (3.1 mi) moderate hike across open prairie.3.1 mi (5 km) moderate hike across open prairie. | Open when not snowbound. |
| Cross‑country ski area | Groomed ski loops in winter. | Open Dec–Mar. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Minnesota DNR data; park centre approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry | US$5 | vehicle | Check at gate. |
| Swimming pool use | US$2 | person | Summer season. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Minnesota DNR – Flandrau State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft.
- Fire
- Open fires only in designated fire rings; pool area prohibits fires.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping not allowed; use the park campground.
- Litter
- Pack out all trash; bins are provided at the pool and picnic area.
- Swimming
- Pool open 6 am–10 pm, lifeguard present mid‑summer.
Where to stay
In the park
Flandrau Campground
30 sites with electric hookups, restrooms, and dump station.
Near the park
New Ulm hotels & motels
Range from budget motels to boutique inns within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the park.Range from budget motels to boutique inns within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the park.
Safety
Ticks medium
Heat & dehydration medium
Lightning storms high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Pool entry has zero‑depth ramp; wheelchair‑accessible restrooms.
- River Loop is paved and suitable for strollers.
- Prairie Trail has some uneven sections; not fully wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect prairie habitats.
- Use refillable water bottles; refill stations at the pool.
- Support local New Ulm businesses for meals and supplies.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Flandrau State Park?
Vehicle entry is $5; the pool costs $2 per person in summer. No fee for pedestrians.
What are the best hikes in Flandrau State Park?
The River Loop (1 km, easy) and the Prairie Trail (5 km, moderate) are the most popular. Both are well‑marked.
When is the best time to visit Flandrau State Park?
April to early June and September to early October offer mild weather, open trails, and the pool in operation.
Can I camp inside the park?
Backcountry camping is prohibited; use the park campground with electric sites.
Is the pool open year‑round?
The pool operates from late May to early September, with lifeguard on duty during peak summer days.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Flandrau State Park
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