Red Rock Lake Park
Rate this placeNearby: Pheasant Woods Park Staring Lake Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Red Rock Lake Park is a beautiful natural area located in Minnesota that offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors.
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Summary
One of the main attractions of the park is the lake itself, which is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. In addition to the lake, there are several hiking trails that wind through the park's forests and meadows, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing.
Another popular attraction at Red Rock Lake Park is the campground, which offers a range of sites for both tents and RVs. The campground is well-maintained and includes amenities like showers, picnic tables, and fire pits.
Several points of interest at Red Rock Lake Park include the historic Red Rock Dam, which was built in the early 1900s to control flooding on the Des Moines River, and the nearby Red Rock State Recreation Area, which offers additional opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as part of a nationwide effort to provide jobs during the Great Depression. The park also features several unique ecosystems, including oak savannas, prairies, and wetlands.
The best time of year to visit Red Rock Lake Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is the most popular season, with warm weather and plenty of opportunities for swimming and boating. Fall is a great time to visit for hiking and wildlife viewing, as the leaves change colors and many species prepare for winter. Winter brings opportunities for ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
lake auburn campground
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Carver Park Reserve
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Cleary Lake Regional Park
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Pheasant Woods Park
Staring Lake Park
Edenvale Park
Round Lake Park
Eden Lake School Park