Lac qui Parle State Park

The Lac qui Parle State Park got its name from the French translation of the lake christened by Dakota Indians as the “lake that speaks.” Going there in the spring or fall will help you understand precisely why it is called as such. The lake is a stop for thousands of migratory waterfowl and Canadian geese. 

You won’t miss these birds as you will hear their honking and quacking, and other vocalizations in the Lac qui Parle State Park. If you plan on visiting a few parks in the state, it is best to purchase a vehicle permit for $35 and get a year of unlimited visits.

If you are up for paddling the lake at Lac qui Parle State Park, you will be delighted to know that you can cast a line and easily catch perch, crappie, and walleye. The trails are very popular for foot exploration, and the best thing is you can take Spike with you as long as he is on a leash. Horseback riding is another favorite pursuit on the trails. 

One of the things the state park boasts of is the excellent management of the wildlife. Among the animals you will see are geese and white-tailed deer. Management practices have increased the number of geese from 150 to 120,000 in just a few years. Geese typically arrive early in March from their primary wintering post at Swan Lake, and the migrations continue until April.

Some of the amenities at the Lac qui Parle State Park are a visitor center, interpretive exhibit, public phones, various restaurants in the nearby towns, naturalist programs held throughout the summer, horse camp, group camp, pull-through sites, electric sites, camper cabins, showers, dump station, and vault stations. 

Flush toilets, however, are only available in the upper campground. The Lac qui Parle State Park has more than enough room for four-legged friends to get exercise and socialize. There is no dedicated space for dogs, so they always have to be on a leash for their safety, and that of other pets and people.