{"id":3732,"date":"2018-06-13T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2018-06-13T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=3732"},"modified":"2023-08-14T16:38:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T21:38:59","slug":"10-things-about-myre-big-island-state-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/10-things-about-myre-big-island-state-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea MN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Campgrounds in Southern MN are abundant. But if you want a unique experience, you have to go to a Minnesota State Park. And in this area, if you are looking to camp near Albert Lea, Myre-Big Island State Park<\/a> is the best one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our night camping was like any other, with the exception of no s\u2019mores for the parents because I forgot to restock the supply of graham crackers in our camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we first arrived, we thought it was just like any other park. But this southern Minnesota campground is something entirely different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myre-Big Island State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The park was formerly named Helmer Myre State Park, to honors former Minnesota State Senator Helmer Myre. The park is unique in that it contains two islands. Teh main campsites are big island. You can also fish off of little island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The park’s glacial shoreline on Albert Lea Lake and its oak savanna offer a breathtaking backdrop for hiking and biking to cross-country skiing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located 1.5 hours south of the Twin Cities, a Trip to Myre-Big Island State Park is a prefect escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camping in Southern Minnesota at Myre-Big Island State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spend The Night with Fireflies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This park\u2019s best feature is the fireflies that light up your night. For this reason alone, you may want to start your campfire early, so it doesn\u2019t detour these bugs from visiting. What starts out as a few, you\u2019ll soon find yourself engulfed in 100\u2019s of magical insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My oldest described it as having Christmas lights all over the grass. It didn\u2019t take long before we were surrounded by these fantastic little bugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve only seen bugs like this one other time, in a campground in Iowa. After talking with a few others, this is a common occurrence in the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wetlands make it a prime spot for this to happen throughout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sunset<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hiking on the Prairie on the MN State Park Hiking Club Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Miles:<\/strong> 6.2 miles
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy
Total Miles Hiked:<\/strong> 51.7 miles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The camp has over 16 miles of hiking trails, and I think I tried to convince my family to do them all. It started with two attempts at the Hiking Club Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We completed about 3 of the 6 miles and found that instead of getting to see much more than prairie, all I got was a lot of bugs, trees, and some very wet shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While my boots may be breathable, they do a great job of letting water in them too. Going on a very stormy weekend, we ended up tackling it all in little sections in-between weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download a Free GeoPDF map from Avenza<\/a> before you leave.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Trees<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

**Update<\/em>** Going back to Myre Big Island State Park on a different weekend, we managed to complete the remaining portions of the trail through the oak savanna and find the password! Hiking on a cooler day with dry boots makes a world of difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pond<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hiking<\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\"Barb<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Visit with the Wildlife<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The amount of different wildlife in the park is astounding. Because it\u2019s not as heavily trafficked as some of the North Shore parks, you get the opportunity to see a lot more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were able to see a few different frogs, a giant snapping turtle, white-tailed deer, and pelicans. Finches, red-winged blackbirds, and enjoyed the prairie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve also witnessed more mayflies and other non-biting insects than I would have liked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Snapping<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Geocaching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Part of the fun of Geocaching is exploring the unknown. Using a Geocaching unit provided by the State Park, be prepared to hike for up to six miles along the trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for a way to motivate your kids to hike, the unit works great to have them navigate for you as you get closer and closer to the destination. Then the hunt is on for the marker. We had a great time trying this one out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have two different Geocaching paths setup. One for Myre-Big Island and one for the Blazing Star Trail. Both take off from the same place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Geocaching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Camping on an Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can camp on an island campground without needing a boat to get there. The campsites located on the Island portion of the grounds were very wooded and up close to your neighbors. But with views of the lake, who cares!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have both electric and non-electric spots for everyone. White Fox Campground provides a little more privacy between spaces. If you have a trailer or a bigger rig, I recommend staying at White Fox Campground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fishing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Myre<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stay in A Wall Tent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t have a tent of your own, no problem! Rent a Wall Tent. This is the only MN State Park that rents this type of shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tent is found on in the White Fox campground and can be reserved on State Parks Reservation System<\/a>. Bring your sleeping bags and cots, for a group of up to 6 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Camping<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Canoeing the Lake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a few ways to rent canoes. The first is through the State Park itself. After getting your paddle and life jackets from the office, go down to the boat launch to pick up your canoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also rent Stand Up Paddleboards. Spend the day paddling around the lake in some of the calm waterways of Albert Lea Lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Canoe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bike the Blazing Star State Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Go biking on the Blazing Star State Trail Bike Path. Southern Minnesota has some of the best bike trails for beginners. They are flat prairie land with some fantastic views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blazing Star State Trail runs from Myre-Big Island State Park and ends six miles later in the heart of Albert Lea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are working on building an additional 14 miles. The plan is to have it connect Albert Lea and Austin for a total of 20 miles. The Root River Bike Trail will have some competition soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wild<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paddle the Shell Rock River State Water Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travel 20 miles by canoe from starting at North Edgewater Bay and travel all the way to the Iowa Border. Myre-Big Island is a midway point in the journey before you enter the Shell Rock River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for an alternative to the BWCA canoeing adventure, this could be a great alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shell<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visit New Denmark Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Usually, I wouldn\u2019t tell you to leave a State Park to head into a City Park, but this one is exceptional. New Denmark Park is a stop on the Shell Rock River State Water Trail and is another spot to pick up canoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complete with a few fountains, and its own private island, it\u2019s a favorite location for the locals to fish for Muskie. My favorite part of the whole park was finding the mermaid located at the south end of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"New<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Would I Go Back?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Myre-Big Island State Park was so much fun; I only wish that I had more time to explore the park, with more favorable weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, we were dodging a rain system the whole time, making it harder to hike for a longer amount of time. But we still had a great time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also got to mark off a state park visit on my MN State Parks Passport<\/a>. Make sure to get a reservation over the weekend to guarantee a spot, or do a day trip there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pin it for Later<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Camping<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"New<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hiking<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Campgrounds in Southern MN are abundant. But if you want a unique experience, you have to go to a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":false,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[564,942,4],"tags":[972,125,229,293,124,123],"apple_news_notices":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":564,"label":"Minnesota"},{"value":942,"label":"Minnesota State Parks"},{"value":4,"label":"Southern MN"}],"post_tag":[{"value":972,"label":"Albert Lea"},{"value":125,"label":"Fall"},{"value":229,"label":"Hiking"},{"value":293,"label":"Outdoors"},{"value":124,"label":"Spring"},{"value":123,"label":"Summer"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Myre-Big-Island-State-Park-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Jenn S","author_link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/author\/admin\/"},"comment_info":4,"category_info":[{"term_id":564,"name":"Minnesota","slug":"minnesota-adventures","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":564,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Discover the beauty of Minnesota with DayTripper! From scenic drives to outdoor adventures, plan your next getaway today. #ExploreMN #DayTripperMN<\/span>","parent":0,"count":527,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":564,"category_count":527,"category_description":"Discover the beauty of Minnesota with DayTripper! From scenic drives to outdoor adventures, plan your next getaway today. #ExploreMN #DayTripperMN<\/span>","cat_name":"Minnesota","category_nicename":"minnesota-adventures","category_parent":0},{"term_id":942,"name":"Minnesota State Parks","slug":"mn-state-park","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":942,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Looking for an adventure? Try camping in Minnesota! Enjoy the great outdoors and all the activities this state has to offer.","parent":0,"count":112,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":942,"category_count":112,"category_description":"Looking for an adventure? Try camping in Minnesota! Enjoy the great outdoors and all the activities this state has to offer.","cat_name":"Minnesota State Parks","category_nicename":"mn-state-park","category_parent":0},{"term_id":4,"name":"Southern MN","slug":"southern-mn","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":4,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Ready to explore Southern MN like a local? Check out our for insider tips and must-see destinations.<\/span>","parent":564,"count":46,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":4,"category_count":46,"category_description":"Ready to explore Southern MN like a local? Check out our for insider tips and must-see destinations.<\/span>","cat_name":"Southern MN","category_nicename":"southern-mn","category_parent":564}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":972,"name":"Albert Lea","slug":"albert-lea","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":972,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Experience the beauty of Albert Lea, MN with DayTripper. From stunning lakes to historic landmarks, there's so much to explore. Start planning now!<\/span>","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":125,"name":"Fall","slug":"fall","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":125,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Explore the beauty of autumn with DayTripper's Fall Archives! Discover the best fall foliage, festivals, and seasonal adventures.","parent":0,"count":131,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":229,"name":"Hiking","slug":"hiking","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":229,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Lace up your boots and hit the trails! Our MN hiking guide has everything you need to explore the state's stunning natural landscapes.<\/span>","parent":0,"count":110,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":293,"name":"Outdoors","slug":"outdoors","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":293,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"Experience the thrill of the great outdoors with DayTripper's outdoor adventures in MN. Book now and discover a new world of adventure!<\/span>","parent":0,"count":219,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":124,"name":"Spring","slug":"spring","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":124,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"