Monson Lake State Park
RV Guide

All lovers of the flora will have a lot to see and a lot to talk about after they visit the Monson Lake State Park. The park is heavily forested with bur oak, basswood, green ash, and northern red oak. American hornbeam, also known as blue-beech and Ironwood is one of the most prevalent shrub plants here, whereas the understory is carpeted by the Virginia waterleaf, also known as eastern waterleaf. Other wildflowers you can find include Dutchman’s breeches, nodding trillium, bloodroot, merry bells, also known as large-flowered bellwort, as well as starry false Solomon seal, and the jack-in-the-pulpit. By the lake, campers will find the bur-reed, spikerush, arrowhead, and prairie bulrush, as well as buckthorn and reed canary grass.

Bird watchers and animal lovers will have something to talk about when they steer their campervan or trailer in the direction of their homes. Bird watching is one of the most popular ways to pass the time at Monson Lake State Park, as the area has a lot of beautiful feathered creatures you can admire from afar. Songbirds, white pelicans, herons, western grebes are often found here, but also the threatened and rare species such as Forster’s terns, trumpeter swans, Henslow’s sparrows, and Franklin’s gulls. You can download the bird checklist off Monson Lake State Park’s official website and check off every species you see on the list. If you are interested in mammals, you will be able to see the groundhogs, squirrels, white-tailed deer, foxes, eastern chipmunks, as well as minks. Make sure to bring your camera to this park, as you will be able to capture some of the most captivating images of these animals in their natural habitat. Of course, if you’re lucky and know how to approach them without invading their territory. As always, be careful with the animals to avoid getting hurt, and to avoid having them scared or injured when they see a weird creature staring at them and approaching rapidly.

Monson Lake State Park is an important historical and archeological site where researchers found that the park was once occupied by Native Americans, as far as to the Woodland Period, from 1000 BC to 1000 AD. They discovered stone tools that include obsidian from the Great Plains and quartzite from Hixton in Wisconsin, which points to this area being within a trade network. Visitors will learn about the death of 13 Swedish settlers who died in 1862, after the Dakota War between them and the Dakota. The settlers were attacked at the Broberg cabin, which is now a memorial placed there by the sole survivor, Peter Broberg who was only seven years old when the slaughter happened. The park has since become a cultural hub with many plays, speeches, and music events happening during the in-season months. However, it is worth noting that the Dakota were included in the memorial, as they were the ones who suffered injustice by having their land taken forcefully.

If you are looking to stretch your legs outside of the camper or RV, you’d be happy to stroll through the nature trail crossroads starting behind the showers, right on the campground. The gorgeous, wooded trail will take you to three possible segments, one of which is a trail that offers a breathtaking view of the Lake Monson on one side, and the forest on the other. You can see many interesting plants and birds on this trail, before you venture onto the trail point, where you can sit and relax in the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings. The Monson Lake nature trail is quite flat so even the non-experienced hikers can have a good time and have a nice walk in the shade of the trees that will protect them from the sun. finally, you can walk all the way from Monson Lake to West Sunburg Lake and get the best of both worlds while you are camping in this gorgeous park!

When you get tired of walking, grilling, and having meaningful interactions with other humans, worry not. Monson Lake State Park is a perfect playground for all the boat and canoe lovers who want to escape from people and spend some quality alone time on the water. Wake up at the crack of dawn and head to the boat ramp to be the first one on the calm lake. The pristine surroundings and the soothing breeze will be the perfect environment for thinking of your next RV trip, coming up with that million-dollar business idea, or just reflecting on the decisions you have made and the ones you are yet to make. You will need to bring your own boat, kayak, or a canoe, and be on a higher skill level, but even the non-pros can have loads of fun here.

As in most lake parks, the Monson Lake State Park is a popular fishing destination for people who want to enjoy a less crowded park while they’re traveling in their campervan. Make sure to come prepared and pack your fishing gear because you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best game fish in the area. The fishers can test their skills while fishing for walleye, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike. Every two years, the walleye are stocked so you can rest assured that you won’t find any scarcity of them in this park. Anglers who did not bring a boat can enjoy the beautiful fishing pier that offers a spectacular view of the lake, especially at sunrise. However, visitors with boats can take advantage of the boat ramp and launch their floater to the middle of the lake.