SE MN State Parks Allowing Deer Hunting – How to Stay Safe as a Visitor

Minnesota's deer hunting opener for firearm season is coming up Saturday, November 8th, 2025. Archery season has been going on since mid-September, and muzzleloader season is coming up. Many places around Minnesota are open for hunting, but there are some this year that surprised me.

Minnesota State Parks are allowing deer hunting this year. Not all of the state parks are allowing this, and they have specific time frames and rules depending on the state park, but as someone who loves to visit state parks and doesn't hunt, this was some important information!

Out of the state parks that are allowing hunting, some of them will be closed to any visitors other than hunters, but some will still be open to visitors while hunting is going on. That makes it even more important that we know about this!

ALSO READ: Epic Indoor Slide Park Opening a Second Minnesota Location

SE Minnesota State Parks Allowing Deer Hunting, 2025

The Minnesota DNR has a full list of which state parks are allowing deer hunting this year, but I wanted to focus on the SE Minnesota state parks on the list and if the parks will be open or closed during the hunting periods.

(CLOSED = "The park is closed to the public and open only to hunters with a valid permit during a particular hunt."

LIMITED = "The park is open both to visitors and to hunters OR a portion of the park is open to the public and closed to hunting while another part is open to hunters only.")

Get our free mobile app

Beaver Creek Valley State Park
LIMITED
Dates: 12/06 - 12/07
Type: Muzzleloader
Hunting Map

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
LIMITED
Dates: 11/08 - 11/09
Type: Firearm
Hunting Map

Fronteanc State Park
CLOSED
Dates: 11/22 - 11/23
Type: Firearm

Great River Bluffs State Park
LIMITED
Dates: 11/22 - 11/23
Type: Firearm
Hunting Map

Lake Louise State Park
LIMITED
Dates: 11/15 - 11/16
Type: Firearm
Hunting Map

Myer-Big Island State Park
LIMITED
Dates: 12/06 - 12/07
Type: Muzzleloader
Hunting Map

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
CLOSED (both sets of dates)
Dates: 12/06 - 12/07 and 12/19 - 12/21
Type: Muzzleloader for 12/06 - 12/07, Firearm (CWD) for 12/19 - 12/21

Rice Lake State Park
LIMITED
Dates: 12/06 - 12/07
Type: Muzzleloader
Hunting Map

Whitewater State Park
CLOSED
Dates: 11/22 - 11/23
Type: Firearm

How to Stay Safe in MN State Parks Allowing Deer Hunting

If you are planning to go to one of these state parks, especially if you're just going as a visitor, during the hunting periods, there are some very important things to do and be aware of to stay safe.

1. Pay attention to the map and where the hunting will be taking place in the park.

2. Wear blaze orange or other bright colors so you won't be mistaken for a deer (this is important for both hunters and visitors).

3. When you arrive at the state park, check with the ranger's office to make sure you know about the hunting areas, etc.

4. There will be signs out at the parks. Read them carefully and follow them!