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Minnesota
12

Minnesota State Parks

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Minnesota
Southern Region
Sibley State Park
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SIBLEY STATE PARK
SIBLEY STATE PARK
800 Sibley Park Road Northeast
New London, Minnesota   56273

Phone: 320-354-2055
Toll Free: 888-646-6367
Reservations: 866-857-2757
Email: park email button icon
There is something for everyone at this popular west-central Minnesota State Park. Hike to Mount Tom, one of several high points in a 50-mile radius, and see a patchwork of forest, farmland, prairie knolls, and lakes. Summer visitors enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing on Lake Andrew. A canoe route invites adventurers to portage and canoe on Henschien Lake and Swan Lake. The park offers campgrounds, a modern group center, horseback camps, picnic area, and interpretive programs year-around.
Nature of the Area
The forest is dominated by oak, red cedar, ironwood, green ash, aspen, maple, and basswood. On the knolls, remnants of prairie grasses still grow. Some of the fields which had been cleared and farmed by settlers have now been restored to native prairie grasslands and oak savanna.

Four times in the history of Minnesota, glaciers advanced from the north, covering the state with a sheet of ice up to two miles thick. During the last of these advances, as recent as 10,000 years ago, most of the features of the Minnesota landscape were formed.

White-tailed deer, red and gray fox, coyote, raccoon, and ruffed grouse are inhabitants of the forest. Chipmonks, red and gray squirrels, mink, striped skunks, badgers, and woodchucks are other species visitors can see as they hike the trails at Sibley State Park. Birds common to Sibley include great blue herons, egrets, wood ducks, Canada geese, scarlet tanagers, indigo bundings, pelicans, loons and bluebirds.
History of the Area
Peter Broberg, the only member of his family to survive the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862, along with other residents were successful in getting the Minnesota State Legislature to provide funds to purchase land which became Sibley State Park. Realizing that the area was a popular spot for more than the local people, the Legislature established Sibley as a state park in 1919. The park was named after Henry Hastings Sibley, Minnesota's first governor. In 1935 the Federal government sent the Veterans Conservation Corps to Sibley State Park. For the next three years, this group of up to 200 men built roads, buildings, and trails within the park. When the camp was finished, they left behind several granite buildings and a popular state park.
Swimming
1. Sibley State Park offers a sandy beach for swimming on the eastern shore of Lake Andrew.
2. Lifeguards are not provided, so swim at your own risk.
3. Swimming is only allowed during daylight hours in designated areas.
4. The park's campground provides easy access to the lake and its swimming area.
5. There are no indoor or pool facilities available; all swimming is open water-based within Lake Andrew.

Boating
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There is access to Lake Andrew, where motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed. Canoeing and kayaking opportunities also exist on the lake or in smaller ponds within the park boundaries. Boat rentals including canoes, paddleboards, rowboats and kayaks are available at reasonable rates from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in several lakes, teeming with walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish. Ice fishing is popular during winter months. Lake Andrew offers a boat ramp for easy access to water-based activities including angling. Fishing equipment can be rented on-site if needed.



Picnicking
1. Sibley State Park offers numerous picnic tables and grills in shaded areas.
2. There are two large, rentable picnic shelters for group events.
3. Picnic sites offer beautiful views of Lake Andrew or the surrounding forested hillsides.
4. The park provides accessible restrooms near all picnicking locations.

Bicycling
For biking enthusiasts, there are several options available. Be aware that some trails may be challenging for beginners.

The park offers a 2-mile paved bike trail which is relatively easy to navigate. However, caution should always be exercised due to potential traffic and wildlife encounters.

Additionally, the Mount Tom Trail provides an intense workout with steep inclines and rough terrain; it's not recommended for novice bikers or children without supervision.

There also exists a network of multi-use trails where mountain bikes can venture off-road but these paths require careful navigation as they're shared by hikers too.

Lastly, remember safety gear such as helmets while exploring on two wheels in this beautiful natural setting.
Birding
Birdwatchers can enjoy over 200 species of birds in the park, including waterfowl and songbirds. The area is home to a variety of habitats such as forests, wetlands, and prairies that attract different bird species. Birding checklists are available at the Park Office for enthusiasts to track their sightings. A highlight includes spotting Bald Eagles during spring migration season from Mount Tom lookout point.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
October 23 Not for horse lovers!!
park review stars; one to five Limited trails that are not kept up for starters, the horse camp was not taken care of at all not worth the money or long trip to get there. Then there was the part that there were people camping in the horse camp without horses but had no problem letting their kids run around spooking the horses!
January 20 Our favorite park by Hitz
park review stars; one to five Aside from the north shore, this is our favorite park ever. We go for a week every summer, we love hiking through the woods and the prairies, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Sibley has become a family tradition since I was a child.
January 21 One of the most complete and best parks!
park review stars; one to five Sibley State Park has great camping opportunities with a variety of campsites available. It also has great hiking trails, and interpretive center, and a beach with fishing pier. You will not be disappointed if you visit Sibley.
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Directions
From St. Cloud, take State Hwy 23 to New London, then State Hwy 9 west to US Hwy 71. Go one mile south on 71 to park entrance.

From Willmar, take US Hwy 71 north, 15 miles to the park entrance.

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Minnesota
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Minnesota State Parks

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