Minnesota state parks offer free entry June 13, including Otter Tail sites
Glendalough and Maplewood will be free on June 13, giving Otter Tail County families a no-cost day in two of Minnesota’s biggest draws.
Families in Otter Tail County can get into Glendalough State Park in Battle Lake and Maplewood State Park near Pelican Rapids for free on Friday, June 13, when Minnesota waives vehicle permits at all state parks and recreation areas. The one-day break lands during Great Outdoors Month and National Get Outdoors Day, making it a timely excuse for a close-to-home outing.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says June 13 is one of four free park days in 2026, along with Monday, Jan. 19, Saturday, April 25 and Friday, Nov. 27. The waiver covers entrance only. Camping, rentals and special tours still cost money. The agency says a state park or recreation area is within 30 miles of most Minnesotans, and both Otter Tail sites sit within an easy day-trip drive for local families.
Glendalough is the likelier crowd magnet. The park draws more than 120,000 visitors a year and centers on Annie Battle Lake, a 335-acre non-motorized Heritage Fishery with special regulations. A new trail center and a trail extension past Sunset Lake opened in June 2025, adding another reason to visit beyond the lake access and walking routes. The park’s history runs through the Cowles family, which donated the land to The Nature Conservancy on Earth Day 1990 before the parcel was transferred to the Minnesota DNR in 1992. That combination of scenery, trail access and long-standing reputation has made Glendalough an economic and recreational anchor for Battle Lake and Otter Tail County.
Maplewood offers a different kind of day out near Pelican Rapids. The park has eight major lakes and many ponds, along with a scenic route known for wildlife viewing. Visitors can find Lake Lida’s sandy beach and large picnic areas, and the park is home to 150 bird species and 50 species of mammals. Its park idea dates back to 1923, giving the landscape a deeper historical pull than many summer stopovers.
With free entry, established trail systems and two distinct park experiences, June 13 should send extra day-trippers into Battle Lake and Pelican Rapids, where the added traffic often gives nearby communities a boost before the busiest stretch of summer arrives.
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