The word "Shetek" is Ojibwe for "pelican," a bird which visits Lake Shetek during the summer and fall. The park contains the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota, which forms the headwaters of the Des Moines River.
Expect great fishing for walleye, northern, crappie, and bullheads. Loon Island, a 45-acre island on Lake Shetek, is accessible on foot via a causeway and includes an interpretive trail.
Visit the Koch Cabin and monument memorializing pioneer settlers. The park includes a swimming beach, boat launch, campgrounds and a scenic six-mile loop bicycle trail into the town of Currie. Boat, canoe, and kayak rentals are available.
Camping
Drive-in Sites 66 sites
Pull-Through Sites 3 pull-through sites with electricity, 1 pull-through site with full hook-up
Electric Sites 64 sites
There are 32 electric sites in Oak Woods Campground and 32 sites with sewer/water/electricity in Sunrise Campground. All sites with electricity are 20/30/50 amp service.
RV Length Limit 70 Feet
Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Wheelchair Accessible Sites 6 sites
Cart-in Sites 7 sites
Group Camp 1 Site - accommodates up to 30 people
The Wilderness Group Camp is adjacent to Park Lake. Hand pump and vault toilets available. No showers are available. Drive-in, tent only site.
Group Center 1 group center, sleeps up to 80 people.
Other Park Lake Campsite - accommodates 6
This is a small lakeside camp for tent camping only. The site will accommodate up to six people. Campers will have about a 60-yard hike to the site from the parking area. A cart is available at the parking lot to assist in transporting camping equipment and supplies to the site. This campsite has access to a nearby hand pump for water and has vault toilet facilities.
Trails
Summer
Wheelchair Accessible 4.5 Miles
There is a crushed quartzite rock trail that is wheelchair accessible that starts at the picnic area, continues along the lake shore to the boat landing, across the causeway and around Loon Island. This trail is 1.5 miles in length. Portions of the paved bike trail starting at the park office and continuing along Smith Lake and Lake Shetek to the town of Currie may also be wheelchair accessible. This section would be approximately 3 miles in length.
Self Guided 1 Mile
A one mile loop trail around Loon Island highlights some of the natural and cultural history of the island. This trail is also the park's hiking club trail.
Hiking 14 Miles
There are 14 miles of hiking trails, including 6 miles of the bike trail, that take you through a variety of landscapes that make up Lake Shetek State Park. Sights to be seen include restored prairie areas, wetlands where a variety of waterfowl can be seen, around the very popular Loon Island Trail and through woodlands with 250 year old oak trees.
Paved Bike 6 Miles
The Casey Jones/Currie Loop State Trail is a 6 mile loop that connects Lake Shetek State Park and the nearby town of Currie. The bike trail can be accessed at a trail head in Currie or in the State Park. The trail goes past several of the park's historic sites from 1862, past beautiful views of Smith Lake and Lake Shetek and through restored prairie areas. The bike trail also takes you past several rolling landscapes of grassland and farm fields.
Winter
Snowmobile 5 Miles
Approximately 5 miles of groomed snowmobile trails within the park connects to the wider Murray County Trail System. The trail enters the park in a couple different locations and winds through the park's woodlands and prairies. Trail updates can be found periodically on the DNR's Snow Depth Report.
Recreation Facilities
Summer
Picnic Area Close to the lake and swimming beach
Located close to the lake and swimming beach, it is handicap accessible with fire rings and picnic tables scattered throughout.
Picnic Shelter Open shelter and enclosed shelter
There are two picnic shelters, an open shelter and an enclosed stone shelter with a woodstove. Both shelters have electricity and the open shelter is available to rent. Contact the park office for more information.
Playground
The playground equipment is located adjacent to the swimming beach and picnic area.
Volleyball
Available for free checkout at the park office.
Horseshoes
Available for free checkout at the park office
Other Soccer
Thank you to the Friends of Lake Shetek State Park for donating soccer nets and balls for use by our park visitors. Please inquire at the park office.
Winter
Warming House Enclosed shelter
The warming house is the enclosed stone shelter. There is electricity, several picnic tables and a woodstove for heat.
Water
Fishing Pier Near picnic area
It is wheelchair accessible and located adjacent to the picnic area.
Swimming Beach Near picnic area
Boat Access Lake Shetek
The drive-in boat landing provides direct access to Lake Shetek and has a large parking lot for vehicles and trailers. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, paddleboat and rowboats are also located here and are available to rent at the park office.
Canoe Access Smith Lake
The canoe access and dock on Smith Lake within the park is part of the canoe trail on Lake Shetek. Signs marking the portages to Lake Shetek are visible. There are also canoes located here that can be rented at the park office.
