Glendalough State Park

Trail Center Shoreline

Pristine Annie Battle Lake is the central feature of Glendalough State Park. The lake is designated as a Heritage Fishery where no motors or electronics are allowed. All of the park's wooded trails begin at the trail center, which provides year-round bathrooms. Skis and snowshoes are available here for rent in the winter months.

Glendalough Lodge

Glendalough Lodge, built in 1905, is the historic heart of Glendalough. When not rented for private use, the lodge is open daily to interpret Glendalough's history as a hunting camp and game farm. Both the lodge and neighboring trail center are available for day-use rentals.

Glendalough Lodge Interior

The lodge played host to American presidents and powerful executives in its heyday as a private retreat for the Minneapolis Tribune. Interior displays and a history video detail the years before Glendalough became a park. If the lodge is closed, an outdoor kiosk provides a look at Glendalough's past.

Lake Blanche

Glendalough, the "glen between two lakes", began as a 30-acre property between Annie Battle Lake and Lake Blanche. The Beaver Pond Interpretive Hiking Trail traverses this oldest part of Glendalough, passing through a mix of woods, wetlands, and meadows while pausing to interpret natural and historic features along the way.

Battle Creek

Battle Creek connects four of Glendalough's lakes—Battle, Molly Stark, Annie Battle, and Blanche—in a chain that is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. The creek also accompanies a large portion of the Beaver Pond Interpretive Hiking Trail. Wildlife sightings are frequent here during all seasons.

Old Camp Bridge

The bridge marks the boundary to Glendalough's former hunting camp. Just a little west of the bridge, the park rents canoes, kayaks, and rowboats on Annie Battle Lake. Rentals are set up on a self-serve basis and rented by the day (until 9 p.m.) and half-day (four hours or less). Lifejackets are included in the equipment rental.

Sunset Lake

Aptly named for its beautiful sunsets, shallow Sunset Lake is also known for an abundance of waterfowl, particularly during spring and fall migration. A one-mile trail circuits the lake, passing through prairie and oak savannah.

Prairie at Sunset

Glendalough's 700 acres of restored prairie bloom with a multitude of colors beginning in late July and lasting until the final blush of the prairie grasses in September. The Sunset Lake Trail provides spectacular views of this vibrant, grassy domain.

Cart-in Campground

With secluded campsites and no vehicle traffic, Glendalough's cart-in campground is truly a peaceful tenting experience. A cart is provided for each campsite to haul your gear from 200 to 1300 feet into the woods from the parking area, and storage benches protect your food at night from the raccoons. Several sites have views of Annie Battle Lake, and there is a small landing below the campground to leave your boat or canoe.

Camper Cabin

Glendalough's popular camper cabins are located in the cart-in campground, 250 to 1200 feet from the parking area, and share the campground's shower and toilet facilities. A cart is provided to haul your gear. Cabins have one sleeping room and a screen porch. Year-round cabins have heat and electricity. A picnic table and fire ring are outside.

Group Tent Campground - G1

Glendalough's group camp is located on Battle Creek, with easy access to both the quiet recreation of Annie Battle Lake and the motorized activities on Molly Stark Lake. Campers are allowed to drive in and drop off their equipment before parking in the nearby lot. The group camp is a short walk from the picnic area, swimming beach, and fishing pier on Molly.

Fishing Pier

The Molly Stark Lake fishing pier is a rewarding spot for sunfish and bass from mid-June through the summer. Rental canoes can also be picked up here for those who want to explore Molly or start their chain-of-lakes journey with the current. A short trail follows the north shore of Molly to the creek and ends at a good place to cool your feet.

Picnic Shelter

The picnic area and swimming beach on Molly Stark Lake is a cool spot on a hot summer day, and the shelter can be rented for large gatherings. The shelter has electricity, and water is available from the nearby hand pump. Tables and fire rings are scattered in the picnic area, and two pedestal grills are found near the shelter. A large open area is great for playing ball.

Molly Stark Lake Overlook

A short hike from the picnic shelter, the overlook provides a striking view of the lake and the area's glacial topography. Cross the entrance road to the Prairie Hill Interpretive Trail to see more views and the park's remnant native prairie. The Prairie Hill is always worth a visit, especially in late April when it is carpeted with thousands of pasqueflowers and in late August during the monarch migration.

Annie Battle Lake Trail Bridge

The 3.3 mile Annie Battle Lake Trail is also Glendalough's Hiking Club trail. It provides beautiful views of the lake as well as hiking and biking access to the canoe-in campground.

Annie Battle Lake Trail Picnic Site

Benches and picnic tables along the Annie Battle Lake Trail provide sites for resting or eating a picnic lunch along the way.

Canoe-in Camp Access

Three canoe-in campsites on the southeast shore of Annie Battle Lake provide a rugged experience without venturing into the wilderness. Access is by hike, bike, or canoe. Drinking water must be hauled in or filtered from the lake, but firewood and a toilet are close by.

Canoe-in Group Camp - G2

Glendalough offers the only canoe-in group camp in Minnesota's state parks. It is perfect for small youth and family groups up to 20 people. The group camp has its own landing site.

Annie Battle Lake Trail

This 1.5-mile portion of the trail is known as "Lover's Lane" and was once an entrance to the Glendalough property. Though not paved, the hard-packed surface is a favorite of bicyclists. The terrain for road bikes becomes more difficult beyond the canoe-in campground.

Observation Deck

The observation deck on Lake Emma provides almost a bird's-eye view of this unspoiled wetland. From here you might see eagles from the nearby nest, waterfowl, beaver, otter, or a stray pelican or sandhill crane. Or, you can just sit and enjoy the view.