The road entrance to Flandrau State Park, located at 1300 Summit Avenue. Saturday, April 25 vehicle permit access to Flandrau and all Minnesota state parks is free.

Minnesotans will have a chance to visit any of the state’s 73 parks at no cost this Saturday, April 25, when the Department of Natural Resources suspends vehicle permit fees for its spring Free Park Day.

For New Ulm residents, the promotion offers opportunity to spend the day at Flandrau State Park.

Flandrau is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for day use, with camping available throughout the year. Under normal circumstances, visitors must purchase either a $7 daily vehicle permit or a $35 annual pass to enter any Minnesota state park. Free Park Day temporarily lifts that requirement, allowing anyone to drive in and explore without cost.

Located along the Big Cottonwood River on the southwest side of New Ulm, Flandrau spans roughly 1,000 acres of varied landscape.

Flandrau maintains about eight miles of hiking trails. The paths wind through prairie, forest, and river corridors.

Flandrau also carries a notable historical legacy. In the 1930s and 1940s, crews from the Works Progress Administration completed several projects within the grounds, including the construction of a distinctive purple quartzite building that remains one of Flandrau’s most recognizable landmarks. The structure stands as a reminder of the WPA’s impact on public infrastructure across Minnesota.

Flandrau’s history extends into the World War II era as well. Part of the park served as a prisoner‒of‒war camp during the conflict, a lesser‒known chapter that still appears in local histories and interpretive materials. While little physical evidence of that period remains, the site’s wartime role adds another layer to its long connection with the community.

Flandrau State Park’s main entrance is located at 1300 Summit Avenue in New Ulm. General information is available at mndnr.gov/Flandrau. The park office can be reached at (507) 233‒9800, and campsite reservations are available through the state reservation line at 1‒866‒85PARKS.