There’s no better excuse for getting outside than feeding your thirst for nature photography. Nowadays a lot of people spend too much time indoors, and going outside is extremely beneficial for your wellbeing – that’s for both your health and enjoyment. Nature photography is extremely therapeutic if you can reap enjoyment from it. If you have had a stressful week, heading out to be alone with your camera and the natural world can be a great way to wind down and forget any troubles. Nature is everywhere – you don’t need to look far to find a beautiful scene or a bird that is willing to come to a bird feeder. You don’t have to book a studio and a model to take photos; just go outside and start clicking that shutter.

Most people admire nature in some form. Whether that be appreciating a dramatic, serene landscape or the glint in a swooping eagle’s eye, your photos are going to be appreciated by a wide audience. If you are looking to share something that people can connect with, nature photography is a great way to do this. Nature photos will transport the viewer into your shoes, allowing them to imagine the scene as if they were there with you. Providing this window into the natural world to those who may not be able to access it themselves is a great thing to do.

Garvin Park and Twin Lakes Park and the Camden Regional Trail offer unlimited options to express your artistic creativity.

Lyon County is proud to support community events through rental of Fairgrounds Buildings, and the Portable Stage! Several annually events are held at the Lyon County Fairgrounds in addition to the Lyon County Fair. Relay for Life, wedding receptions, Rolle Bolle events, and 4-H events occur throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Rental agreements and rates are included as attachments at the bottom of this article. Please note that some events may also require a certificate of liability insurance.

We are happy to host your event. Please contact the Environmental Department for fairgrounds buildings rental and events information.

Rental Rates are listed in the "Fee Schedule" attachment below.

Attachments:

Parks Camping and Fairgrounds Building Rental Rates	80 kB
Fairgrounds Rental Agreement	81 kB
Portable Stage Rental Agreement	36 kB

Garvin County Park is the heart of the Cottonwood River in Lyon County. Almost 800 acres of riparian woodland reside along the growing Cottonwood River - nestled into the remnant prairie landscape. This rich mix of topography offer deep valleys for dense, woodland-loving species like Wild Turkey, Eastern Screech-Owl, Black-belled Cuckoo, and Eastern Towhee.

Garvin Park is a must stop during spring migration for a variety of species of warblers, tanagers, orioles, and buntings. Whip-poor-wills sing when springtime is nigh and Least Flycatchers are plentiful enough to make your ears ring. An autumn fallout of raptors in can turn up Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Broad-winged, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, and both Red-tailed and Swainson's Hawks have nested in or near the park. Winter is a good time to search for the growing Wild Turkey population, and both Long-eared and Screech Owls find refuge in the steep banks when the wind is bitter from the northwest. Bald Eagle can be seen in early winter looking for a feast. Northern Cardinal are growing in population as well. In spring and Fall, dense underbrush makes for suitable cover for the migrating sparrows. Some rare summer nesting species include Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and American Redstart; somewhat removed from their typical Minnesota range. 

Garvin Park is listed at a "hotspot" on eBird: eBird Hotspot - Garvin County Park

Twin Lakes Park in Southwest Lyon County doe not have much l;and to offer but its namesake lakes offer a variety to water-loving birds. East Twin Lake is typical of Southwestern Minnesota lakes - very trophic with a strong food source for pelicans, and herons. West Twin is disconnected from East, and has pristine water clarity; great for diving ducks and loons, and grebes during migration. A 20 acre wetland complex between the two lakes privides foraging for migrating geese and nesting for dabbling ducks, rails, and herons.

Attachments:

Garvin Park Bird Checklist

116 kB

This 9-hole course includes the unique characteristics of Garvin Park as it passes through a mix of oak woods, elevation changes, open spaces, and the ever-present SW MN winds. The Main entrance of Garvin Park is located about 2 miles North of the intersection of US Highway 14 and US Highway 59.

 Click for full size map.

The following table includes distances, and par settings for three levels of play. Note also that elevation change is included for fairways from box to target. The total distance of play is about 3,100 feet, while the total walking distance is about 5,100 feet.  An overview map can be downloaded from the Attachments link below.

Attachments:

Lyon County Disc Golf Scorecard

504 kB

Lyon County has two parks with camping; Garvin Park (50 sites & Tent Only Camping), and Twin Lakes (17 sites). Both parks have electrical at each site (except primitive camp at Garvin Park. Even with 60+ site the weekends fill up fast! Here's a few reasons why... Camping is GOOD FOR YOU...

FRESH AIR
After setting up your tent or moving your belongings into your yurt, you take a deep breath and are overwhelmed by a feeling of happiness. This is not only because you are about to embark on a week-long vacation, but because you are surrounded by trees which give off a high-capacity of oxygen. Your brain functions better with this increased level of oxygen and releases serotonin, which makes you feel happy and lowers your stress level. Fresh air has other health benefits, such as improving your blood pressure, aiding digestion, and boosting the immune system. Providing your body with these higher levels of oxygen over a series of days increases the effect of these health benefits.

EXERCISE AND SOCIALIZE
Camping provides a great deal of exercise. You walk to different amenities, swim, play sports, hike, fish, etc. These different exercises burn off a greater amount of calories than an office job would. Exercise activates your cardiovascular system and is beneficial to the health of your heart and lungs. In a society where hard work is idealized, and more time is spent at your place of employment rather than at home, camping provides time away from daily stresses and allows time for you and your family to socialize without distractions. According to The American Journal of Public Health, socializing can delay memory problems and extend your lifespan

SUNSHINE
Whether you are sleeping outdoors or taking refuge in an RV, just spending down time outside has a huge impact on your health. The sun is not only good for that tan, but it also provides our bodies with Vitamin D. This is essential to our well-being because Vitamin D allows our body to absorb calcium and phosphorous which strengthens our bones and teeth.

REDUCES STRESS & DECREASES ANXIETY / DEPRESSION
Being outdoors and camping allows you to remove yourself from the stresses of your career. Sitting by the pool or in front of a dim campfire are great ways to relieve stress. Although many campsites offer wifi, it is important to allow yourself time away from technology and connectedness (the need to be connected through social media). The decrease in the constant stimulation of technology will encourage a greater psychological and emotional health. Research has shown that green spaces can decrease depression by up to 71%. Camping allows us to break away from the chaos of life and enjoy the simplicity of nature. Clarity can be developed from the solitude of nature.

The Inner Tubing Hill has been closed for several years. Tubing equipment is no longer available, and the hill is not staffed by Lyon County personnel. Garvin Park is open to public use including the former tubing hill, and many people sled at the park.  Vehicles - including snowmobiles - are not allowed on the hill.