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. A brief overview of each park follows.

GARVIN PARK

• Lower Campground: 15 sites with electricity
• *Campground Host site is Site #11 (lower camp)
• Upper Campground: 14 sites with electricity, and 1 non-electric site
• Horse Camp: 17 sites with electricity. (starting August 2013)
• Primitive Campground: 8 non-electric tent sites. 

TWIN LAKES PARK

• North Campground: 15 Sites (1 ADA site) with electricity

CAMPING RATES: 

    $20.00 all campground electrical sites

    $  5.00 primitive campground only (without electricity)

Park Amenities and Facilities: Both park have Shower Facilities, and a Dump Station. (Off Site Dumping for non-registered campers is $5.00). Garvin Park has plenty of recreation, and play space including a softball field, several sets of playground equipment, and disc golf. Twin Lakes is a popular area for fishing and West Twin Lake is for non motor use only making a great place for paddle-boarding, canoe and kayaking.

Maps, Rental Rates, and Park Rules are available below.

Attachments:

Parks-Fairgrounds Rates.pdf	352 kB
Lyon County Parks and Campgrounds Rules	219 kB

Opened in 2016, Twin Lakes Park is Lyon County's newest park; nestled between East Twin and West Twin lakes. From Florence, MN drive South on Minnesota Highway 23 to Lyon County Road 51 and Turn South for 2 miles. County Road 51 passes through Twin Lakes Park.

 The Camden Regional Trail is a paved, multi-purpose recreational trail extending from Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) through the City of Marshall, and connecting area residents to Camden State Park. About 4 miles of paved trail connect adjacent campuses of Marshall High School and SMSU to a network of bike lanes in the City of Marshall. At the West end of Marshall, the paved trail covers 10 miles of gently rolling hills between Wayside Park (along MN HWY 23) to Camden State Park.

The community is fortunate that years of planning has come to fruition. Supported by the Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program (administered through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) this trail system is of regional importance by providing community members from throughout the region to utilize the trail for walking biking, running, hiking, and inline skating. With Camden State Park as a destination location, and several enjoyable stops along the way, the Camden Regional Trail invites your to stay in shape, connect to the outdoors, and feed your soul.

Back in the thirties, one of the most popular spots in Lyon County was a 27-acre track of woodland along the Cottonwood River. This park became a reality through the efforts of interested people, the Garvin Community Club, and Mr. H.C. Garvin a retired Winona businessman. In his youth, Mr. Garvin, was a station agent at Tracy for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. He became the chief contributor of money and equipment for the park.

As a result of the depression years, many men were out of work. Mr. Howard Bussard administered federal relief funds to pay a crew of men for the labor needed to create a park. Two log cabins were built, a ball diamond cleared, picnic tables built, fireplaces put in many locations and a swimming pool dredged. Mr. Frank Swain was hired as caretaker. He planted many flower beds and made a rock garden. He kept the park mowed and clean.

On May 30, 1935 a crowd of 5,000 attended the dedication event. The park was visited by hundreds during the next years, but spring floods washed away the bridge and destroyed much of the work done. Funds ran low and soon the area reverted to its wild state.

In November of 1967, after an 18 months process, the Lyon County Board levied local funds to match state and federal grants to enlarge Garvin Park by 490 acres and to develop recreational facilities; essentially establishing the current 750 Garvin Park footprint.

The Lyon County Board of Commissioners and Park and Recreation Board help to communicate local interest in managing the park for regional residents.

The Main Entrance for Garvin Park is along US Highway 59 only 1.5 miles North of the Intersection of US 59 and US Highway 14. Garvin Park is 13 miles South of Marshall from Minnesota Highway 23.