Sakatah Lake State Park

Introduction of Sakatah Lake State Park

Sakatah Lake State Park is home to a section of the 39-mile Sakatah-Singing Hills State Trail, which runs from Mankato to Faribault. Hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowmobilers can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Minnesota’s hardwoods on the paved trail. Sakatah Lake, a natural widening of the Cannon River, attracts canoeists and anglers looking for walleye, largemouth and white bass, northern pike, and panfish. Visitors enjoy camping and picnicking in all seasons.

The Wahpekita (Wapacoota) tribe of the Dakota Nation inhabited the area that is now the park. The area was named Sakatah, which translates as “the sights and sounds of children playing on the hill,” or “Singing Hills” for the state trail. The Cannon and other area rivers were vital Indian water routes connecting south-central Minnesota and Wisconsin. Because of the Big Woods, land travel was difficult, and a water route allowed for larger loads. Along the way, there were numerous trading posts and Indian villages. A village is thought to have existed near the point that separates Upper and Lower Sakatah Lakes.

In 1862, a trader named Alexander Faribault established a post on the northeast shore of Cannon Lake, becoming one of the area’s first white settlements. He eventually established at least five additional trading posts along the Cannon River.

The area was described by surveyors in the late 1800s as low, rolling land with second-rate timber and prairie land with bur oak, basswood, aspen, butternut, elm, ash, and ironwood. This area is an example of an ecotone, or transition zone, between the Southern Oak Barrens and Big Woods Landscape Regions.

Sakatah Lake State Park Camping

Sakatah Lake Campground is located on the southern shore of Sakatah Lake, just east of Waterville. Many visitors choose to swim in the lake’s crystal clear waters, hike the 41-mile Sakatah Singing Hills Trail that runs through its center, or simply wander the forest looking for wildlife. For motorhome camping, a dozen or so campsites are available, each with electrical hookups and flush toilets (at least during the summer months). There are also showers and a dump station where you can empty your RV rental’s holding tanks. The campground is fairly rustic aside from those basic amenities. Although firewood and ice can be purchased on-site, since Waterville is essentially within walking distance, it is preferable to do your shopping there. Consider renting kayaks from the state park office to get out on the lake while camping in an RV near Waterville. Because there are a limited number of boats available, it is best to inquire early in your RV camping trip. A boat launch is located near the lake’s eastern end, and from there, you can begin paddling the Cannon River State Water Trail, which runs through the lake. The park’s hiking trails range in length from a few minutes along the lakeshore to loop hikes around the campground. Autumn visitors flock to the Big Wood Loop, where mature trees line the pathway and burst with color.

Sakatah Lake State Park Activities

Boating

Sakatah Lake, a natural widening of the Cannon River, attracts canoeists and anglers looking for walleye, largemouth and white bass, northern pike, and panfish. There are four canoes for rent. Two of them are double-point canoes, and the other two have flat sterns that allow a trolling motor to be mounted on the back of a canoe. Customers are required to bring their own trolling motor. There are no motor rentals available. Weather permitting, the rental season runs from mid-May to September. All rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fishing

Sakatah Lake, a natural widening of the Cannon River, attracts canoeists and anglers looking for walleye, largemouth and white bass, northern pike, and panfish. Anglers can use the park’s fishing pier.

Picnicking

A picnic area with picnic tables, some standing grills, and regular fire rings is located alongside the fishing pier on Upper Sakatah Lake. When the regular drinking fountains are closed for the season, there is a hand pump for water. There is a vault toilet building nearby with sinks and running water (in season). Horseshoe pits are available; equipment can be obtained from the park office.

RVing

The park’s dump station is usually open from mid-May to mid-October. The maximum RV length is 55 feet. RV campers are advised to carefully review site specifications when making reservations, as spur length varies and not all sites in the park’s wooded campground can accommodate slide-outs.

Sakatah Lake State Park Location

The park entrance is one mile east of the intersection of State Highways 13 and 60 in Waterville, or 14 miles west of Faribault.

Parking

Parking is available near the fishing pier and near the campground.

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available.