Lake Poinsett State Recreation Area

Come here for great fishing and plenty of space to hike.

Lake Poinsett was formed after the damming of Distress Creek to create a recreational lake in 1960. It is a small, quiet park with boat rentals, boat ramps, and a bait shop nearby. There is a day-use area with picnic tables, a heated and cooled pavilion, a nice playground, and a great open field for games. Lake Poinsett is one of the largest lakes in the state and was named after Joel Poinsett, who served as U.S. Secretary of War. Poinsett promoted the expedition of Joseph Nicollet and John Fremont, who had first explored the region in 1838. The group camped on the north side of Lake Poinsett.

Today, the area provides great camping and space for recreational activities. Lake Poinsett State Park has 132 acres with campgrounds for tents, trailers, or RVs. They have some 30 amp and some 50 amp areas for RV campers. The park has interpretive programs year-round to help guests learn about the area and its history, wildlife, and hiking trails. You can also come here for kayak tours. All of the trails are easy for all ages to enjoy, and there are 29 campsites available. Lake Poinsett Recreation area is great for swimming, boating, waterskiing, and fishing for walleye, bass, pike, and perch. Stop by the visitor center and museum to learn about the history of the area and the lake.