Big Marine Park Reserve is in the northern part Washington County. The park was selected as a regional facility because of its excellent natural resource features, including the St. Croix Valley/northeast ground moraine and high-quality upland and wetland wildlife habitat. When completed, the park will be 1,800 acres, with 80 percent of its acreage set aside for preservation and protection. This 80 percent will eventually resemble the land as it was prior to the arrival of the settlers in the mid-1800s.
Park Hours are 7 a.m. until one-half hour after sunset.
Vehicle Permits are required for all vehicles entering the park.
Directions to Big Marine Park Reserve
Park facilities and activities include...
Boat Launch
The boat launch is open from 6 a.m. to half-hour after sunset, and it accesses Big Marine Lake. The launch is also open in the winter. There are 33 parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers. There must be a parking space available before you launch your boat; if the parking lot is full, you may not launch. There is also a Department of Natural Resources boat launch on the north end of the lake.
Minnesota DNR Lake Information
Play Area
Come Ride the Slide!
There is a large "destination" play area in the park, that is actually two play areas installed in one general location. The gigantic creative playground is a favorite for children of all ages. The highly accessible playground features a towering 18-foot slide, a colossal climbing rock, and a 20-foot geodesic climbing web.
Swimming Beach
The clear-water swimming area includes 400 linear feet of sandy beach. Clean rest rooms, changing rooms, and vending machines are available in a nearby beach building. A nearby grassy area provides picnicking with tables and grills.
Beach Rules
- Organized groups require a special use permit for use of the swimming facilities.
- Children 6 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult while in the water.
- Swimmers are responsible for their own health and safety.
- Parents or guardians have a responsibility for children under their care.
- Children must be directly supervised by an adult.
- Visitors may not use the beach during non-operating hours.
- Alcoholic beverages, including 3.2 beer, are prohibited.
- The use of tobacco products is not allowed within 100 feet of the beach.
- Glass containers are not permitted.
- Coast Guard approved Types I, II, III, or V personal flotation devices are allowed but parents must be within arms reach.
- Parking allowed in designated lots only.
- Diapers must be covered with rubber/plastic pants.
Management reserves the right to ask a park patron to leave the beach area when rules are violated.
Swim Facility Group Information
Fishing Pier
A 100-foot, handicap accessible fishing pier is available Big Marine Park Reserve north of the swimming beach area. The facility is the only public fishing pier on the 1,800-acre Big Marine Lake and represents the best place to introduce children to the sport of fishing. Big Marine Lake is an excellent fishery with healthy populations of panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
Fishing poles and tackle are available at the park’s contact station. Simply stop by the building, check out the fishing equipment and let the fun begin. FIN fishing equipment is also available at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. The contact station also sells bait and fishing licenses.
17495 Manning Trail N.
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
Phone: 651-430-8200
Fax: 651-430- 8205
Located on Manning Trail (CSAH 15); 1/2 mile north of 170th Street (CSAH 4) in May Township.
- From State Highway 36, follow County Road 15 (Manning Avenue) to the north. Stay on County Road 15 for 12 miles (1/2 mile past 170th Street), then turn right into the park.
- From U.S. Highway 61, follow County Road 4 (170th Street North) to the east for 5 miles to County Road 15. Turn left (north) on County Road 15, then turn right into the park.
