Stearns County, MN Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ordinance No. 696, § 3
- Default status
- Open year-round; hours set by resolution
- After-hours access
- Requires a Director-issued permit (§ 3.2)
- Vehicle risk
- Towed/impounded after closing (§ 14.10)
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under § 20.1(b)
- Enforcement
- Park Director staff and Stearns County Sheriff
Summary
Stearns County parks are open year-round, but each park closes at an hour the County Board fixes by resolution and reopens the next morning. Anyone in a park during closed hours without a Director-issued permit violates Ordinance No. 696, the county's Parks Ordinance, and faces a misdemeanor enforced by the Sheriff and Park Director staff.
3. PARK HOURS Stearns County parks shall be open year-round. 3.1 Exceptions: 3.1(a) Stearns County Parks may be closed by order of the Director when road conditions, fire hazards, training, restricted hunting, emergencies or weather conditions require temporary closing. 3.12(b) Open hours for County Parks will be set by Board Resolution. 3.2 The use of parks during periods in which they are closed may be had only by permit, specifically allowing use between closing hour and opening hour the following morning, issued by the Director. 3.3 No one is permitted to be in a park except between opening hour and closing hours, except as provided in 3.2.
Full Breakdown
Stearns County Ordinance No. 696, the county's Parks Ordinance, sets closing hours for every county park rather than leaving the question to informal practice. 12(b) hands the actual opening and closing clock to the County Board, which fixes hours by resolution for each park individually, so posted hours can differ from Quarry Park & Nature Preserve to Chain of Lakes County Park. 1(a) lets the Park Director close a park early or entirely when road conditions, fire hazards, training exercises, a restricted hunt, or an emergency or weather event requires it, on top of the nightly closing hour.
3 makes the rule enforceable: no one may be inside a park except between the posted opening and closing hours. 2, a Director-issued permit that specifically authorizes use between closing and the following morning's opening, for uses such as an overnight group event or an early fishing opener. 10 backs the curfew with a towing remedy: a vehicle left in a park after posted closing hours, or parked outside a designated lot, may be impounded at the owner's cost unless the owner holds a Director permit. 2.
Violations & Fines
Being in a Stearns County park outside posted hours without a Director permit is a misdemeanor under Ordinance No. 696 § 20.1(b), the general penalty clause covering any violation other than the tobacco/e-cigarette provisions, which are petty misdemeanors. A vehicle left past closing may also be towed and impounded at the owner's expense under Section 14.10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Stearns County parks close?
Can I stay in a Stearns County park after closing?
What happens if my car is still in the lot after closing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stearns County
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