Dakota County, MN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Ordinance No. 2 permits certain alcoholic beverages only in designated park areas: reserved campground or camper cabin sites, trailheads, swimming beaches (no glass bottles allowed there), picnic areas, or other spots the Park Director expressly designates. Outside those zones, possessing or consuming even a single-serving drink is unlawful. Park Rangers or staff may demand valid ID from anyone who appears underage, and every visitor who plans to drink must be able to produce one. Bringing in alcohol in kegs, barrels, or more than a single case of 24 prepackaged single-serving beverages requires a Special Use Permit (SUP) issued by the Park Director.

Selling or serving alcohol in a park always requires a SUP or concessionaire agreement, and any sale must also comply with the liquor licensing rules of the city where that particular park sits. The ordinance separately makes it unlawful to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the point of intoxication, loss of motor skills, or a condition that could injure the person or affect other visitors. Enforcement falls to designated Park employees, who can order a violator to leave, and to local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the park property, who can also enforce state law violations occurring on county park land.