[2] Fort Defiance State Park is open for year-round recreation including picnicking, hiking, and camping.

After the 1862 conflict began, the Iowa Legislature authorized “not less than 500 mounted men from the frontier counties at the earliest possible moment, and to be stationed where most needed”, this number was soon reduced.

No fighting took place in Iowa, the Dakota uprising led to the rapid expulsion of the few unassimilated Native Americans left there.

[5][6] Fort Defiance was built in 1862 at a time when 40% of the male population of Emmet County was away and fighting for the Union Army during the American Civil War.

A local newspaper describes the level of use of the campground as being "constant" and has noted an increase in rentals of the lodge for large group functions.