Choose your own adventure at Minnesota State Parks and Trails.



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"March 2024"

Staying overnight in a state park is the perfect way to immerse yourself in nature

Are you ready to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and surround yourself with nature? Camping in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and create unforgettable memories with loved ones. However, planning a camping trip requires careful consideration to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a first-timer, we have tips to help you plan the perfect Minnesota camping adventure.

When choosing where to camp, consider factors such as location, amenities, activities, and accessibility. ParkFinder [ [link removed] ] is a great place to start in finding the best state park or recreation area for your needs. Trip planners can search by programs, things to see, camping or lodging types, bathroom facilities, recreation facilities, trail types or rental equipment offered. Whether it's a fire tower view, a swimming beach or an accessible campsite you're looking for, ParkFinder is the perfect place to start. 

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So many campsite options, what do they all mean?

Minnesota state parks and recreation areas offer many camping options. Ever wondered what each campsite type means? We're here to explain it all. 
a photo of a red tent at a drive-in campsite [ [link removed] ]

Drive-in campsites are convenient and easy, and allow for luxuries like bigger tents that you wouldn't carry to a backpack campsite. This campsite is at Wild River State Park.

Electric campsites at Shipwreck Creek Campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Drive-in: Electric and non-electric

These are great campsites to start with if you're new to camping. Pull up with your vehicle, unload and set up camp just a few feet away. 

The next question is whether to book an electric or non-electric campsite. If you're bringing an RV, sites with electric hook-ups are convenient, but they are also popular and sometimes difficult to find available reservations for. If you need power but there aren't electric campsites available at your preferred location, consider alternatives like solar chargers or battery packs for your electronics or medical devices.  

Group campsites

Group camps are ideal for family reunions, scout troops, church groups and others who want to set up multiple tents in close proximity to one another. Amenities vary, and some group campsites offer electric hook ups. Capacity ranges from 12 to 200 people, depending on location.  


A parent and a child each pull a cart of camping gear to a cart-in campsite.

Cart-in campsites offer convenient carts to carry your gear from your vehicle to your campsite, with a walk of a half mile or less.

Walk-in, cart-in and hike-in campsites

State parks and recreation areas offer a few backcountry camping options. While these campsites are perfect for solitude seekers, they do require a bit more work and planning and perhaps some specialty equipment. Backcountry camping in state parks fits into two basic categories. 

First, there are walk-in and cart-in campsites. These are good options for beginner backcountry campers, or those with young children, as these sites are within half a mile of parking. Some of the walk-in and cart-in sites are just a few hundred feet from parking. Cart-in sites provide carts to carry your gear.

The second category, and more challenging option, is a hike-in site. These are sometimes called backpack campsites, where you'll walk more than a half mile from the nearest parking. When packing for a stay at these campsites, you'll want to take a minimalist approach because you'll need to carry your gear from your vehicle to the campsite. Be sure to pack the essentials so you're safe, but leave the extras at home or in your vehicle.

Watercraft campsites

Watercraft campsites, also referred to as paddle-in or canoe campsites, are designed for use by paddlers and boaters. These are typically on state water trails, but there are few on lakes at some state parks, including Glendalough, Savana Portage and Rice Lake. 

Most watercraft camping [ [link removed] ] is available on a first come, first-served basis, with no reservations available. Use the interactive water trails map [ [link removed] ] to locate watercraft sites along state water trails. Be sure you're only stopping at designated campsites and remember that much of the shoreline is private property.

a group of horseback riders at Wild River State Park

Equestrian campsites are designed just for campers with horses, incuding amenities like hitching rails, high lines and manure bins.

a horse eats hay while tethered to a high line
Equestrian sites, designed for horses and their humans

Users of Minnesota's 1000+ miles of horse trails will be thrilled to know there are options to continue spending time with their horse once the ride is over.

Twelve Minnesota state parks offer campgrounds specially designed to accommodate horses and horse trailers [ [link removed] ]. In addition to amenities offered at other campgrounds, horse campgrounds have hitching rails or high lines and manure bins to serve the needs of campers with horses.  

Don't forget, riders over the age of 16 need a Horse Pass [ [link removed] ] to ride DNR-managed horse trails. The cost is $5 per day or $21 for the season, and revenue from the Horse Pass program supports maintenance and development of horse facilities and amenities like the equestrian campgrounds. 

There are important safety considerations for all state park visitors when it comes to horse camping. Be sure to keep young children and pets in control, and never approach a horse without first asking its owner. Be careful about where you park your vehicle near horse campers, as drivers need plenty of extra room to navigate campground roads with horse trailers. 



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Explore a park and become a Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book to earn a patch! Illustrated red fox peeks out from behind plants. [ [link removed] ]
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Tips for campsite reservations

Minnesota state parks and recreation areas offer roughly 5,000 campsites. Here's how to book the right one for you. 

Our advice for reserving campsites is to book early, and be flexible if you can’t book early.

Reservations for campsites and lodging in state parks and recreation areas can be made up to 120 days in advance. This means all of June and some of July are already within the reservation window. Reservations are in high demand for holiday weekends, campsites with electric hookups and at the most popular parks.

Reservations can be made online at mndnr.gov/reservations [ [link removed] ], or by phone at 866-857-2757. 

Looking to book that one "really amazing" campsite for a summer weekend at your favorite park? Odds are that other folks are looking to do the same. If reservations are full for your preferred location and dates, consider changing one element of your search criteria, such as a different park, a different date or a different type of campsite. Here are some tips:

screenshot of reservation website showing nearby place with reservations available
* Look for open reservations at less busy parks. There are more than 74 state parks and recreation areas across the state, and many of them always have camping reservations available. If your first choice park is full, use the ParkFinder [ [link removed] ] to find another location that will meet your needs. Another option is to look for campsites at a state park nearby your preferred park, which will show up as options in the online reservation system. 
* Consider a camping trip on weekdays instead of the busy weekends.
* Think about booking a non-electric campsite; they often have more availability. 
* If your location, dates and campsite type are non-negotiable, sign up for the “notify me” function on the reservation website to get notified by email if there’s a cancellation. Cancellations do occur regularly.


Cancel if your plans change. 

If you made a camping reservation and your plans have changed, you can cancel on the reservations website [ [link removed] ] or via phone at 866-857-2757. Campers who will not be able to use their reservation are strongly encouraged to cancel, not just to get a full or partial refund, but to open the camping opportunity to other campers. There is no cancellation fee if a reservation is canceled 14 or more days prior to the scheduled arrival.

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house ad for campground hosts [ [link removed] ]
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Great advice from the state parks camping community
screenshots of camping advice shared by followers of the Minnesota state parks and trails Facebook page

 

Many of our staff here at Minnesota state parks and trails love to camp, and if you ask for our best tips for camping in state parks, well, we could go on an on. We know a lot about camping, but we also know we're not the only ones with useful advice. There is a wealth of wisdom among the experienced campers of our state. A few times, we've asked our social media followers to share their camping tips. Read their advice on our Facebook channel:

Top tips for new campers [ [link removed] ]

Advice for camping with infants and young children [ [link removed] ]

Advice for your first camping trip [ [link removed] ]

If you're not yet following us on social media, be sure to subscribe on Facebook [ [link removed] ] and/or Instagram [ [link removed] ] for the latest news, tips, information and fan photos. 

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Section header reads ''naturalist events." Icon shows a calendar with a star.
State park events add fun to your camping trip

Park staff shares their knowledge with participants in state park events. There's a wide variety of programs offered; check the calendar [ [link removed] ] to see what's happening during your camping trip. 
A naturalists teaches program participants about fish of Minnesota

Kao Thao, an interpretive naturlist, teaches program participants about fish of Minnesota.

State park events are a great way to get to know more about the plants, wildlife, landscapes, ecosystems and even the night sky that you may see during your park visit. 

If a topic sounds interesting to you, but you're completely new to the activity or the topic, don't worry! Programs are designed for all experience levels, including novices.  

Most events are free, and most are open to all ages. Details for each event are listed in the online calendar [ [link removed] ], including whether or not advance registration is required. 

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ad for I Can Camp! programs [ [link removed] ]
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State forests also offer camping

Minnesota's state forests offer campgrounds too. Campsites in state forests are available on a first come, first served basis, making them a great option for people looking for a last-minute getaway. 

Camping in a state forest [ [link removed] ] is a more rustic experience than state park camping. There are no shower buildings or visitor centers, for example. Forest campgrounds are minimally staffed, with no ranger stations, so you'll need to come prepared with all the necessary supplies like firewood. 

The benefits to forest camping? State forest campgrounds tend to be less crowded and more quiet than state park campgrounds. You'll still have a picnic table, fire ring, and access to vault toilets. Most importantly, you'll have a wide range of recreational activities like hiking, biking, fishing and wildlife viewing to keep you busy. Some state forests also offer specialized trails for horseback and off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding. In some campgrounds, OHV riders are even able to access trails directly from their campsite.

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Find your path with a career at DNR
A Parks and Trails Associate helps a visitor in the ranger station at Itasca State Park

Providing information to park visitors is an important task handled by park staff.

Looking for the perfect summer job? We're hiring at Minnesota state parks and trails! It's more than a job, DNR staff helps millions of visitors each year have unforgettable experiences at state parks and trails and pass along a love for the outdoors.

New in 2024!

Apply to multiple state parks with one application. Positions are posted by DNR Region and individual locations are listed in these regional job postings. Applicants will select locations they have interest in, and be notified when a position becomes available.

Find seasonal hiring information and apply today [ [link removed] ]!

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Construction projects to impact several state park campgrounds in 2024

Lake Bronson, Sibley and William O'Brien state parks will undergo construction this year, temporarily impacting camping. 

Lake Bronson Dam

DNR is preparing to replace the aging dam at Lake Bronson State Park [ [link removed] ]. Construction will get underway in summer 2024 and last 18 to 24 months. While some recreation opportunities will remain available, visitors planning to hike, boat or camp at Lake Bronson State Park should be aware that the lake will be drawn down, making water recreation unavailable for much of the project's timeline. Some trail closures will occur, and campers may hear construction noise. Learn more at the dam replacement project webpage [ [link removed] ]. 



A shower building in the Lakeview Campground at Sibley State Park

The Lakeview Campground at Sibley State Park [ [link removed] ] is closed for the 2024 camping season. The new-and-improved campground will reopen in 2025. At completion, the redeveloped campground will better meet the needs of visitors through improved roadways, larger campsites and updated historic buildings that meet current building standards and accessibility guidelines. The Oak Ridge and equestrian campgrounds remain open. Learn more at the Lakeview Campground project webpage [ [link removed] ]. 



Drawing of a new picnic shelter that will be built at the Day Use Area in William O'Brien State Park

An accessibility improvement project is underway at William O'Brien State Park [ [link removed] ]. This project includes facility upgrades that will make the park more accessible to visitors with disabilities, and will provide updated amenities for all park visitors to enjoy. 

The Riverway Campground, Riverside Trail and Mondale Day Use Area are closed until early 2025. This includes the swimming beach and boat landing on Lake Alice. The Savanna Campground remains open. Learn more at the project webpage [ [link removed] ]. 



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Explore. Get rewards. Join the club! Minnesota State Parks and Trails Passport Club. [ [link removed] ]
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Pack and Pedal

three bikers on a state trail, packed with gear for camping [ [link removed] ]

Follow three friends on a low-impact, low-budget, low-bother bike camping trip from the Twin Cities to William O'Brien State Park. Full story [ [link removed] ].

""*"Minnesota Conservation Volunteer "is a print magazine dedicated to Minnesota’s wild places and creatures. For more stories, visit mnDNR.gov/MCV [ [link removed] ] or subscribe [ [link removed] ].*""

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