Minnesota's nickname "the land of 10,000 lakes" is well earned. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources the state is home to 11,842 lakes larger than ten acres. Minnesota also has 6,564 rivers falling 69,200 miles. The majority of these waters are located in Northern Minnesota where you can camp on riverbanks and lakeshores at night and hike or canoe through the wild and scenic region during the day.
Voyagers National Park
Voyagers National Park, on Minnesota's northern border. The park has more than 200 campsites, not including the miles of wilderness open to backcountry camping. Voyagers is a water based park and its campsites are not different. A boat is necessary to reach any campsite in the park, all of which are set on the shores of the many lakes, including those that are hike-in sites. From your campsite you can explore the park's secluded forests and lakes, spending your time fishing, swimming, hiking or viewing wildlife.
Lake Superior Shoreline
Minnesota's Lake Superior shoreline stretches from Duluth in the South to Grand Portage in the North. Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay offers year round camping. The park features Shovel Point, a range of cliffs and bluffs on Lake Superior. Moving inland you can hike through the Sawtooth Mountains and around a series of inland lakes. The campground has electric hookups, rental cabins and indoor restroom and shower facilities.
In addition to Tettegouche, you can camp along the Lake Superior shore at Cascade River and George Crosby Manitou State Parks.
Waterfalls
A variety of state campgrounds in Minnesota offer riverside camping within hiking distance of scenic waterfalls. George Crosby Manitou State Park is located in a volcanic canyon where waterfalls cascade through hardwood forests. Camping at George Crosby is limited to hike-in sites between 1/2 and 4-1/2 miles from the parking area. The park's 21 sites are located on or near the Manitou River or Benson Lake.
You can also camp near waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls State Park, Judge C.R. Magney State Park and Temperance River State Park campgrounds.
Riverside Camping
Riverside campgrounds are available on rivers both big and small in Minnesota. The campground at Frontenac State Park overlooks the Mississippi River from a 450-foot high bluff. It has 48 campsites ranging from RV sites with electrical hookups to walk-in sites located 1/3 of a mile from the parking lot. Hiking trails connect the campground to the riverbank. Indoor showers and restrooms are available at the campground.
Other riverside camps include Snake River and Sturgeon River State Forest campgrounds.
Inland Lakes
Lakes throughout Minnesota offer fishing, swimming and exploring opportunities in wilderness surroundings. Lake Bemidji State Park campground is located on Lake Bemidji and near smaller surrounding lakes. The park has 91 sites including RV sites with electrical hookups and group sites for up to 50 people. Indoor Showers and Restrooms are available at the campground and beach area.
Inland lake campgrounds also include Father Hennepin, Zippel Bay and Lake Bronson State Parks.
Member Comments