r/MinnesotaCamping

I love state parks. I love camping in state parks. I absolutely hate that they still allow smoking in public areas in state parks. All the camping spots around us lit up and smoked all night and again all morning. There was only a light breeze and it was just thick.
This afternoon, at the beach, we’re just surrounded by smokers. I can smell it on my clothes.

I know that everyone gets to do what they want, and people get to make their own choices. But it’s just gross. 🤢

/rant

I am sharing here my Google Maps review of this site as it is a newer site for which I could find few pictures or reviews prior to visiting with my own family. I am hopeful that others looking for that information will find this useful.

We stayed at Boat-in Site #1 for five days. This is a newer site having been created within the last year.

Paddling from the fishing pier to the site took about 20 minutes. We rented a rowboat for the first and final days as we ported our gear in and out. We rented a canoe for the remaining days. The rowboat is slower than a canoe, but nice for moving a large quantity of gear. The canoe is quicker and easier to maneuver.

We slapped our dog's high-visibility lifejacket on the landing sign for, ya know, visibility.

This is looking back from the landing to the final approach over water to the site. As noted in the text of the post, it is a bit of a challenge to navigate.

The final approach to the site by water is a bit of a challenge with many submerged stumps and logs to navigate. A small, brown sign marks the landing.

This site is slightly uphill from the other site. Despite there being two tent pads, this is technically a single site. We camp with a massive tent, so it is safe to say it can accommodate tents of most any size.

There is a very brief hike to the site itself. There are spaces for two tents with a picnic area with a table and fire ring between. One of the sites is smaller than the other. The larger site accommodated our very large tent. There is also a bear locker and an uncovered vault toilet nearby.

Bugs were mostly kept in check by consistent cross-breezes. We were surprised that neither our dog, ourselves, nor our three children turned up with a single tick despite plenty of running around in the brush.

Ample shade in the maple stand that rings the sites kept things cool at all hours.

There is undoubtedly an investment in time getting into the site, compared to more developed drive-up sites, but it was made well worth it over our five-day stay.

There's an alert on the Gooseberry park page about the seasonal closure of "the lower campground shower building." But on the map I only see a "main campground" and "Group Camps." What is considered the lower campground?

The kids and I are headed up to the north shore for some camping and I'm wondering how the bug are right now. We were in Itasca 2 weekends ago and there weren't many mosquitos yet. Are they bad up in the Lutsen/Duluth area now?

I have been thinking about lot lately about people who want a quieter camping experience and people who not find that as necessary. I wonder what it would look like if state parks had a loop for quiet camping- for solo, older, or neurodivergent campers. Granted there is no way to get rid of all noise in a state park but it certainly would be helpful for people who want a peaceful camping experience. Thoughts?

Also, when commenting let's avoid the "if you don't like it go elsewhere attitude"....its not helpful and this is a thought not a complaint.

Hello, rather new to camping as an adult and am finding out the hard way just how far in advance you have to book a site at most places. I knew that the holiday weekends and a few others would probably book out pretty far in advance, but, wow, it's pretty slim pickings for so many weekends throughout the season.

Anyhow, in my browsing of different places to camp, I came across a few that had first come, first served campsites that I am tempted to try out, but was hoping to hear from some others on their experience with them. Specifically, how hard was it to get a site? Have you had better luck on certain days of the week versus others? Have you ever driven all the way out only to find they are full?

Any tips, tricks, back up plans, lessons learned, or favorite places are both welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

A buddy and I are trying to plan a camping trip (hike in, RTT, standard camping) to the north shore for this coming labor day weekend. We're noticing that most of the reservations are all taken for at least one night. Can we rely on dispersed for that specific weekend or is it likely to be all taken? We're planing to drive up Thursday after work and find a decent spot on the south edge for the first night and then head farther in. We've got until Monday to be back in the twin cities. Any tips or hints are welcome. Thanks!

Anyone know where I can camp in my truck for a few nights in the superior national forest area (preferably away from people and near a lake)

Title kinda says it all, but I'm looking to stay north of the twin cities. I'd like to drive-in to the site, but would apprciate some easy to moderate off-roading, anything from logging roads to rutted dirt trails (for reference, I have a Volvo Cross Country). I do not want to hike in, I'd be willing to do a short cart in if I can still get the car dirty on the way. Also some privacy would be nice. Avoiding children is a big plus. Thanks in advance!