10 Places For Camping In Minnesota State Parks

When it comes to Camping In Minnesota State Parks, one can never miss Whitewater State Park.

It is a stretch of the Whitewater River surrounded by rocky bluffs and is preserved in the Whitewater State Park in Minnesota, the United States.

This campground is in southern Minnesota in Winona County driftless area of the state. In the spring-fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek with scenic overlooks and trout fishing, the park is a 2700-acre. 

Numerous limestone trailheads are scattered throughout the park, providing hikers with plenty of scenic views to enjoy. Camping is popular in this park with four camping spots and plenty of parking spaces.

As per their preferences, visitors can choose their campsites from open, grassy areas, to wooded, secluded sites. There are many varieties of campsites to choose from the sites also.

Highlights of the Park:

• Visitor Center
• Spectacular Spring Wildflowers
• Trout Fishing in Summer and Winter
• Rugged hiking trails to scenic Bluffland
• Interpretive Programs throughout the year

Features of the Park:

• Camping is accessible to people with disabilities
• Facilities of Group Camp
• In winter hookups are available
• Secluded Campsites
• The facilities of flush toilets, sanitary dump stations, and hot showers are also available.

Types of Campsites:

• Number of Camping Cabins: 4
• Total number of Campsites: 105
• Camping Cabins accessible in Winter: 4

Things to do at the Park:

• Swimming
• Hiking
• Fishing 
• Camping
• Picnicking
• Amenities

Spring Updates:

• During the winter and spring months, the park trails are not maintained and can be muddy. Visitors should be prepared for slippery conditions and use caution.

Fees and Opening Time For The Park:

• $35 annual, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

One of the most beautiful state parks in Minnesota is Tettegouche State Park. It is situated on camping Minnesota north shore and offers stunning views of Lake Superior.

The park contains six inland lakes, four waterfalls, and a beach on Lake Superior and is 9346 acres. The park is perfect for visitors who love nature as it has over 20 miles of hiking trails.

One of the most popular attractions at the park is the 60-foot-tall High Falls. This waterfall flows into Lake Superior and is located on the Baptism River. Visitors can access the falls by following the river from the park’s main entrance. Meeting at the top of the hike takes about 45 minutes and is about 1.5 miles.

The park contains several camping areas. They offer several camping options. The Tettegouche Camp features four hike-to cabins and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Highlights of the Park:

• Waterfalls
• Wildlife/Peregrine Falcons

Features of the Park:

• Free Electric Vehicle Charging Station
• 24 hours a day Restrooms and vending machines are available
• An outdoor fireplace plaza
• Sunlit lobby with an interpretive area
• Campsites with and without electric hookups
• Group Camp Facilities
• Scheduled Campsites
• Snowshoes available
• A heated building is open year-round with flush toilets and showers
• At the park entrance, year-round firewood can be purchased.

Types of Campsites:

• Total number of campsites: 48
• Campsites available in winter: 12
• Number of tent-only sites: 20
• Tent-only sites available in winter: 6

Things to do at the Park:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Rock Climbing
• Cross-Country Skiing

Fees and Opening Time of the Park:

• The park permits $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.

• The park is open 9 am-4 pm daily with extended hours in the summer.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is a state park in Minnesota that is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. In the United States, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses.

In 1910 it was built by the United States Lighthouse Service and is now a National Historic Landmark. For hiking, cross-country skiing, and bicycling the park provides a cart-in campground and scenic trails and is 2,200 acres.

The Superior Hiking Trail allows hikers to explore the entire north shore of Lake Superior. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes as well.

The park has a unique cart-in campground with 20 secluded campsites and a modern restroom. Campers use two-wheeled carts provided by the park to carry their equipment a short distance to their site and leave their vehicles in a parking area.

Highlights of the Park:

• Waterfalls
• Lake Superior Shoreline and Scenic Views
• Historic Lighthouse tours from the History Center
• Split Rock Wilds mountain bike trail access

Features of the Park:

• In the new Shipwreck Creek Campground, there is a facility for Drive-in electric sites.
• Lodge/Central Building
• Pets allowed in the campsite
• Hot showers in Campground
• Flush Toilets in Campground
• Rustic cart-in and backpack campsites

Types of Campsites:

• Total number of campsites: 24
• Campsites available in winter: 10
• Number of tent-only sites: 24
• Tent-only sites available in winter: 10

Things to do at the Park:

• Bicycling
• Hiking
• Cross-country skiing
• Camping
• Play on Pebble Beach
• Catch up with different park events

Fees and Opening Time for the Park:

• The park permits $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily.
• The park is open from Sunday – Saturday from 8:00 am- 10:00 pm.

Banning State Park is a state park in Minnesota, USA. The Kettle River near Sandstone in Pine Country, the park is extended over 10 miles.

To a flourishing sandstone quarry once the park was home and now is known for its scenery and educational opportunities.

There are popular hiking routes where hikers can walk along with interpretative signs and sandstone quarry ruins close to rugged river banks that commence on the Quarry Loop Trail. Visitors to the park can climb the sandstone cliffs, hike on the sprawling trails, and paddle in the rapids.

From primitive backcountry camping to modern campsites the park offers a variety of camping options for visitors. Up to 150 people each can be accommodated there in the four group campgrounds. The park has over 20 miles of backcountry trails to explore if you are looking for a more secluded camping experience.

Highlights of the Park:

• Kettle River
• Historic Sandstone Quarry
• Wolf Creek Falls

Features of the Park:

• Hookups available in winter
• Scheduled Campsites
• Hot showers in Campground

Types of Campsites:

• Number of camping cabins: 1
• Total number of campsites: 33
• Campsites available in winter: 4

Things to do at the Park:

• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Climbing
• Camping
• Fishing

Fees and Opening Time for the Park:

• The park permits $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• Group Camp is $50/night. The drive-in and walk-in campsites are $17/night.
• Daily camping maximum rates are $32 and the daily camping minimum is $24.
• In this park, camping is available from 1st May to 31st October. On a first-come, first-served basis there are 36 drive-in and two hike-in available in the campsites. And, it is open every day from 8 AM-10 PM.

Lake Maria State Park is a state park in Minnesota, United States. The conveniences of the park are designed especially for horseback riders, hikers, and backpackers.

In 1963 the park was established and is in the west of the city of Monticello. It does not have a traditional drive-in campground. Cabins are scattered throughout the park instead, with 17 backpacking sites and three camper.

Blanding’s turtle is easily identified by bright yellow spots on its shell in Lake Maria State Park as it is home to them. A favorite time for hikers and horseback riders in this beautiful park is in the fall. The large trail center is characterized by wildflower paintings by a local artist.

Highlights of the Park:

• Endangered Blandings Turtle
• Spring Wildflowers
• Nesting Osprey and Eagles

Features of the Park:

• Secluded Backpack Campsites
• Solar-powered lighting and water-pumping facilities
• Passive Solar heating at Visitor Center
• Group camp facilities

Things to do at the Park:

• Hiking
• Camping 
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Horse riding
• Fishing

Types of Campsites:

• Number of Camping Cabins: 3
• Number of camping cabins available in winter:3
• Total  number of Campsites:17
• Total number of campsites available in winter:17

Fees and Opening Time for the Park:

• Park permits: $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• The park is open daily from Sunday-Friday at 8 am to 10 pm.

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is a Minnesota State Park on Mileew Lacs Lake which is also known as Kathio Site. It is a park with a wooded trail system that is awesome for hikers, snowshoers, and others.

It is one of the most significant archaeological collections in Minnesota and the park consisted of 19 identified archaeological sites. The park is full of rolling hills and trails where you can take in the lake, or you can climb the park’s 100-foot observation/fire tower for a birds-eye view.

Here, visitors can explore the area’s history of Dakota and French explorers on the Landmark Trail and Trail Through Time.

Highlights of the Park:

• Nature Programs
• 100 Ft. Observation Tower
• Historic Sites
• Snapshot Virtual Tour
• Council Ring
• Tamarack Bog in Fall

Features of the Park:

• Camping accessible to people with disabilities
• Group camp facilities
• Hookups available in winter
• Hot showers in the campground
• Lodge/central building
• Pets allowed in the campsite
• Secluded campsites

Things to do at the Park:

• Camping
• Swimming
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Fishing
• Playgrounds
• Canoes or Kayaks available
• Boating 

Types of Campsites:

• Number of Camping Cabins: 5
• Camping Cabins available in winter: 5
• Total number of Campsites: 84
• Sites in horseback Camp area: 10

Fees and Opening Time of the Park:

• The park permits $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• It is open every day from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Bear Head Lake State Park is a state park in Minnesota, United States. It is the home to black bears, nesting eagles, timber wolves, and moose and is scheduled in the Northwoods.

The park shares a similar wilderness quality as south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Moreover, making a canoeing and fishing paradise this northern forest park is dotted with lakes. Its easy access is an attraction if you’re looking for the feeling of a remote wilderness getaway.

Making it a great option for a weekend road trip in Minnesota the park is about 4 hours north of the Twin Cities. The park was established in 1961 and contains over 5600 acres.

Visitors have the opportunity to see signs of Martin, fisher, bald eagles, wolves, black bears, moose, and more while hiking along the miles of hiking trails. Additionally, visitors will also find the park’s lakes appealing.

Highlights of the Park:

• Pristine Lake
• Stands of red pine and white trees tower
• Bear head and four smaller lakes

Things to do at the Park:

• Boating
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Paddling
• Camping
• Explore a winter wonderland
• Camp out in a camper cabin
• Watch a wildlife
• Explore the trail center

Features of the Park:

• Camping accessible to people with disabilities
• Electric
• Flush toilets in the campground
• Group camp facilities
• Hot showers in the campground
• Pets allowed in the campsite
• Sanitary dump station
• Secluded campsites
• Can accommodate groups of 45 or more

Types of Campsites:

• Number of camping cabins: 5
• Total number of Campsites: 73
• Camping cabins available in winter: 5

Fees and Opening time of the Park:

• Park permits fees of $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• The park is open year-round. Hours may differ with the seasons.

Itasca State Park contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River and is a state park in Minnesota, United States. It is the first Minnesota State Park and the second oldest in the US.

From northern Minnesota, the park spans 32,690 acres and is located about 21 miles from Bagley, Minnesota. The park is part of the Outwash Plains Ecological Subsection and Minnesota’s Pine Moraines. It was established on 20 April 1891. Annually around 500000 people visit this park.

In the summertime, there are trails to bike and hike, a fire tower to climb, and acres of majestic pine forest. Giving the park a magical autumn glow fall colors start to creep in that simply needs to be seen in person in mid-September.

By December, the snow will start to fly and we will be talking about snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through the park. The visitor centers and the park are open year-round.

Highlights of the Park:

• Historic Site
• Fire Tower
• Mary Gibbs Visitor Center
• Drive on Wildnerness Drive
• Aiton Heights Observation Tower
• Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary

Things to do in the Park:

• Enjoy the wildlife
• Hiking
• Boating
• Bicycle rental
• Bike trail
• Canoes or kayaks available
• Cross-country ski trail (groomed)
• Fishing boat motors available
• Fishing boats available
• Swimming

Features of the Park:

• Secluded Campsites
• Hookups available in winter
• Camping accessible to people with disabilities
• Electric facilities
• Hot showers in Campground
• Sanitary dump in Campsite
• Proper management of maintained washrooms in the campground

Types of Campsites:

• Number of campsites: 237
• Campsites available in winter: 12
• Number of tent-only sites: 22

Fees and Opening Time for the Park:

• Park Permits: $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Maplewood State Park is a state park in Minnesota, United States. The park was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The park is 9,250 acres in Otter Tail County and is located in the leaf mountains. It is known for its hardwood trees which provide a display of fall colors each year.

Providing many scenic overlooks the park is on a series of hills that can make some of the trails challenging. A self-guided 5-mile drive can be taken by visitors to view its progress.

Highlights of the Park:

• Best Camping Spots
• Hiking Club Trail
• Bass Lake Loop
• Grass Lake from Sugar Shack
• Hallaway Hill
• Star loop

Features of the Park:

• The park features eight major lakes and many ponds.
• To observe the wildlife drive along the scenic route.

Things to do at the Park:

• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback Trails
• Snowmobile Trail
• Horse Camping
• Dock space/slips/mooring buoys

Types of Campsites:

• Total  number of Campsites: 71
• Campsites available in winter: 4

Fees and Opening Time for the Park:

• Park permits: $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• Sunday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Located in the heart of the glacial lakes area Glacial Lakes State Park is a beautiful park. For those who love nature and want to get away from it, this park is perfect.

To preserve some of the prairies the park was founded in 1963. The park and the area around it contain many glacial landforms created by the Wisconsin glaciation. It is located in the Leaf Mountains.

The 62-mile-long trail that winds through some of the most beautiful areas of the park is the home to the Glacial Lakes Trail. There are plenty of primitive campsites scattered throughout the park if you are looking for a more rustic camping experience.

Highlights of the Park:

• Kettle Lake
• Parks’s Wetlands
• Widespread Prairie
• Oak forests, hills, and plains

Things to do at the Park:

• Camping
• Fishing
• Horseback riding trails
• Bike trail
• Canoes or Kayaks available
• Snowmobile trail
• Swimming
• Boating

Features of the Park:

• Scheduled and supervised Children’s Programs
• Accessible to people with disabilities
• Can accommodate groups of 45 or more
• Hot showers in the campground
• Pets allowed in the campsite
• Pull-through sites
• Sanitary dump station
• Secluded campsites
• Facilities of group camp
• Park Office

Types of Campsites:

• Total number of campsites: 41
• Number of Camping Cabins: 6
• Sites in horseback camp area: 8
• Camping cabins available in winter: 4

Fees and Opening Time for the Park:

• Park Permits: $35 annually, $ 26-second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.
• Park Open: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

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