Was looking to do more dispersed/"" backcountry"" camping this year. Any recommendations in Minnesota for that

My buddies and I are wanting to get a small backcountry cabin/shelter that we hike in with packs and then stay at a few nights. I’m talking no power, electricity, nothing, just wood shelter from the elements. I’ve struggled to find anything online so I’m wondering if you guys may know of any options? Thanks!

Looking to camp a few days near Duluth this summer and saw Spirit Mountain has a campground. Has anyone stayed there and what’s the atmosphere like? Is it a party and noisy, or more relaxed and quiet?

Background info: During summer break with my kids I pick a theme for each week and we do activities/day trips under that theme. This year one of the themes is homesteading week. I want to incorporate some living history by visiting a historical farm but also live like we're on a homestead for a few days (in a fun relaxed way, we're not going for historical accuracy here) which leads me to my question for this sub:

Where are the best camper cabins in state parks for a couple of elementary school kids to pretend to be on a homestead on a prairie for a few days?

We tent camp a fair amount, but I've only used camper cabins in the winter. Sibley looks promising because the cabins are a little more secluded and not plopped in the main campground. Any other suggestions?

My grandma had this memory of looking out at the prairie in bloom with blue flowers and imagining that when the wind swept the grasses it must be what the waves on the ocean looked like. If anyone has any ideas on where/when I could see a similar scene (or a better sub to ask in) I'd be incredibly grateful!

Thanks you all and happy summer planning!!

Hi all. This spring I am doing a camping road trip around the Midwest. I am starting it in Jay Cooke State park and want to do one more stop in Minnesota before I move on to Iowa. That being said I need recommendations for great hiking and camping spots between the twin cities and the Iowa border.

Some things you should know:

I prefer state parks. I will be camping with my dog, so only dog friendly campgrounds and hiking trails. I am a photographer and would prefer more scenic trails. I only have a day for each place.

Thank you in advance!

I am continuing my projecting of staying at all state parks within 60 miles of my house (long term goal 100 but that doubles the list) and I think I'm going to do frontenac and william obrien next years. Anyone have the inside scoop on the best sites for car camping?

Mainly, Finland area and Sawbill area. Anybody been up there in the last week or so? Trying to get out for a camp maybe this weekend but I'm a little hesitant to venture up there if the roads are glare ice. I was over in Brule State Forest in WI last weekend and you could barely drive on the roads back there, straight up ice. You could actually skate on them if you wanted. Also, I totaled my truck on some black ice off the Gunflint last year so trying to avoid that scenario again if possible.

My family will be riding the Mississippi River Trail in late spring. Plan to ship our bicycles to a local shop ( for assembly ) then fly in the week after. We hope to find some service to pick us up & bicycles somewhere in St. Paul and drop us off at Itasca SP. We plan a multi-day ride, end up back in St Paul, drop off our bikes for shipping back, and head home.

Anybody know of options to get 4 folks + bikes from somewhere near the airport to Itasca?

Edit : I"m looking for a one way trip to the SP.

I have an informal tradition of doing a nice day hike on New Years Day. I'm thinking about doing the trails at Whitewater SP but would love to know if the trails there are muddy/icy right now?

Has anyone rented the Head of the Rapids Group Center at St Croix State Park? I’m considering it for a wedding and it looks perfect!

My search engine skills failed me. When does the DNR turn on water at state parks in spring?

We’re looking at camping in the southern part of the state in April.

Edit: Beaver Creek Valley SP got back to me and the shower house should have the water turned on April 1st. Water spigots in camp depends on the spring weather.

Hi everyone,

As a child I was in Cub scouts and went all over this wonderful state of ours camping with my troop. One memory that really sticks out to me is a trip we took to a cave. I know it was pretty dang warm in it and it was open during the fall. I know it had bats in the caves, but not near the sections were we slept.The entire group of us slept in an open area in the cave and there were other sections for exploring. One of the craziest things is they had a ton of paths that you squeezed/crawled through. Thinking back on it today it feels completely irresponsible to let kids do this, but with only a childhood memory of the place. It could have been a lot safer than my scared child mind remembers.

I have always wanted to look the place up and talk about with folks about it. The only problem is, I can't remember anything identifiable about the place. I was definitely too young to care about remembering the name and my family doesn't even remember going in the first place.

So I am wondering, does anyone know of a place in Minnesota that fits this description? I was there some time between 1998 to 2003 with a bunch of Cub scouts.

Just curious. When is the earliest you personally would camp in the spring in Minnesota?

I'm looking for information about the typical flow rate of the St Croix from the Railroad Crossing to William OBrien. Is it generally feasible to kayak that stretch in both directions? I'm a 60yr old recreational kayaker.

I've got two days available to go hiking on the SHT this weekend, and was curious if anyone has any favorite spots between Two Harbors and Silver Bay?

Ive done most if not all of the sections from Jay Cooke up to Normanna Rd or the boring northern Duluth parts, but I also want to stick fairly close to home in Duluth because my car has been acting up a bit, so I dont want to go all the way up to Grand Marais or anything.

Looks like it'd be somewhere fun to camp, But I don't know anybody who's gone camping there

looking to see if anyone knows any good free personal camping spots in the southwest metro. just disperse camping I have all the gear I just want to take my dog out for a night or two to a cool spot maybe on a lake and have a fire and then clean up and head out. legal or not lol

I want to camp at this campground this weekend, it is called Ann Lake campground and it is under Sherburne, I am trying to find a place to reserve but I cannot find anything. Is it free to go there or am I missing something?

I want to take a seven-day road trip around Minnesota and neighboring states to visit serene rivers, forests, and all Minnesota offers. I know I'd like to visit Taylor's Falls, but I need recommendations on other spots around the state that would be good for journaling and reflection. I'm down for backpacking and car camping all the same. Would love to be able to hike some to occupy my time and if you know any spots for beginner climbers that would be awesome.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Fellow Minnesotans, how late into fall do you guys still tent camp? Or how many of you continue the adventure with winter camping? What is your fall camping set up? Essential gear, favorite items, sleep system etc. I have gone out a handful of times this fall but am begining to hesitate in the colder weather with tent/ sleeping bag condensation. Do you guys ever forgo the tent and set up in the car to avoid condensation issues? Let's discuss!

My husband and I are looking to camp along the North Shore for about a week starting on July 3. We are wanting to have a home base and will travel to other other locations and state parks along the way. We are thinking of trying to get space at Tettegouche or Temperance River but with it being holiday season we know sites will fill fast. We are tent campers and will have a 13' diameter bell tent. While I used to live near Ely, I know a lot of things have changed. What would other options be for good camping that I haven't thought of?

I know i made a similar post yesterday. But My buddy and I want to backpack one more time this year. any good lakes that is north of Duluth that has a camp ground on the shoreline basically? We are willing to drive up to grand portage if need be. But wouldn’t mind something a little south of grand portage. But idk if the weather will permit it ; we’ll see.