SAINT PAUL, Minn. — So, you want to do some Fourth of July camping, but you don't have a spot? First thing, they’re still out there, but you need lower your expectations a little bit.
The DNR is currently at 86% occupancy when it comes to state park campsites.
That means about 14% of their sites are still open to last minute campers.
The prime spots, the ones everyone wants, those are long gone, they were booked weeks, if not months ago.
Also, spots for an RV, those are mostly gone too, along with sites with electricity and water.
That means you're going to have to do it old school, as in campfires and tents.
"We have 75 state parks and probably about 20 state parks have some openings this weekend," DNR Visitor Services Manager Rachel Hopper says.
If you're open to a quick overnight stay, say on Thursday or Friday night, you have a lot of choices, say at places like Afton State Park in Hastings, William O'Brien on the St. Croix River, and Lake Maria State Park in Monticello, all are within about hour’s drive from downtown Minneapolis.
But if you're looking to stay all three nights you'll probably have to drive a little further.
A quick pro tip, look south.
"People tend to think, go north when it's the holiday or any kind of weekend in the summer, but we have a lot of gems in the southern region," Hopper says.
The DNR has a search tool on its website you can use to find the few remaining camp sites in their system.
You can also search activities and events, which are still open to daily visitors, even if you’re not spending the night.
“We have a lot of special 4th of July themed events this weekend people can go to,” Hopper says.
A day-pass at most state parks will cost you $7, or you can buy an annual pass for $35 that will get you and the whole family into any state park all year long.
“The camp sites will then range in price from $15 to $25, and then you add on a little bit more if you’re getting water and electricity,” Hopper says.
Besides state parks, you can also check county and private campsites.
We called around and a few still have spots available.
Including, Cleary Lake, Baker Park Reserve, Lake Elmo, Rice Creek, Minneapolis KOA, Carver Park and the Apple River Hideaway in Wisconsin.
All of these campsites are within an hour drive of the Twin Cities metro and all of them still had spots available as of Tuesday night.
It’s also important to keep in mind fireworks are not allowed at state parks, even the ones that are legal here in Minnesota.
If you’re not able to get a campsite this weekend, remember, there’s always Labor Day weekend.
The DNR recommends booking your campsite now, because the popular spots are already filling up.