ST PAUL, Minn. — By definition, camping seems like a fairly simple activity. The Cambridge dictionary breaks it down to "the act of staying and sleeping in an outside area for one or more days and nights, usually in a tent."
In execution, there's a lot more to it... which may be why some who are intrigued by the notion of camping have never slept anywhere but under a solid roof.
Consider this an attempt to change that. With help from our friends at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), KARE is whipping together a 2024 Camping Guide, with resources and advice on how to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embrace the state's amazing locales in an organized and semi-civilized way.
Where should I go?
While there are plenty of private campgrounds, Minnesota has an amazing array of state parks and recreation areas offering more than 5,000 campsites from Lake Louise State Park near LeRoy (southeastern Minnesota, .5 miles from Iowa state line) to Zippel Bay State Park on Lake of the Woods (far Northwest).
Each park or recreational area offers a unique combination of features (bathroom and shower facilities, trails, water access, etc.) and access. Here are a few of the site options.
Drive-in: These are the most popular, and easiest for new campers to navigate. Pull in your vehicle, unload and set up, and let the fun start. There are electric sites for those using campers and RVs, and non-electric if you're tenting and opting for a more simple operation.
Walk-in, cart-in or hike-in campsites: While a great option for more experienced campers seeking a touch more solitude, these sites require a bit more effort, planning and in some cases, lighter and/or specialized equipment. Walk-in or cart-in sites are within a half mile of parking, and the cart option makes it easier to carry gear.
Hike-in sites can be a bit more challenging, requiring campers to tote gear and supplies more than a half mile. When packing for a stay at a "backpack" site, the DNR advises adventurers to take a minimalist approach, packing only essentials to stay fed and safe while leaving extras at home or in the vehicle.
Watercraft campsites: Also referred to by the DNR as paddle-in or canoe campsites, these are mostly located on state water trails but can also be found on a few lakes within state parks.
Group campsites: Group campsites, as one would expect, are spaces designed for family reunions, scouting or church groups, or any other collection of campers who want to set up multiple tents close to each other. Site capacity ranges from 12 to 200 people, and amenities vary by location. Some have electrical hookups.
Horse campsites: Twelve of Minnesota's State Parks have camping areas specially designed to accommodate horses and horse trailers. They also have hitching rails to tie up horses and manure bins to keep sites tidy. These facilities provide access to more than 1,000 miles or horse trails connected to state parks.
Reserving a site
Now that you've checked out site options, how do you reserve one? Easy... either log on to the Minnesota DNR camping reservation webpage or call 866-857-2757. A reservation can be made up to 120 days in advance, but be advised... weekends and holidays tend to book up fast (especially in the prime months of June, July and August) as do electrical sites and those at the most popular state parks in the system.
Having trouble finding open sites? The DNR advises using ParkFinder to look for open less busy state parks near the one you were originally targeting. Also consider a weekday trip, forgo electricity to expand your options, and sign up for the “notify me” function on the DNR reservation website to get notified by email if there’s a cancellation. Cancellations do occur regularly.
And be kind to fellow campers looking for an opportunity. If you made a reservation and plans have changed, cancel your own site on the reservation site. There is no fee if you do so 14 days before the scheduled arrival date.
Gearing up
If you are buying gear for the first time, do your research. Plenty of online sites offer sage advice when looking for gear, or go to established retailers like REI, Cabellas or smaller local outfitters in your community. Bottom line - you don't need the latest, greatest, most expensive stuff on the market, just a tent that doesn't leak, a warm sleeping bag and other well-built gear that won't fail when you need it most.
Tips for new campers... FROM campers
While your know-it-all brother-in-law would LOVE to nerve gas you for a couple of hours with EVERYTHING he knows about camping, we thought it would be easier (and less mind-numbing) to offer up suggestions from folks who have learned and refined their own outdoor routines. These nuggets of advice came in response to a post on the DNR Facebook page.
David Holscher - "Find somewhere close to home - Camping isn't for everyone, and MN weather can be very unpredictable. Being close to home allows for a bail-out option in case something goes south. It also gives you the opportunity to quickly run home to restock if/when you forget something important."
Jennifer Hamilton - "The first time we camped I Googled camping packing list and found a super helpful list of things to pack for a camping trip on REI. I still go off that list the first camping trip every summer!"
Sarah Taylor - "Minnesota state park camper cabins are great! You need way less gear to get started and so it's very forgiving for first-timers. Having a real roof over your head and a door that locks is a great confidence booster."
Erin Lasiuta - "Buy a duffel bag to store your tent. Then no arguments happen when taking the tent down while trying to stuff back in it’s original bag. And make sure your tent has a rain fly that goes all the way to the ground. If it only covers the top 1/3 you will get wet. You get what you pay in tents, they are well worth the money."
Tiffany Rickbiel - "Keep the cooking simple your first time out. Prep everything at home if you can. And bring plenty of cold drinks to stay hydrated and cool."
Kate Nyquist - "You need less full outfits/clothes than you think, but more socks. Do not skimp on the socks."
Kara Blasing - "We scope out campground sites at state parks, and then circle our favorites on the map. Then when we want to reserve at a state park, we know exactly which site(s) we liked!"
Dustin Pfarr - "Pack plenty of bug spray or you will get eaten alive. I would camp during the week as opposed to the weekend because you have the campground to yourself and have some peace and quiet."
Susan Schmalz Witting - "Be respectful of your neighbors. They are here to enjoy the sounds of nature, not your voice or music.." (Believe it or not, someone replied to Susan's post, sharing a story of someone bringing their saxophone to their campsite. DON'T be that guy)
Tracy Elliot - "Everything left out overnight gets soaked. Put your chairs under tarps at night. And put a locking cinch strap around your cooler. Raccons are brillant thieves."
Molly Keough - "Keep it simple. Keep a neat camp. Use quality equipment. Respect neighbors and nature. Visualize the trip - from setting up camp to food prep to sleep. Be sure you have packed only what you need. And remember fellow campers are glad to lend that forgotten hatchet or fire starter."
Jenny Tafur-Ruth - "Be prepared but also have fun. You're supposed to get dirty, you will probably get a little sweaty, and you're supposed to be that tight inside the tent. That's half the point - bonding over your dirtiness lol. It's an occasion for everyone to stop taking themselves so seriously. Have fun with it!"
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