Campsites still available for Fourth of July weekend

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Campsites still available for Fourth of July weekend
(Released June 24, 2010)


There are still plenty of places left to pitch a tent or park an RV over the Fourth of July weekend at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Up to 30 percent of the campsites at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are nonreservable and available to campers on a first-come, first-served basis, as are all campsites at Minnesota state forest recreation areas.

To increase the chances of getting a nonreservable campsite, the DNR advises campers to arrive by Thursday night or early Friday morning or delay their arrival until Sunday, when campsites begin to open up again.

The following state parks, all within 100 miles of the Twin Cities metro area, had at least 10 reservable campsites remaining for the Fourth of July weekend as of June 21:

Carley State Park (near Rochester), a quiet spot to hike and trout fish amid wildflowers and grand old white pines along the Whitewater River.
Minneopa State Park (Mankato), where highlights include beautiful waterfalls and panoramic views.
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area (Jordan), an ideal destination for wildlife observation as well as hiking, biking and mountain biking along the multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail that runs through the park.
Myre-Big Island State Park (Albert Lea), with rental canoes and kayaks available for exploring Albert Lea Lake, a haven for waterfowl.
Rice Lake State Park (Owatonna), which has a great variety of songbirds to observe while paddling the lake or hiking the park’s five miles of trails.
St. Croix State Park (Hinckley), the state’s largest state park, with 34,000 acres bordered by the St. Croix and Kettle rivers, has a swimming beach, a fire tower, 21 miles of mountain bike trails and a 5.5-mile paved bike trail.
Sakatah Lake State Park (near Faribault), a scenic place to boat and bike, with easy access to the 39-mile paved Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail that runs through the park.
Many campsites are available at parks further from the metro area including:

In the southwest, Blue Mounds, Camden, Kilen Woods, Lac qui Parle, and Upper Sioux Agency state parks.
In the northwest, Hayes Lake, Lake Bronson, Maplewood, and Zippel Bay state parks.
In the northeast, Scenic and Schoolcraft state parks.
For campers planning family reunions or traveling with friends, several group camps are available, which feature space for multiple tents. They can be reserved for $30 to $75 per night.

Day-use visitors can choose from a variety of naturalist-led programs or spend the day hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, geocaching, or riding horses or off-highway vehicles on their own. Many parks even loan out free GPS units, fishing equipment, birding kits, and Kids Discovery Kits. For details about programs and special events and equipment check-out, call 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 or visit mndnr.gov/parksandtrails.

A daily state park vehicle permit costs $5. Year-round $25 permits provide unlimited access to Minnesota state parks for a full year from the month of purchase. Entrance to Soudan Underground Mine State Park and the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area in Gilbert is free.

Camping or lodging reservations can be made by calling 866-85PARKS or 866-857-2757 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, or by visiting www.stayatmnparks.com.