Hello everyone! Looking for everyone’s favorite places to tent camp within a couple hours of the Twin Cities. I’ve been camping up in the Superior National Forest/on the Gunflint Trail since I was a kid and continue to do an annual trip up there but the long drive is quite a commitment for shorter/weekend trips as I’ve gotten older and more busy. My sister and I have been looking for somewhere that’s a more reasonable distance from home (south Minneapolis) to get out and about more often in summer/fall. We both would LOVE somewhere with good swimming - I also enjoy fishing and low key hiking but for the most part we just like hanging out at camp, somewhere quiet with good views. I’d love to try something in southern MN around the Driftless region but we’re really open to driving anywhere as long as it’s within a couple hours!

Had to change plans and I'm trying to decide between those two destinations. I'm a tent camper who likes to (hobbit) hike, kayak and fish. Thanks!

I just cancelled our reservation for Cart-In site 10 Thurs-Sunday this weekend. The weather and air quality look great, we just had something come up and need to change our plans. Hope someone can use it!

Update: thanks for everyone’s input, we did decide to cancel.

Hi everyone!
We had planned to camp at Baptism River campground Monday-Friday this week but I am getting nervous witn the unpredictable air quality. Should we cancel? What are people’s thoughts? We are tent camping.

Thanks!

Trying to do some dispersed camping this weekend in the Richard J. Dorer State Forest, as near to Red Wing as possible. Does anyone have experience there and know of a good place to hike in from? Haven’t been there before and just looking for a good place to start. Thanks in advance!

Stayed recently. This one flies below the radar a bit IMO; doesn't have the convivence of a Jay Cooke or Gooseberry, or the scenery of a Split Rock or Tettegouche. However, the campground itself is quite nice; facilities are in good conditions, sites are nicely spaced (lots of variability on this point but nothing awful). Biggest downside is if you're in a spot close to 61, you can hear it at night, however it's not particularly busy that far north.

Bonus - there are a ton of hiking trails right there, and hiking up the Cascade River is pretty scenic - you don't get the huge vistas of the big lake but that river has cut a nice gorge through the rocks. Freebie idea - grab your dinner and head down to the few picnic tables / firepits on the lake side of 61; they're not reservable but often open. Overall 8/10.

All the hotels were full when I found myself needing to stay in the Battle Lake, MN area and I came across this gem on Airbnb. Recommend!

Hey everyone. Hoping to seek advice from this community. Me and my family, which includes two small children, we’re planning to go to Birch Lake Campground up near Ely this weekend. However, because of the fires, we are rethinking our plans. Not because I think Birch Lake is in any fire danger, but more because of the smoke. It doesn’t sound pleasant to be camping when the AQI is 200+.

As I’ve been looking at alternatives, I considered one close to the Twin Cities called Snake River. It’s a state forest campground and looks nice. I was all but settled on this alternative when then I considered the heat. It’s going to be in the 90s. Which also doesn’t sound pleasant. The nice thing about being up near Ely is that it’s a little bit cooler up there and you have Ely pretty close to Birch Lake so if you need to get out of the campground and hang out in some air conditioner, you can.

So basically, I am looking for a viable campground with first come first serve sites, that is nice and decent, that is also far enough north to get away from some of the heat, and also somewhat west of where the prevailing winds will be for the wildfire smoke. I know that’s probably a tall order but figured I would give it a shot to ask this group!

Thanks in advance.

Does anyone have any information about kayak rental at Lac Qui Parle State Park? Thanks!

My wife and I are staying at the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park for a few days. I was surprised that they have wifi here for guests!

Does anybody happen to know if that is common at other Minnesota State Parks, too.

At Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, the free guest Wi-Fi lets you browse the internet, check your email, and use social media. You can also use it to buy your vehicle permits, reserve future campsites, or download offline trail maps before you head out into areas with no cell signal.

Decided to make a free group. I made a discord so we can chat and schedule stuff. I decided on MPLS Wanderers because i enjoy wandering around.

https://discord.gg/AkXaqVyAA

Hi! I’m heading camping and worried about how much bug gear I have. Someone told me they experienced terrible horseflies recently but I can’t remember if it was near the Superior National Forest.

If you have any recommendations for gear please let me know. Thank you!

Hey all, heading down to the Red Wing and Winona area to hit all the state parks next week. I plan to do a great deal of hiking. Little worried about ticks. I have permethrin for my clothes and also picaridin for my skin. Just wondering how bad it is in those areas and this time of year. It’s also going to be really hot so I hate to layer, but feels like the best option with ticks.

Thank you!

Bringing up some friends who haven’t kayaked much or at all before. Is Thompson reservoir safe for 3-4 people with little or no experience? I’m an avid kayaker but want to keep them safe, but I’ve never kayaked the reservoir. Spirit lake is also an option but the reservoir seems to be a more interesting float. Also open to suggestions!

Hello,

I’m new to Minneapolis and I’m looking for a group of friends to go hiking, camping, climbing or foraging with. I’m in my thirties, really active and pretty sociable. Anyone have any ideas? I’m willing to use Facebook or whatever, but not meetup because while I am lonely, I’m not quite $10/week lonely.

Edit. Made a group, replied with an invite to the discord. Will make a separate post