How many portages to the bathroom?

July 7, 2008 7:30 PM

Camping spots near Saint Paul, MN, USA?

Any recommendations for good spot to go camping for a sort of mostly firstish camper near Saint Paul, MN?

Just looking for places which are I guess "good" to go to. Meaning there is nice stuff to go and see and have what camping folk (not me since I'm not camping folk, but would like to be) would call a good place to go camp.

I guess as a newish camper. Places where I have to portage eight miles are on the down side. Places where I can pull up portage my stuff much less than eight miles and set up would be nice. Is that odd?

Basically want somewhere to camp that is not too far out to begin with. But not that far either. Like KinderCampin'. Only with no toilets and real fire.

posted by jeribus to sports, hobbies, & recreation (6 comments total)

I love Whitewater State Park. The walk in sites are rough enough, but if you break down and need modern plumbing and a shower it's not a long walk. The Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek run through the park and the hiking is wonderful. The fishing there is fun too.
posted by advicepig at 8:08 PM on July 7, 2008

I would recommend the Afton State Park.

It has toilets, and you pay for the firewood at the entrance but you can chop as much as you need.

The individual sites are well separated from each other that you never know there are other campers around. There is not much to do but laze and swim in the river. Good, easy way to ease into camping.
posted by hariya at 9:17 PM on July 7, 2008

Seconding Afton, though after swimming in the river, the hike back up to the camp sites is anything but a lazy walk; it's actually quite the climb. But still an awesome state park. Bring your clubs if you golf, there's a course right there and a good number of the holes double as the ski slopes in the winter. (Hint: get a cart.)

If your definition of "near" spans as much as an hour drive, also check out Frontenac. The individual sizes are next to each other, so not as much privacy as Afton - but still a nice park for camping with some awesome views of Lake Pepin. Unlike Afton, you essentially park right at your camp site. Afton is a little hike from parking.

Being on the river bluffs, both have very scenic - and sometimes moderately challenging - hiking trails. As far as 'chop as much as you need' - not sure what exactly the intention was there, but state parks frown on (or outright prohibit) using dead wood found around the park in your campfire.

Also, if you are coming out of state (or in state for that matter), note that in MN if you bring in firewood to the park, it must be purchased from either the ranger station as mentioned, or an approved firewood vendor located near the park. This is being done to prevent the spread of some non-native destructive bug species, just be aware that the ranger will want to know where you got your firewood if you bring it in.
posted by SquidLips at 10:09 PM on July 7, 2008

I second Frontenac - nice little campsites, drive in, has bathrooms. Pretty drive from StP too.
posted by lunasol at 6:21 AM on July 8, 2008

I was just looking at Interstate State Park last night as a possible stopping point for my drive up to Northern WI later this week. It is on the St. Croix River, which I have heard is really beautiful. You can also stay on the Wisconsin Side. Both places have drive in campsites, but I don't have any personal experience at these places. The websites have tons of info, however.
posted by sararah at 7:10 AM on July 8, 2008

Seconding Interstate State Park, it's a short drive from the Cities and there's some really beautiful hiking. The campsites in the park itself are crowded and have to be reserved weeks in advance, I'd recommend finding a privately run campsite nearby. The one we always went to is called Camp Waub-o-Jeeg. The owners were always friendly and the rates were always reasonable. If you decide to go there, ask if any of the "bird campsites" are available, they're the ones that are set back from the rest and will give you more privacy.
posted by TungstenChef at 10:45 AM on July 8, 2008