Places to camp within a day's ride of Minneapolis?

July 18, 2011 2:13 PM

Some friends and I - all new to the area - are looking for a good place to camp within a long day's bike ride of Minneapolis, MN (60-100mi). We're hoping for something where we'll see few other people, and preferably access to a lake or river, hiking trails, and general wilderness (or at least the feeling of being away from civilization for a bit), and good to stay for a couple of days. Any recommendations? I'm having a hard time with the signal to noise ratio of the rest of the internet. Thanks!
posted by entropone to Travel & Transportation around Minneapolis, MN (6 answers total)

Hok-Si-La campground in Lake City. 67 mi. south of St. Paul on Highway 61. Primitive camping, some trails and beach access on Lake Pepin. Five mile ride to Frontenac State Park, which is still accessible despite being closed due to the state government shutdown. More info here.
posted by drzz at 2:28 PM on July 18, 2011

When are you planning this trip? If the shutdown is resolved by the time you go, I endorse the Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park, 60 miles south of Minneapolis. If you are up for a really long ride (120 miles), Lanesboro, MN and a place called Forrestville near there are really neat and biker friendly.
posted by 2ghouls at 2:34 PM on July 18, 2011

Response by poster: We're planning the trip for early August.

Thanks for the responses - I look forward to looking through those links.

Keep 'em coming! Thanks!
posted by entropone at 3:25 PM on July 18, 2011

Seconding Lake City / Red Wing. Make sure to look at the extensive network of trails MN has as well!

Generally: north = woods; south/west = prairie. Everywhere = lakes.
posted by gregglind at 4:58 PM on July 18, 2011

Since the state government shutdown is over, I recommend Interstate State Park. It's a wikipedia entry but has links to the respective sites; the government shutdown is over but apparently they haven't gotten around to turning the State Parks websites back on.

It's a beautiful bicycle ride, but not as long as you requested now that I look at it. Around 50 miles, which you could make longer by choosing more scenic routes.

The campground, on the Minnesota side, is next to the St Croix river. It's a really nice campground.
posted by dwbrant at 1:47 PM on July 20, 2011

Might be late here, but William O'Brien State Park should fit the bill.
posted by look busy at 8:55 PM on August 9, 2011