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The Best Camping in Minnesota

Looking for the best camping in Minnesota? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Minnesota. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top camping spots in and near Minnesota

  • Nerstrand, Minnesota

    Hike Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park

    3.3
    11 mi
    Curious about what Minnesota looked like in pre-settlement times?Then spend the day hiking through Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park, a botanical reserve for the temperate hardwood forest that once covered much of central Minnesota. Located 45 miles south of Minneapolis, the park offers the opportun...
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  • Silver Bay, Minnesota

    Hike to the Bear Lake Overlook

    4.5
    Leave from the carpark on Superior Hiking Trail. The trail climbs a little before descending into a valley and winding around the hills. In about 2.5 miles, you will reach a clearing with an overlook above Bean Lake. At around 3.6 miles you will see a communal campsite on the right, with a number...
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  • Mankato, Minnesota

    Explore Minneopa State Park

    4.3
    0.5 mi
    Located just five miles west of Mankato, Minnesota, Minneopa State Park is mostly known for its beautiful Minneopa Falls. The word "Minneopa" is derived from the Dakota language meaning "water falling twice". To access the falls, begin at the state park's visitor center/picnic area. The Upper F...
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  • Saint Charles, Minnesota

    Camp at Whitewater State Park

    Whitewater State Park is at the cusp of bluff country, straddling the Whitewater River, a small tributary of the Mississippi. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit. In Spring you'll hit wildflower season when the forest glades in the depths of the valley folds are literally carpeted with ...
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  • Askov, Minnesota

    Hike to Wolf Creek Falls

    3.8
    1.2 mi
    Just off of Highway 35 near Sandstone, Minnesota, Banning State Park provides several areas to explore including the Kettle River, Historic Sandstone Quarry, and my favorite - Wolf Creek Falls.While the Kettle River is a popular attraction for hikers as well as kayakers, the scenic hike to Wolf C...
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  • Silver Bay, Minnesota

    Hike to High Falls and Two Step Falls

    5.0
    1.17 mi / 253 ft gain
    Located within Tettegouche State Park, High Falls of the Baptism river is the highest waterfall entirely in Minnesota (High Falls of the Pigeon River is higher, but half of it lies on the Ontario border). The High Falls are one of the major highlights of Tettegouche State Park. Depending on wh...
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  • Taylors Falls, Minnesota

    River Trail Loop

    4.0
    4.32 mi / 285 ft gain
    Wild River State Park, located about 55 miles northeast of Minneapolis, is a fantastic getaway and caters to a wide-variety of visitors. If you have an afternoon and are looking for an easy hike through a variety of natural environments, take The River Trail north, then follow the Old Lodging Tra...
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  • Cass Lake, Minnesota

    Star Island

    Star Island is located on Cass Lake in Northern Minnesota. Camping on the island is a great experience, it is usually very secluded; it is not a remote location during the day, but after 6 pm, the island is usually empty besides the few (lucky) people that reside there during the summer months. ...
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  • Grand Marais, Minnesota

    Hike to Devil's Kettle

    4.3
    2 mi
    For those who enjoy waterfalls, the Devil's Kettle waterfall is a must see. The Devil's Kettle trail will lead you to perhaps one of Minnesota's most unusual waterfalls along the North Shore. This waterfall of the Brule River is unique in that the river splits into two; with one half dropping 5...
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  • Starbuck, Minnesota

    Backcountry Camp at Glacial Lakes SP

    4 mi / 200 ft gain
    Glacial Lakes State Park is located on the easternmost border of the once immense prairie that covered much of the Great Plains. This prairie oasis gives visitors a taste of what traveling across the that treeless wilderness would have been like for American Indians and pioneers two hundred years...
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  • Laporte, Minnesota

    Walk Across the Mississippi River in Itasca SP

    4.8
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    At the Headwaters Trailhead there is a visitor center, bathrooms and a large interactive station for kids and adults to learn interesting facts about the Mississippi and the history of the area. The hike itself is just over a mile and completely flat. The trail follows the small Mississippi River...
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  • Rogers, Minnesota

    Hike the Crow-Hassan Regional Park Loop

    4 mi / 90 ft gain
    Crow-Hassan Park Reserve is the largest prairie based park in the Twin Cities metro area. Although there are many ways to experience Crow-Hassan including horseback riding, canoeing on the scenic Crow River, or even staying the night in one of the park's campgrounds, the simplest way to enjoy it ...
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  • Silver Bay, Minnesota

    Camp at George H. Manitou Crosby State Park

    5.0
    George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a lesser known park along Minnesota's North Shore. There are only backcountry sites, and it's not conveniently along the scenic road, so you really have to plan on going here. This makes it quiet, peaceful, and absolutely perfect for someone looking for a li...
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  • Finland, Minnesota

    Drive Superior National Forest's Fall Color Route

    5.0
    Every Autumn, Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota designates some of it's best roads as official Fall Color Routes. These roads go deep into the forest, far from towns and cell phone reception to show off the best Minnesota has to offer. Peak season is short, only a week or two sometim...
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  • Grand Marais, Minnesota

    Cliff Jump at Beth Lake in the BWCA

    Beth Lake is part of the "Lady Chain" of lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It's secluded, serene and worth the trip, especially if you're up for an afternoon of cliff jumping.You can reach Beth Lake in half of a day, assuming you set out in the morning and are efficient with your time. But...
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  • Crosby, Minnesota

    Camp and Mountain Bike Cuyana State Recreation Area

    4.5
    Cuyuna Lakes Recreation Area has put a lot of time, money and resources into building this amazing IMBA trail system. There are 5 different trail sections with varying degrees of difficulty and length. They boast "over 30 purpose-built routes to choose from" and "everyone from beginner to pro can...
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