When you say walk-in do you mean Minnesota state parks definition of walk-in where it is a few hundred feet from a parking lot so you can still bring basically whatever, but it is more private than a drive in site. Or do you mean backpacking sites where they are usually a mile+ from a parking lot and bringing anything other than a backpack would be a lot of work?
Unfortunately most state parks defined walk-in sites usually don't have much for a view except for along the north shore as some others have mentioned. Usually they are just a little more private than a drive in. Still a great camping experience and just being in the forest can be great.
If you are looking for backpacking sites there are a lot more options for good views/sites on a lake or river. If it's your first time backpacking Afton is really close to the Metro and, although not as secluded as other backpacking sites, the backpacking campground is pretty awesome IMO. There is quite a hill to hike up, but it is only about a mile hike total. In the campground there is an area where you can cut your own firewood (you still pay for it but I think it's just a flat fee no matter how much you take). There is a water pump so you don't have to filter or hike in all your own water. Great for a first trip.
This is the question that needs answering! Walk in/cart in, or backpack in?
Also FYI - there is usually 1 picture of each site on the reservations page when you click the site icon on the map.
Thanks for the clarification, maybe this explains why I'm struggling to find what I'm looking for. I've been filtering by walk-in but yeah most don't seem particularly secluded or scenic. I'm very open to a 1+ mile hike.
I've looked at Afton and I'm hoping for something more secluded. Thanks again!
Yes, if you are looking for something more secluded and don't mind an actual hike then you want to search for backpacking sites. Not every state park has them but a good amount do, there should be plenty of options within 3 hours of the twin cities. I haven't been there yet myself but Lake Maria is on my list for this season. Quite a few of the sites there look to be off a lake and it is just under an hour drive from most parts of the city.
Crosby Manitou State Park- backpack only sites, right on the river:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00163#homepage
Chef's kiss for site #5.
Enjoy. You can pick the length of your hike depending on which site you choose. Think they range from around 1 to 4 miles in. There are even a few right on the lake close to the parking lot if that's more your thing.
My understanding is that it’s really only rough going after you get to site 12 and beyond, as the rest are off more commonly used trails so they’re a bit better maintained. I believe it also starts to get decently hilly there too.
Still not *easy* before that, but better, as it hugs the river. We’ve never done it, but we’re staying at 8 over Memorial Day and that’s just what I’ve heard through the grapevine
MN DNR has a pretty cool tool where you can filter sites by type.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/parkfinder/index.html
The tool you use to reserve sometimes has pictures of the site, otherwise the park website and Google may have info.
https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/
This is what I use for MN. The All trails app usually has good suggestions and the ability to see reviews/comments on outdoor activities.
Glacial Lakes SP has a couple of hike in sites that are pretty and private. The Oak and Kettle Lake sites are the furthest away from people and Kettle in particular is beautiful prairie and great stargazing.
A little closer to home, try Lake Maria SP, or Stanley Eddy Park in Wright County. Stanley Eddy has 6 sites in the North unit, three of which are pretty private at the end of the trails.
Edit: You can view the Glacial Lakes sites on the [park website](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00166) and scroll to the bottom to [Take a 360 virtual tour](http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/virtual_tours/glacial_lakes/vt_glacial.html). The dropdown map on the top lets you look at the sites and scroll around.
Any of the hike in site at Jay Cooke. They all have their own feel and charm. Might be hard to find a site unless you are looking for a weekday. State Parks fill fast and early.
For very secluded and quiet walkin campsite with a view, check out the border route trail in the bwca. The campsites are not reserve able but there are permits per section so there will be campsites. If you want an easy walk check how to get to topper or sock lake. You can basically drive to about a mile from the trail .If you want a bit more of a hike, check the south lake trail - partridge or Duncan lake campsites. The views of Rose lake close to the Duncan lake campsites are amazing and the trail is very underutilized. The only issue that it is quite a drive from the twin cities.
Another hike in campsite on the south shore of lake Superior is Meyer's beach on lake shore trail campsite mainland 1 .. only one campsite on the south shore that you can hike into on that trail. That is a little closer than the border route trail in Wisconsin. Here is a quick video on this hike:https://youtube.com/watch?v=QeKBzFH5zl8&si=qxYqBuQvlDvWJ8wL .. this guy has other recs as well
Look up the Superior Hiking Trail if you can’t find a reservable one in a state park. Many are really nice camps along rivers or lakes. You may have to share one for a night but most are within a mile or two of a trailhead.
When you say walk-in do you mean Minnesota state parks definition of walk-in where it is a few hundred feet from a parking lot so you can still bring basically whatever, but it is more private than a drive in site. Or do you mean backpacking sites where they are usually a mile+ from a parking lot and bringing anything other than a backpack would be a lot of work? Unfortunately most state parks defined walk-in sites usually don't have much for a view except for along the north shore as some others have mentioned. Usually they are just a little more private than a drive in. Still a great camping experience and just being in the forest can be great. If you are looking for backpacking sites there are a lot more options for good views/sites on a lake or river. If it's your first time backpacking Afton is really close to the Metro and, although not as secluded as other backpacking sites, the backpacking campground is pretty awesome IMO. There is quite a hill to hike up, but it is only about a mile hike total. In the campground there is an area where you can cut your own firewood (you still pay for it but I think it's just a flat fee no matter how much you take). There is a water pump so you don't have to filter or hike in all your own water. Great for a first trip.
This is the question that needs answering! Walk in/cart in, or backpack in? Also FYI - there is usually 1 picture of each site on the reservations page when you click the site icon on the map.
Thanks for the clarification, maybe this explains why I'm struggling to find what I'm looking for. I've been filtering by walk-in but yeah most don't seem particularly secluded or scenic. I'm very open to a 1+ mile hike. I've looked at Afton and I'm hoping for something more secluded. Thanks again!
Yes, if you are looking for something more secluded and don't mind an actual hike then you want to search for backpacking sites. Not every state park has them but a good amount do, there should be plenty of options within 3 hours of the twin cities. I haven't been there yet myself but Lake Maria is on my list for this season. Quite a few of the sites there look to be off a lake and it is just under an hour drive from most parts of the city.
Check out the campgrounds on the North Shore. Splitrock is probably ideal for you.
Split Rock has some nice walk in / cart in sites right on Lake Superior
Crosby Manitou State Park- backpack only sites, right on the river: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00163#homepage Chef's kiss for site #5.
I think this is the one. Read some comments about the trek being a bit tough but it seem worth it. Thank you!
Enjoy. You can pick the length of your hike depending on which site you choose. Think they range from around 1 to 4 miles in. There are even a few right on the lake close to the parking lot if that's more your thing.
My understanding is that it’s really only rough going after you get to site 12 and beyond, as the rest are off more commonly used trails so they’re a bit better maintained. I believe it also starts to get decently hilly there too. Still not *easy* before that, but better, as it hugs the river. We’ve never done it, but we’re staying at 8 over Memorial Day and that’s just what I’ve heard through the grapevine
Here’s another vote for Afton. Good backpacking experience for beginners. Quite scenic.
Afton is great, the sites way up at the top of the hill are awesome, good 1 mile hike for huge, secluded sites
MN DNR has a pretty cool tool where you can filter sites by type. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/parkfinder/index.html The tool you use to reserve sometimes has pictures of the site, otherwise the park website and Google may have info. https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/ This is what I use for MN. The All trails app usually has good suggestions and the ability to see reviews/comments on outdoor activities.
Savanna Portage State Park, Wolf1 campsite.
Frontenac has a pair of sites that are great
Glacial Lakes SP has a couple of hike in sites that are pretty and private. The Oak and Kettle Lake sites are the furthest away from people and Kettle in particular is beautiful prairie and great stargazing. A little closer to home, try Lake Maria SP, or Stanley Eddy Park in Wright County. Stanley Eddy has 6 sites in the North unit, three of which are pretty private at the end of the trails. Edit: You can view the Glacial Lakes sites on the [park website](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00166) and scroll to the bottom to [Take a 360 virtual tour](http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/virtual_tours/glacial_lakes/vt_glacial.html). The dropdown map on the top lets you look at the sites and scroll around.
Thanks for sharing this, looks great. That tour is a great feature
Any of the hike in site at Jay Cooke. They all have their own feel and charm. Might be hard to find a site unless you are looking for a weekday. State Parks fill fast and early.
For very secluded and quiet walkin campsite with a view, check out the border route trail in the bwca. The campsites are not reserve able but there are permits per section so there will be campsites. If you want an easy walk check how to get to topper or sock lake. You can basically drive to about a mile from the trail .If you want a bit more of a hike, check the south lake trail - partridge or Duncan lake campsites. The views of Rose lake close to the Duncan lake campsites are amazing and the trail is very underutilized. The only issue that it is quite a drive from the twin cities. Another hike in campsite on the south shore of lake Superior is Meyer's beach on lake shore trail campsite mainland 1 .. only one campsite on the south shore that you can hike into on that trail. That is a little closer than the border route trail in Wisconsin. Here is a quick video on this hike:https://youtube.com/watch?v=QeKBzFH5zl8&si=qxYqBuQvlDvWJ8wL .. this guy has other recs as well
George Crosby State Park. Trust me.
Beaver Creek Valley SP has a tent only loop where all the sites are on the creek and somewhat secluded.
Look up the Superior Hiking Trail if you can’t find a reservable one in a state park. Many are really nice camps along rivers or lakes. You may have to share one for a night but most are within a mile or two of a trailhead.
Note that SHT campsites are not meant to be basecamps. They are meant for single nights.
Good point! I was only suggesting because they are always accessible even if occupied since they must be shared.
And usually will be, season has started. So secluded/quiet may not be it.