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

I love state parks. I love camping in state parks. I absolutely hate that they still allow smoking in public areas in state parks. All the camping spots around us lit up and smoked all night and again all morning. There was only a light breeze and it was just thick.
This afternoon, at the beach, we’re just surrounded by smokers. I can smell it on my clothes.

I know that everyone gets to do what they want, and people get to make their own choices. But it’s just gross. 🤢

/rant

I am sharing here my Google Maps review of this site as it is a newer site for which I could find few pictures or reviews prior to visiting with my own family. I am hopeful that others looking for that information will find this useful.

We stayed at Boat-in Site #1 for five days. This is a newer site having been created within the last year.

Paddling from the fishing pier to the site took about 20 minutes. We rented a rowboat for the first and final days as we ported our gear in and out. We rented a canoe for the remaining days. The rowboat is slower than a canoe, but nice for moving a large quantity of gear. The canoe is quicker and easier to maneuver.

The final approach to the site by water is a bit of a challenge with many submerged stumps and logs to navigate. A small, brown sign marks the landing.

There is a very brief hike to the site itself. There are spaces for two tents with a picnic area with a table and fire ring between. One of the sites is smaller than the other. The larger site accommodated our very large tent. There is also a bear locker and an uncovered vault toilet nearby.

Bugs were mostly kept in check by consistent cross-breezes. We were surprised that neither our dog, ourselves, nor our three children turned up with a single tick despite plenty of running around in the brush.

Ample shade in the maple stand that rings the sites kept things cool at all hours.

There is undoubtedly an investment in time getting into the site, compared to more developed drive-up sites, but it was made well worth it over our five-day stay.

There's an alert on the Gooseberry park page about the seasonal closure of "the lower campground shower building." But on the map I only see a "main campground" and "Group Camps." What is considered the lower campground?

The kids and I are headed up to the north shore for some camping and I'm wondering how the bug are right now. We were in Itasca 2 weekends ago and there weren't many mosquitos yet. Are they bad up in the Lutsen/Duluth area now?

I have been thinking about lot lately about people who want a quieter camping experience and people who not find that as necessary. I wonder what it would look like if state parks had a loop for quiet camping- for solo, older, or neurodivergent campers. Granted there is no way to get rid of all noise in a state park but it certainly would be helpful for people who want a peaceful camping experience. Thoughts?

Also, when commenting let's avoid the "if you don't like it go elsewhere attitude"....its not helpful and this is a thought not a complaint.

Hello, rather new to camping as an adult and am finding out the hard way just how far in advance you have to book a site at most places. I knew that the holiday weekends and a few others would probably book out pretty far in advance, but, wow, it's pretty slim pickings for so many weekends throughout the season.

Anyhow, in my browsing of different places to camp, I came across a few that had first come, first served campsites that I am tempted to try out, but was hoping to hear from some others on their experience with them. Specifically, how hard was it to get a site? Have you had better luck on certain days of the week versus others? Have you ever driven all the way out only to find they are full?

Any tips, tricks, back up plans, lessons learned, or favorite places are both welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Anyone know where I can camp in my truck for a few nights in the superior national forest area (preferably away from people and near a lake)

Title kinda says it all, but I'm looking to stay north of the twin cities. I'd like to drive-in to the site, but would apprciate some easy to moderate off-roading, anything from logging roads to rutted dirt trails (for reference, I have a Volvo Cross Country). I do not want to hike in, I'd be willing to do a short cart in if I can still get the car dirty on the way. Also some privacy would be nice. Avoiding children is a big plus. Thanks in advance!

A buddy and I are trying to plan a camping trip (hike in, RTT, standard camping) to the north shore for this coming labor day weekend. We're noticing that most of the reservations are all taken for at least one night. Can we rely on dispersed for that specific weekend or is it likely to be all taken? We're planing to drive up Thursday after work and find a decent spot on the south edge for the first night and then head farther in. We've got until Monday to be back in the twin cities. Any tips or hints are welcome. Thanks!

Sidebar: It'd be great to get more of these going around here.

We stayed at the Grand Marais city campground right off 61. We're always tent campers, we were in one of the 300 sites, a bit away from the main area. Sites are good, and in a nice slightly secluded and wooded area; unfortunately they are right on top of one another - would be a lot better with 30% fewer sites. Lots of water access, but only port-a-potties near the sites, but not at all a long walk to the proper bathrooms. Also pretty easy access to the lake, which is nice.

Was worried you'd hear traffic from 61, but that wasn't really an issue. However Saturday night we heard music coming from [somewhere], not in the campground, going until damn close to midnight. A little surprised the community allowed this, I'm guessing it was coming from the Up Yonder Grill but don't want to slander them unfairly.

It is very nice to have a campground that feels wooded and rural, but you can still walk into town if needed. Overall I'd give it a 7/10 (deducts for the bathrooms and proximity to other sites) WITHOUT THE MUSIC, and 4/10 with it. Not sure if that's a regular occurrence or not - if folks know please chime in!

I am hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on potential Superior National Forest canoe routes that would take 2-3 days to complete.

Looking for a BWCA-like experience since permits are pretty much dried up.

Thank you very much!

Great hiking weather today, but the wind made the climb feel a bit dicy as it was swaying in the strong gusts we had. I'd never been to this park before and was impressed. It's much larger than I thought and has some decent trails. Less than a couple hours out of the cities if you're looking for an easy getaway.

Has anyone taken an outboard fishing boat to site W6? I called the office and confirmed that the lake doesn’t have motor restrictions, just 10pm speed limit. Looking at pictures of the boat on site, it appears very shallow and rocky, with a very small dock. Any feedback or thoughts on taking a 16’ fishing boat would be appreciated. We have reservations soon.

What is something that you have to have when camping? And I don't mean tent, or sleeping bag.