Primitive Camping Near the Mpls Metro?

[hawgTime]

I'm relatively new to the area (mpls metro) and haven't explored the area much, but I am looking for some good places to go camping mear the metro. I would like to find good spots to camp where I can have an open-fire and do some fishing. I'm willing to drive and hour or two. thanks

hawgTime

[Fisher Dave]

If you have a boat that runs reasonably shallow there are some camp sites along the Mississippi river between Clearwater and St. Cloud. Its good fishing in that area.

I have been known to bring a tent along to the Minnesota river and pitch it up in the middle of nowhere also ...

I know there are camping opportunities along the upper St Croix.

For campgrounds on lakes near the cities .. Nothing comes to mind offhand, there arent many left anywhere. Someone else may be able to help you out further.

[rosspj59]

Madison Lake down by Mankato has a wonderful campsite area for tents or campers and you can have open fires. Brey Park is where I have stayed in the past. Good walleye and crappie population and the drive is 1 and a half hours. Also check dnr website for camping information. Brey Park fills up fast though, sorry don't have the number on hand. There are also a few other lakes in that area that are nice alos. You could check with The Bobber shop Bait and tackle in Mankato for other references.

[deadeye]

I like Fisher Dave's idea, finding your own campsite on a sandbar or bank at the river is a great idea. That could be a lot of fun, fishing for big flatheads till late night and camping out sounds good to me!
><>deadeye

[Guest]

Hawgtime,

I have no idea where you are located in the cities, but there is camping available in Baker Park on lake Independence(near maple plain). Also, it is a short drive to lake Minnetonka, which as far as I am concerned has some of the best fishing opportunities in the state. It depends on what your priorities are. If it is catching fish, then I would highly recommend it(baker park), if it is getting away from crowds then go farther away from the cities! Good Luck.

[Fisher Dave]

Rush Lake near Pine City (north on 35) used to have a campground years ago. It might still be there. Someone may step in and say if its still there or not.

Baker Park Reserve (Lake Independence) has a campground, but the population in there closely resemble's downtown Minneapolis in rush hour.

Not what I would call anything near primitive.

[DTro]

I'm not sure how close you need to be to water, but there is a campground that is quite primitive near the Minnesota river between Jordan and Belle Plaine. If you take hwy 57 past the Scott county fairgrounds it's a few miles past the fairgrounds. There is no launch, but a couple of the sites back up to the river so you could shore fish. The times I've drove down there around the loop it's been pretty quiet. There's also a campground at Fish Lake, but I would consider it more of a field you can park your trailer in or pitch a tent. But there is a beach and a launch close by.

[Pherris]

There is a camp ground on Fish lake by Prior lake. I think it is called Fish Lake Campground. Not a bad little fishing lake.

[cartfan]

Lake Elmo Park Preserve in Washington County has modern and primitive camping. It's very nice and worth looking into. Just East of ST Paul.

[rascalP]

Check out the DNR website and look into state forest campgrounds -- pit toilets and a hand pump for water and usually pay on the honor system. Much more secluded than state park campgrounds and almost always on some water.

rascal

[Guest]

Look down past Red wing toward Lake Pepin. some nice campgrounds there.

[Failin'onPhalen]

Hawger,

In terms of primitive camping, I would suggest the St. Croix. I believe you can camp on the islands without needing a special permit. This type of camping would require Leave No Trace principles, but if you are truly looking for primitive, its about as primitive as it gets round-these parts. I have never done this on the Mississippi River stretch from St. Cloud down, but the rules are likely similar (check into it). Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park (lino Lakes - Anoka County Parks)also has a campground with modern and rustic sites. It's not truly primitive, but is wooded and affords average privacy. Flush toilets. Bring your trailered boat and you can fish either Centerville Lake or Peltier...also, if you have kids there is a great beach and some new paved biking/in-line skating trails...will fill up on busy weekends, though. Otherwise, I would suggest a state forest, they are generally primitive and less used (especially on busy weekends like memorial day). Good luck.
Phalen

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

I would second the above post on the ST. Croix. I went up there 2 years ago with the wife , I had a 12 foot alumacraft at the time and had a blast (I wouldn't of tried it with anybigger boat, was north of taylors falls and really shallow but a canoe would have been fine as well) But about as primitive as you can get near the cities.

[Big Dave2]

Baylor regional park in Norwood is a nice campground and is on Eagle lake.

[jegerjack]

The Fish lake campground that Pherris mentioned is a pretty good spot. I have gone there a few times, but if you are looking for a place with not a lot of crowds I would not go there(I think people live there all summer, I worked a Canterbury Park one summer and I saw stable hands living there in their campers). The fishing tends to be pretty decent for a Metro lake and it is not far away either.

JegerJack

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"What did the old man trade for these guys, a used puck bag?"

[GreyGoose]

Fisher Dave,
How do I get to these campsites. I got a 14' with a 15hp. so I can get in shallow. Can you put up a tent anywhere and camp or is it only certain areas. I'm looking for something for this weekend so a quick reply would be apprechiated.Thanks

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God Bless America

[Walleye_GFA]

Anywhere you dont hear "Dualing Banjos" (themesong from Deliverance)...

Wally

JK Im not sure, just ahd to comment...

[Failin'onPhalen]

GG,

You may want to give the National park Service - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area a call..651-290-4160. They don't manage the are up by St. Cloud, but will likely have some info on camping on the islands and perhaps some boat launches up that way. I think you can camp most any place on the islands. Leave no trace camping required. As far as campgrounds go, I bet most are all-booked-up for this weekend.

Phalen

[Dragon Fish ll]

Driving truck all over the state the past couple months Ive been seeing all kinds of great camping spots.since im too tired to drive back to the citys for a few hours sleep and then back to Monticello Ive been finding some choice little lakes just a few miles outside Monticello. But from experience Id say try pothole campground in Taylors Falls.and you can use your campground permit to go into anyother state campground in the county.you can rent a canoe or take your own. but if you rent one there you can canoe 17 miles down to the other campsite and they will bring you back up to your campsite. also in new gary duluth just under duluth theres a spot called boy scout landing, I stopped there yesterday after droping a load at wal mart . and saw camping there , also the fishing was going pretty well. I took my lunchthere and managed a walleye and a rock bass, the guy next to me caught a sturgeon, awalleye, and northern , and the other guy on the dock caught 3 walleye all in my little 40 minute break. Ill keep my eye open for some choice spots as im all over the state daily.