Start Your Summer Planning Now 🏕️☀️

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March 2026

📷: Explore Minnesota Tourism, Group Camp at William O'Brien State Park

Start Your Summer Planning Now 🏕️☀️

A little planning now, while there's still snow on the ground, can turn into unforgettable days outside this spring, summer, and fall—whether that means reserving a campsite, mapping out a scenic trail ride, or simply choosing a new park to explore. In this issue, we’re sharing tips to help you plan ahead and make the most of your time outdoors. If you already have your park planning down to a science, consider passing this newsletter along to a friend or family member who’s just getting started. Everyone deserves a little help finding their way to their next favorite park or trail!

Plan Like a Pro - Start Early!

Gather friends, family, and make your wish list.

Minnesota’s state parks, recreation areas, and forests offer some of the best camping and overnight options in the nation! Is your dream to wake up to a chorus of songbirds next to swaying tallgrass? Or do you prefer to be tucked within the cool cover of fragrant pine trees? Lucky for you, our state has incredible variety in landscape and overnight options.

✨ Make Your Wish List: The first step to a dream-worthy camping trip is making your wish list. Decide what excites you about exploring outside. Are you a rustic camper who needs little more than a trail to follow and an open area to pitch your tent? Or maybe the appeal of a camper cabin with electricity, sturdy roof, and a mattress calls to you more. Other things to consider are activities you'd like to do during your stay, such as tours, biking, paddling, or horseback riding. To help plan out your wish list, use ParkFinder. You can filter by lodging type, campsite type, recreation facilities, things to see, and more! 👥 Gather Your Group: Does your dream trip involve friends or family? Connecting with your travel group about best dates, back-up dates, and favorite locations in advance will allow you to book quickly once the reservation window is open. Turn making the list into a fun activity: each person does research on a different location and pitches it to the group. After everyone does a presentation, you vote for your favorite trip. Once you have your wish list, be ready to make a reservation at 120 days out…

📷: Camper cabin at Lac qui Parle State Park

120 Days Before Your Stay

Mark your calendar and book reservations early.

If you’re staying at a state forest campground, good news — reservations aren’t required. You can skip this section.

📆 Mark Your Calendar: If you’re staying at a state park or recreation area, mark your calendar! Reservations for overnight stays open 120 days in advance and popular weekends fill fast. Make reservations online or by phone at 866-857-2757. Only your arrival date needs to fall within the 120-day window. For example, an Aug. 1 arrival becomes available to book starting April 3. Pro tip: ask Google what 120 days before your arrival date is. It’s much easier than doing the math yourself!

⛺ Plan Your Space:

• A standard campsite allows up to six people, one camping shelter, and one vehicle.
• Larger groups can reserve multiple campsites, book a group campsite, or contact the park directly to discuss options.
• You can reserve up to five campsites or lodging units under one reservation.

✌️ Have a Back-Up Ready: High-demand weekends and electric campsites book quickly, so be ready with a back-up plan if your first choice isn't available.

• Use the “Notify Me” feature on the reservations website to get alerts when cancellations happen.
• Explore another park — Minnesota has 73 state parks and recreation areas, many with regular availability.
• Consider midweek dates for better odds.
• Look at non-electric sites if hookups aren’t essential.
• Try a state forest campground, where reservations aren’t required (note: no electric sites).

📷: St. Croix State Park

1 Month Before Your Stay

Get together with your group and plan logistics.

Congratulations! You have a reservation, now it’s time to meet with your group to discuss logistics and who is bringing what. Pro tip: create an online, shareable planning document that your whole group can reference and add to as needed. Use the planning session to decide who will prepare certain meals, who is willing to drive, and who can bring shareable equipment. 

🥘 Meals and food prep: Discuss a meal plan, grocery list, and food preferences. Assigning each meal to a specific person will reduce last-minute packing scrambles and  hungry evenings around the campfire. Keep in mind what food is perishable and what can be bought and stored ahead of time.

🚙 Transportation: Decide who wants to drive, how many people can fit in each car, and if the car needs a tune-up before a longer trip. If you're camping at a Minnesota state park, make sure the vehicle has a Minnesota state park vehicle permit.

📋 Equipment: Write a list of all the items you'll need and assign who'll bring them to avoid overpacking. Does someone have a camp stove? Who will bring utensils and plates? Group trips are most fun when everyone pitches in. If it’s your first camping trip, we have a camping supply checklist to start with. 

1 Week Before Your Stay

Test out equipment and begin packing non-perishable items.

🔦 Test equipment: What’s worse than a leaky air mattress? Not knowing you have a leaky air mattress until you wake up on the hard ground! One week before your camping trip, test your equipment and make note of any items that are running low or should be replaced. Run through key equipment bags such as tents to double check that poles and rainflies are in good condition. Be sure to test anything that requires batteries, such as headlamps, flashlights, and lanterns.

🌩️ Check the weather: Next, check your camping destination’s extended forecast. While the weather may still change before your arrival, knowing to pack a windbreaker, rain jacket, or extra sunscreen based on the forecast could be a game changer in comfort during your trip.

Other tasks you can check off your list one week out include purchasing non-perishable food items, checking the park’s website for visitor alerts, and seeing if the park has any scheduled events during your visit.

📷: Explore Minnesota Tourism, William O'Brien State Park

1 Day Before Your Stay

The final preparations for a smooth getaway.

Your adventure starts tomorrow — now’s the time to double-check lists to make sure everything goes smoothly once you arrive. A little preparation the day before means less stress — and more time to relax, explore, and enjoy your state park trip from the moment you arrive.

📲 Review and download: Double-check which campsite, cabin, or lodging option you booked. Note your site number or lodging name and check-in time.

Cell phone service may be limited along your route or at your destination. Saving a screenshot or printing your reservation confirmation can be helpful. This is also a good time to download the park map.

🚙 Pack up: Now’s the time to finish packing and make sure you have all the essentials, including perishable food. Lay everything out and do one last sweep: tent, bedding, clothing, food, cooking supplies, medications, a first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, and flashlights. Make sure you have batteries and chargers for gear that requires them. Prepping meals and organizing gear into labeled bins or bags can save time at camp and help you settle in faster.

If it’s your first camping trip, we have a camping supply checklist to start with.

⛅ Look for updates: Check the weather forecast one more time and make sure the clothing and footwear you have packed is still suitable. Lastly, before leaving home, visit the park’s website to look for visitor alerts. Trail closures, construction, fire restrictions, or water availability may affect your plans — and knowing ahead of time helps you avoid surprises.

Camping Confidence Starts Here 🏕️

Learn the basics from I Can Camp! 

If you’ve ever wanted to try camping but weren’t sure where to start, the I Can Camp! program is designed just for you. These guided overnight experiences introduce new campers to the basics—like pitching a tent, starting a campfire, and setting up a comfortable campsite—all with friendly instructors there to help along the way.

Anna Banker-Scannell, an outdoor recreation specialist with the I Can! program, spends much of her summer helping first-time campers discover just how approachable camping can be. Her biggest piece of advice? Don’t expect to learn everything all at once.

“Every time you go camping, you might learn something new,” Anna said. “You won’t learn it all at once.” Programs like I Can Camp! are built around that idea. Participants learn practical skills in a relaxed environment and gain confidence with each step—from inflating an air mattress to cooking over a camp stove. Along the way, Anna also shares simple tips that help new campers feel more comfortable outdoors. For example, bugs are part of the Minnesota experience, but a little preparation goes a long way. “The first thing I always tell brand new campers is to expect bugs,” Anna said. “The good news is you can prevent getting bit by mosquitoes and ticks with the same basic steps.” Staying on trails, using bug spray, and wearing long pants or socks when walking through tall grass can make a big difference. Another common concern for new campers is wildlife. While people sometimes worry about large animals, Anna says visitors are far more likely to see curious raccoons than anything else. Keeping a tidy campsite—storing food in vehicles overnight and placing trash in designated bins—helps keep wildlife at a distance. With a little guidance and preparation, many first-time campers quickly discover that a night outdoors is simpler—and more enjoyable—than they expected. If you’ve been curious about camping but haven’t taken the leap yet, I Can Camp! is a great way to get started. You’ll learn the basics, gain confidence, and experience the magic of a Minnesota evening under the stars.

Vote for Gitchi-Gami State Trail 

Minnesota state trail nominated for national contest.

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail has been nominated for Best Recreational Trail in the USA TODAY 10Best Reader's Choice Awards—and your vote can help bring the top spot to Minnesota!

Help us bring the title of Best Recreational Trail home. You can vote once per day through Monday, April 6. Vote for the Gitchi-Gami State Trail today!

New Fishing Pier at Cuyuna Country

Accessible design and trout fishing come together at Lake Portsmouth.

A new fishing pier on Lake Portsmouth at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is providing another way for visitors to enjoy shoreline fishing. The 64-foot pier was completed last fall and is the only shoreline fishing pier in the immediate area.

Funded through Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences), the $50,822 project improves access for anglers of all abilities. The pier meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards and connects to a new asphalt trail leading to the campground. It is also located about 200 yards from the Lake Portsmouth swimming beach, with the communities of Crosby and Ironton less than half a mile away.

Lake Portsmouth is one of several mine lakes in the recreation area that offer fishing opportunities. Many of these lakes are stocked with trout, giving anglers a chance to target species such as rainbow trout. Anglers fishing for trout in designated waters must have a valid Minnesota fishing license and trout stamp and should review current regulations before visiting.

Additional improvements are planned nearby, including a kayak launch scheduled for the upcoming season. The new pier adds to Minnesota’s network of more than 450 developed fishing piers and shoreline fishing sites, offering another welcoming place to cast a line.

I Can! Registration Opens This Friday

The 2026 I Can! program schedules are now available! Whether you’re interested in learning how to paddle, camp, fish, mountain bike or more, now is a great time to explore program dates and locations and start planning your outdoor adventures. Registration opens Friday, March 20, 2026, and popular programs can fill quickly. Reviewing the schedules in advance will help you choose your favorites and be ready to register as soon as spots become available.

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