justnorth posted on October 28, 2007 23:50 :: 1624 Views
Although most state park visitors associate camping with the season that runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Chuck Kartak, deputy director of Minnesota state parks, reminds people that excellent camping opportunities are available in state parks during the fall hunting seasons.
“Most Minnesota state park campgrounds remain open throughout the fall,” said Kartak. “They provide a great base of operations from which hunters can explore area wildlife management areas, waterfowl production areas, and state and national forests in search of wily ringnecks, migrating waterfowl, ruffed grouse and woodcock, as well as deer.”
Beginning Nov. 1, all camping at state parks is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For current information on the seasonal availability of showers or modern bathroom facilities, people can check information for individual parks at www.mnstateparks.info. Once the shower buildings in the campground are closed for the season, rustic rates of either $15 or $12 per night apply.
“In addition to our regular campsites for an overnight stay in the park, some parks have camper cabins available, especially during mid-week,” Kartak said. The heated cabins can be welcome for drying out gear after a long day in the marsh, field or forest.”
Autumn is also a favorite time of year for outdoor enthusiasts and for those who actively seek activities to help keep them fit - mentally and physically to explore state parks. Kartak reminds visitors in the fall and winter, hikers, bikers, hunters and anglers should be ready for weather from 70-degree days to snowy 20-degree nights.
Kartak offered the following suggestions for hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts looking for great places to stay during the coming season.
NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA
Big Bog State Recreation Area (Waskish) offers overnight accommodations in the campground and camper cabins where visitors will enjoy excellent fall fishing on Upper Red Lake for northern, walleye and crappies. Numerous grouse and waterfowl hunting opportunities exist nearby. At Itasca State Park (Park Rapids) exceptional accommodations are available in the park’s campgrounds and the Itasca Suites that include kitchen facilities. Fall fishing for walleye and muskie in the park is excellent. There are thousands of acres of state and county lands in the area near the park for hunting grouse, deer and waterfowl. Overnight facilities at Glacial Lakes State Park (Starbuck) include camping and two camper cabins. Visitors should experience good fishing in Mountain Lake inside the park and on Lake Minnewaska just a few miles down the road. Excellent pheasant and waterfowl hunting also are available nearby.
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Bear Head Lake State Park (Ely) offers excellent camping with electric sites, a camper cabin and a guest house available for overnight accommodations. There is excellent fall fishing on Bear Head and Eagle Nest Lake for walleye, northern pike and crappie. Numerous grouse and deer hunting opportunities exist on state and national forest lands. Scenic State Park (Bigfork) has camping with electric sites, a one-bedroom cabin, excellent fall fishing for walleye northern and crappie in the park and hunting for grouse on nearby state and national forest lands in the area. Savanna Portage State Park (McGregor) offers camping, a camper cabin and a Garni Lake cabin. Fishing in Shumway and Wolf lakes inside the park and on Big Sandy Lake just a few miles down the road can provide good action. Grouse hunting has been on the upswing nearby on state forest land.
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Sibley State Park near Willmar is located in the heart of the pothole region that offers great fishing and hunting for ducks, geese and pheasants. Visit the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center while camping at the park on the shores of Lake Andrew. Lac qui Parle State Park (Montevideo) with its wetlands is a great waterfowl migration area that can offer hunting opportunities. Fishing can also be great this time of year. Big Stone Lake (Ortonville) and Camden (Lynd) state parks are located in the heart of the pheasant range and provide quality campsites. Lake Shetek State Park (Currie) offers great camping and fishing in a beautiful lake setting plus biking opportunities on the trail that connects to the community of Currie. Blue Mounds State Park (Luverne) is always special with the chance to see their resident bison herd in the beauty of a fall setting on the prairie. Some duck and pheasant hunting is available in that area.
CENTRAL MINNESOTA
Mille Lacs Kathio (Onamia) and Father Hennepin (Isle) both have overnight facilities available in their campgrounds and camper cabins. Hunting opportunities are available nearby at the Mille Lacs Wildlife Area, one of the largest wildlife management areas in the state, and the Rum River State Forest, especially good for grouse and deer. At Wild River (Center City), Interstate (Taylors Falls) and William O’Brien (Marine on St. Croix) state parks, all located along the St. Croix River, fall fishing is a big draw. Camping is available at all the parks. In addition, William O’Brien and Wild River have camper cabins for rent. Mississippi River Valley parks in southeastern Minnesota also offer great fishing opportunities and exceptional waterfowl hunting in the backwaters. Parks with great camping accommodations include Great River Bluffs (Winona), Frontenac (Frontenac) and Beaver Creek Valley (Caledonia) state parks.
For more information about state park accommodations, activities and programs, visit www.mnstateparks.info.
“Minnesota state parks are open year round,” said Kartak. “Visitors are welcome during every season of the year.”
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