Campsites still available at some Minnesota state parks for Memorial weekend (May 20, 2008)
There are still opportunities to reserve a campsite at a Minnesota state park this Memorial Holiday weekend, but the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges people to make that reservation soon.
“Memorial weekend traditionally is one of the biggest camping weekends in Minnesota state parks,” said Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation.
Reservations at many parks already are full for Friday and Saturday night, he added, but are still available at a number of Minnesota state parks in the northwest (Red River State Recreation Area, Lake Bronson, Zippel Bay, Hayes Lake and Old Mill) and parks in other areas of the state (Lake Bemidji in Bemidji, Scenic in Bigfork, Schoolcraft in Deer River and Lake Shetek in Currie).
Sites at all state parks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, even at the parks where reservations are full. Campers should arrive early if they hope to get a site, especially at the busiest parks. And while Friday and Saturday nights are heavily booked this year, openings remain for Sundays and Mondays.
State parks in various locations host free Friday- and Saturday -night programs and events, including musical entertainment, nature hikes, train ride or canoe ride in a 10-person canoe. Geocaching is also popular.
“We will also have geocaching demonstration programs at three parks, Lake Bemidji, Lake Carlos and Upper Sioux, to teach visitors how to use GPS receivers as part of the new Minnesota State Park Geocaching History Challenge program presented by Best Buy. The program was launched earlier this month and is attracting lots of good comments and participation from the public.”
For more information, visit
www.mmnstateparks.info or to check out the availablility
of overnight camping and lodging, visit
www.stayatmnparks.com or call 1-866-857-2757.
