DW & I are planning to visit the 2014 NDOG (National Dutch Oven Gathering) in Monticello, Iowa on Sept 13 and then take part in the Midwest Sportsmobile Group Rally in the Amana Colonies RV Park Sept 21. During this time we have a week to spend touring and both of us have always wanted to see Lake Itasca/head waters, start of the Mississippi as we are from St. Louis, MO.First off, what campgrounds do you all recommend and what's there to see/do. Campground preferences are: COE, National, Federal Parks first, State or Municipalities/county, or other government agencies, military famcamps, followed by private.Next set of guidelines: Driving no more than 4 hour per day and staying no more than 2-3 nights in one park (most of the time less). All parks must have showers and 15 amp electric, picnic table, and fire rings. Prefer parks with growies and trees between spaces and not a lot of open spaces. Privacy is really nice! Don't want to camp in an open field, cause we don't got no stinkin' satellite disk, nor even a TV for that matter. We want to CAMP, not park in a RV Park (not meant as a dig, just a guide).History, nature and local culture are things of interest to us, as well as is a tasty Burger & cold beer. Local food is always a plus on the information poll.By the way, we are in a B, so most size limitations/restrictions don't bother us.

I wouldn't go too far out of my way to see Lake Itasca and the start of the river. unless it is on your bucket list. bumpy

Garmp1 - we are very much alike in our camping preferences. My family and I totally enjoyed Lake Itasca, walking across the Mississippi Headwaters on the rocks, touring the lake in a boat, spending time in the nature center and participating with rangers on nature walks and nature lectures. Great drive through the "winderness" on the one-way loop. You can rent bicycles and ride around also if you wish (we didn't do that).You'll be coming up out of Iowa. You could spend your first night at the Helmer Myre Big Island State Park just South of Albert Lea, MN. We always camp in the White Fox campground but we like big sites with some isolation. The Big Island campground could work for your Class B but would be snug for our MH. That will be a 3 hr drive.In the morning, head up to the Kathio State Park. Again, nice sites, not far from Mille Lacs Lake, interesting historical exhibits (I enjoy native american history), and fun places to eat. Hiking trail all over (hike to the fire tower) and well maintained. That will be about a 3 hr drive from Big Island. This would be a good one or two day camp.Itasca State Park is another 3 hours away. You can easily spend a couple of days here. Take a side trip up to Bemidji and say hello to Paul Bunyon and Babe, his blue ox.Another three hours North and you'll be at Zipple Bay State Park. This is wilderness in comfort! See where that is on a map...very tip top of Minnesota. You'll be fine in your B. Nice sites, isolated, deep woods feeling, and sitting on the edge of the Lake of the Woods is a wonderful feeling. A day here relaxing would be well spent.Come back via Hibbing MN (great exibits there, check the Soudan mine, the Big Fire museum, etc).Jay Cooke State Park, South of Duluth could be another camping spot. Take a drive into Duluth/Superior. Train ride is great fun. I wish you'd have time to do the North Shore and visit state parks there (they are totally awesome).The St Croix State Park is a favorite of ours also. Nice hiking along the river but the sits are a bit more open than you might like.Come back along the Mississippi river and spend a night in Frontenac State Park high on the bluffs overlooking the river. Then continue on South. You'll have had a real nice opportunity to see various parts of Minnesota, very different terrain, and fun activities. Holler if you have any questions; I hope you totally enjoy your trip to Minnesota!(Bring DEET bug spray when you come. I have a refrigerator magnet my wife got me from a prior trip "up north". Big mosquito, napkin around his neck holding knife and fork in his hands, caption "Send more tourists, the last were delicious!")

Really good advice from Alfred. Try to do reservations in advance of your trip on the DNR state parks website, but if you can't get what you want, don't worry too much. All state parks are required to have campsites on a first come first served basis; no reservations. Just arrive early.And have fun!

Alfred622 wrote: (Bring DEET bug spray when you come. I have a refrigerator magnet my wife got me from a prior trip "up north". Big mosquito, napkin around his neck holding knife and fork in his hands, caption "Send more tourists, the last were delicious!")if coming South from Duluth on 23, stop at the bridge over Kettle River just south of Askov. there is a state parking area that was closed due to the mosquito problem. my kin lived in Askov. I remember in the early evening stepping out the back door and seeing the swarms of mosquitos rising up out of the grass to greet me. their lots backed up to a swampy area.bumpy

Listen to Alfred, not Bumpy.The mosquitos and black flies that Minnesota is noted for are largely gone by September, so no worries there. Itasca State Park is a great place, the Jewel of the MN State Park System. We camp there every year as the closer to our camping season in Late September/early October. Amazing that the mighty Mississippi is just a creek that you can cross in a couple of steps. The Wilderness drive in the park is a great drive and even better with a bike. You'll see the largest Red and White Pines in the state. They have a new Visitor Center with lots of displays, and the Douglas Lodge and restaurant is one of the oldest buildings in the park. Be sure to have a dinner there overlooking Lake Itasca. Lake Ozawindib is a great Bass fishing lake if you are into that. Climb the fire tower along wilderness drive for a great view of the countryside. There are many hiking trails, and a paved bike trail that runs the length of the park.There are two campgrounds at Itasca SP. If you like wooded sites, then choose pine Ridge campground. The other CG, Bear Paw, puts you closer to Lake Itasca, but it is more open, with few trees.

Iowa/Minnesota trip help | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

garmp
Explorer II
Sep 02, 2014
Thanks for all the great info. Unfortunately, we have to cancel our plans as I came down with a strange kidney disease and it sort shot all our travel plans in the butt for a while. I have this thread marked for future reference and hope to put it to good use when the time comes. Not posting for sympathy but to say thanks for all the input and terrific info. Greatly appreciated!
MinnCamper
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
stetwood wrote:
About 2 hours west of Itasca State Park is Hibbing, the home of open pit iron mines.

W or E?
bumpy

It would be East. Itasca is our favorite state park and we camp there are least once a year.

September is our favorite time of year to camp in Minnesota. The temps are a little cool, it's quieter, the mosquitos are gone and a fire at night feels wonderful.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
stetwood wrote:
About 2 hours west of Itasca State Park is Hibbing, the home of open pit iron mines.

W or E?
bumpy
stetwood
Explorer
Aug 26, 2014
About 2 hours west of Itasca State Park is Hibbing, the home of open pit iron mines.
cinharover
Explorer
Aug 26, 2014
If you're near Mason City, the Margaret MacNider City Park was great. FHU, immaculate restrooms, and there's some interesting stuff to look at in downtown Mason City--lots of Frank Lloyd Wright bldgs, "Music Man" museum--but the park itself is quite large, great for biking and walking.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014
And while in the Amana Colonies, make sure to visit the Furniture Shop where you can watch them make Grandfather Clocks. Also stop by the Meat Shop to fill up your fridge with yummy stuff to grill and visit one of the many restaurants in the Colonies - my favorite is the Ox Yoke Inn, but you can't go wrong.

Tim
agb2529
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
garmp1 wrote:
Thank ya all for the info. Very helpful and several places we never thought of that sound very interesting. Is there enough in the area of Itasca SP to spend 3 days? Maybe a day trip to Bemidji and the Paul Bunyon/Babe statue and a tasteful lunch of a burger (or local favorite) and a beer.
What we generally like to plan for our trips is like a large circle. Say up the eastern route and return via the western. Local food is always a focal point, as is history and scenery.

thank again for the help.

We've been to Itasca a number of times when our kids were at Concordia Language Village outside of Bemidji and had no problem staying entertained for almost 2 weeks. Plenty to do in the park between the headwaters, the visitor centers, the bike & hiking trails, ranger programs (although those may be reduced in September), visiting all of the CCC buildings in the park, etc. For dining in the park, the Douglas Lodge has a nice restaurant in a beautiful historic building. For more local dining and history, Park Rapids to the south and Dorset ("Restaurant Capital of the World" - based on per capita, since the official population is 22!) just east of Park Rapids are both great choices, nice bike trail connecting the 2. Bemidji is a bit farther away (45 min) but also has a lot to offer. We also liked Lake Bemidji State Park, a lot smaller than Itasca but a good base for doing things in Bemidji. If you have time to explore the more eastern part of northern Minnesota, Soudan Underground Mine State Park and the rest of the area around Ely and Hibbing have a lot as well.

Soudan Underground Mine
garmp
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2014
Thank ya all for the info. Very helpful and several places we never thought of that sound very interesting. Is there enough in the area of Itasca SP to spend 3 days? Maybe a day trip to Bemidji and the Paul Bunyon/Babe statue and a tasteful lunch of a burger (or local favorite) and a beer.
What we generally like to plan for our trips is like a large circle. Say up the eastern route and return via the western. Local food is always a focal point, as is history and scenery.

thank again for the help.
likesadvice
Explorer
Jun 23, 2014
Consider Campers Paradise in Nevis, Minnesota. A short drive to Itasca and the novelty of camping on an island. A causeway was built to drive to the island many years ago. A fantastic camping experience.
dewey02
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
minn camping family wrote:
mosquitoes so bad you could not sit outside even with DEET).

you must be mistaken. previously I was assured that mosquitoes were no problem in MN.
bumpy

You should actually read a post before commenting or responding.
The OP said they are planning to visit Itasca State Park in mid-September. My response was that the mosquitos that Minnesota is noted for should not be a problem by mid-September. As the summer moves on, and things dry out, the mosquito hatches lessen each month. And by mid-September, there is usually a frost or near frost in Northern MN, which even further reduces the bugs. We have camped at Itasca SP in September and October for the past several years and have not had any problems with mosquitos.
Note that in my original response to the OP, I acknowledge that MN is noted for mosquitos, but not at the time they will be visiting. I live here, so I am well aware of how bad they can be in spring and early summer, and this year is especially bad.

Regarding your posts:
If you are trying to be humorous, you are not.
If you are trying to help the OP, you are giving incorrect information.