Fall camping Minnesota?

Having lived in that exact area the past 10 years, I could not recommend October. I have had to break ice in October with my canoe. I have also seen temps drop 20 deg in a few minutes when the wind switches and comes out of the East. Also the GM CG closes in mid Oct. Many seasonals are parked there permanently, but they are winterized and no hookups are available. Sept and early Oct would be safest and I am not sure about that, especially any part of late Sept and Oct!

One of the reasons we moved south was we did not like having to cut the fall trip short hoping we could still get home in mid Oct. I would rethink the timing. Northern WI and the UP of Michigan might be a bit more forgiving during that time and just as pretty.

We camp that time of year with an electric blanket and a space heater for just in case. I might also take antifreeze along. Do not bother taking shorts and tank tops.
And we have camped in snow several times.
PS Do not forget long underwear.
We plan on spending most of October camping in Northern Michigan.

September will definitely be your better month, but I love it in October up there. Tettagouche State Park and Temperance River state park are open year round and I know the Campground in Grand Marais is as well. That however does not include the dump stations.
Also keep in mind that the weather along the shore can be quite a bit cooler than if you go a mile or so inland from the lake. or vice versa.

My last trip to the Lake Superior shore (Michigan U.P.) in autumn was late August 2004, and it was wet part of the time, below 50s most of the time. As a Michigan native and four season camper, I was accustomed to that, but I think it might be cooler than what you are expecting.

But it is really hard to predict, the Superior shore can have glorious Indian Summer days well into September, though October might be pushing it. The past couple of years have seen October snowfalls much further south than the Superior shore.

While it's pretty and worth doing. You won't find many facilities open in Oct. and some getting ready to close in mid Sept. It gets pretty cold up there in the Fall. You might consider dry camping and using one of the dump stations along I-35 on the way home. There's a very nice free dump at the Holiday station next to MacDonalds on the top of the hill on I-35.

B.O.

Do keep in mind the state parks close their dump stations mid October. May be difficult to find drinking water and dump tanks. Call ahead many places are buttoning up things before they freeze.

We do a lot of our camping in N. MN during that time. And we live here year round.
Most times very enjoyable and great weather, but a few times it has gotten pretty cold at night.
Never had any problem with freezing pipes though.

You're pushing the weather envelope a little with your desires, but not too much. Just assume that it will be at or a bit below your minimums.

For fall color, see here: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html

The DNR predicts that this year will be right at about average for timing, except in the far NE, where it has been dry, so may be a little early.

If you are going to that area to enjoy the fall colors, you might want to go earlier than you've planned. Peak season is usually mid September to early October. The weather is unpredictable, bring clothes for both summer and light weight winter clothes. Pack rain gear, too. it is beautiful country!

If you plan on it being the coldest average, you won't be disappointed.
Can be anywhere from nice to terrible.