travelin4
Minnesota
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Quote:State parks get my vote. I heard Flandreau SP near New Ulm has a new swimming area, anybody check it out?
We just stayed at Flandrau State Park in New Ulm this past July. We weren't much for state parks as we like water hook ups (we did have electric hookup sites), but the bathrooms, showers we clean, we made due. Nice clean campground. The pool was immaculate-filtered, chlorinated, nice sand bottom pool with beach area around it with lifeguards. Only down fall is the pool and the play ground were a bit a way from the campsite. We'd load up our truck with lunches, sand toys, lawn chairs etc, and go park down by the pool for the day. It wasn't that big of deal but for those of you who haven't been there-just an FYI. In that state park, we did do a lot of hiking, my kids saw many deer that weekend, they thought that was neat. One saw a bald ealge, and some pretty cool looking flowers. So-you make state parks what you want of it.
Anyone else experience any other family friendly campgrounds in MN? Keep the suggestions coming, as one of our favorites was flooded this past weekend in South Eastern MN(Lazy D).  We wish them well and hope they are able to rebuild soon.
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MinnCamper
Minnesota
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Ringhand – We are opposite type of campers. We couldn’t stand going to places like Kieslers. Did that once and every one was crawling all over each other the sites were so close. What do kids do at state parks? They use their imagination. They swim, bike and yes hike. Many state parks have naturalist centers and programs they put on during the weekends. Our daughters did the junior naturalist program when they were little. We’ve also seen some great wildlife – Moose, bear, deer, bald eagles, raccoons and even a red fox walking down the road in the campground at Bear Head SP.
Soundslikefun – Quality of time with my family is important which is why we’ve almost used the state parks exclusively. When we’ve been at private parks the kids are running all over the place and the parents are no where to be found. We have a 32 foot 5th wheel and have had no problem getting sites in the state parks.
I grew up camping in the Minnesota State Parks. My parents were one of the first people to visit all of the parks. Even as a kid I didn’t care to go to the private parks because the seasonal never made us feel very welcome. I guess it’s a good thing Minnesota has lots of camping alternatives. We like to camp to enjoy peace and quiet, nature, relaxing and getting some good outdoor exercise.
Shelly & Brad
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soundslikefun
GL, MN (near spoon lake)
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MinnCamper wrote:Soundslikefun – Quality of time with my family is important which is why we’ve almost used the state parks exclusively. When we’ve been at private parks the kids are running all over the place and the parents are no where to be found.
I guess it's all in the CG choice. We did find that at places like Kamp Dells, but not at all at our favorites. We chose Hilltop CG (soon to be Windsong CG) in Ogilvie because of the activities available as well as the fact it did not appear the inmates were running the asylum like at Kamp Dells or many KOA's we've been to.
MinnCamper wrote:We have a 32 foot 5th wheel and have had no problem getting sites in the state parks.
I'm just going by the Woodalls book listings. When we had a 19'tt there were no problems. Once we picked up this 34' one, the CGs with sites available to hold us dropped dramatically, especially if we wanted hookups.
Mike
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Come visit Minnesota. More shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.
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GMCWAYNE
Minnesota
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ringhand wrote:I'm anxious to try Beaver Trails next year. We were there last year and it needed a lot of fixing up. They got new owners this year, so I'm anxious to see what they have done because it had a lot of potential. Give me feedback if you were there this year.
We live in Austin and have been to beavertrails twice so far this year. We will be going there again labor day weekend. I have talked to the new owner. They have big plans to improve the park. It will however take some time. The owner said he wants to add enough attractions to make the campground a destination place and be full everyday. They have plans to add a second pool with slides, not sure on the date it will be completed. Also they put a new fence around the pool and added new patio furniture.
Other than that I have not noticed any real significant changes this year from previous years except that the new owners are alot more laid back and not such sticklers on the rules like the previous owners were. Beavertrails is not exactly my first choice in campgrounds but my kids really like it and it is close to home.
If you have anymore questions about beavertrails I would be happy to answer them, and I will know more after labor day.
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ringhand
Minnesota
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GMCWAYNE, Thanks for the Feedback on Beaver Trails. I'll have to try it next year.
As for the rest of you. You have given me enough to think about trying a State Park next year. Thanks.
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snocrossmechanic
Minnesota
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I would encourage you to try a state park also. I recommend Kathio State Park near Mille Lacs if you want a relaxed quiet time. The offer peace and quiet (and a few deer that hag out near the road) and thats about it.
I have to agree with the post about the RV length and the SP's. We had a 27 foot 5er and had no problems. Now a 36 foot toy hauler does limit the spots a bit but we seem to find one when we need to.
One bit of advice. The MN state parks take reservations 90 days in advance. To get a nice spot, or a busy weekend, you need to book on that 90th day. It seems there are other around that like the SP too.
Best of luck and choose to camp where YOU want to. We have found many places our "camping buddies" like we don't and they say the same. Everyone else .....keep disliking the SP's that way I can have more sites available...lol
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Kings
Elgin, MN
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One other thing about the MN state parks that some people don't know is that not all of their sites can be reserved ahead of time. I work with a couple people that sometime head over to Whitewater SP (before the flood) during lunch on Thursday and get a site for the weekend without having reservations. Keep in mind that this probably won't help you much if you are trying to do it on a Friday afternoon.
Kent, Barb, Amber and Shane
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ctcjason
MN
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tlieder wrote:This one is by Lake Mille Lacs--very family oriented. www.petesretreat.com
We love Pete's Retreat! We have made that our new seasonal home!!! Very nice, clean and large sites!
Where about are you going to be camping in MN?
* This post was
edited 08/29/07 07:40pm by ctcjason *
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ringhand
Minnesota
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I have to agree. Petes Retreat is great. We were there last year!
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fireguy60
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/26/2006
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soundslikefun wrote:
fireguy60 wrote:
... but, you do support the Minnesota economy by staying at them.
I was unaware that money spent at private campgrounds went overseas. I was under the impression that the CG owners spent it within their community.
My faux pas...
I meant the fees collected at State Parks are used to preserve and manage Minnesota's natural, scenic and cultural resources, not private business.
This debate could go on forever, it's personal preference. I guess if I were going to sit in the air conditioning and watch a DVD while I made popcorn in the microwave, I could just stay home!!! lol!
fireguy60
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