best time to camp in Minnesota?
Jan 3rd, 2008, 04:07 PM
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best time to camp in Minnesota?
I have never been to Minnesota and want to start some planning for our 2008 camping adventure of the North Woods. What is the best summer month to camp, least amount of bugs, etc..
Favorite state parks to visit???
Favorite state parks to visit???
Jan 3rd, 2008, 04:16 PM
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I'm a huge fan of the parks in the Arrowhead -- especially along the North Shore of Lake Superior.
The scenery is fantastic -- easily the best in the Midwest -- and cool lake breezes not only make sleeping easier on hot summer nights, but often help keep the bugs down.
http://www.northshorevisitor.com/state-parks/
It's fairly tame stuff. If you want something wilder, look into a Boundary Waters canoe trip out of Ely.
The scenery is fantastic -- easily the best in the Midwest -- and cool lake breezes not only make sleeping easier on hot summer nights, but often help keep the bugs down.
http://www.northshorevisitor.com/state-parks/
It's fairly tame stuff. If you want something wilder, look into a Boundary Waters canoe trip out of Ely.
Jan 3rd, 2008, 04:21 PM
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We camped there once in late August. The mosquitoes were truly unbearable (and I am NOT a wimp).
They drove through the campground with a fogger on a truck spraying pesticide -- and I was pregnant!
I'm not sure what campground we are at - but I might be able to figure it out if I worked on it.
They drove through the campground with a fogger on a truck spraying pesticide -- and I was pregnant!
I'm not sure what campground we are at - but I might be able to figure it out if I worked on it.
Jan 3rd, 2008, 09:04 PM
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Can you give some more info? When you say "camping adventure of the North Woods" that could mean different things to different people.
What are you looking to do - sit back and relax or go out and do some activities, and what kind and how strenuous? How far north are you willing to travel, and are you flying in or driving to MN?
Do you want a campground where your car is right next to your site, or are you willing to backpack or cart your stuff a ways? There are a number of state parks that have backpack sites fairly close to the parking area (some less than a half mile walk) and some parks have 2-wheel carts to haul stuff to your site. Those are fairly close to the parking area as well, but still give more privacy than the typical campground.
As for the best summer month, if you go by the season and not the calendar I'd say September. But if you're looking at June, July or August it's more of a toss-up. The bugs are probably worse in June/July, but August is likely to be more hot/humid. If you pick a place like repete suggested near Lake Superior, the breeze should help with the bugs and heat. But the North Shore tends to be crawling with people in summer, so if you're looking for something quieter that's probably not a great choice.
What are you looking to do - sit back and relax or go out and do some activities, and what kind and how strenuous? How far north are you willing to travel, and are you flying in or driving to MN?
Do you want a campground where your car is right next to your site, or are you willing to backpack or cart your stuff a ways? There are a number of state parks that have backpack sites fairly close to the parking area (some less than a half mile walk) and some parks have 2-wheel carts to haul stuff to your site. Those are fairly close to the parking area as well, but still give more privacy than the typical campground.
As for the best summer month, if you go by the season and not the calendar I'd say September. But if you're looking at June, July or August it's more of a toss-up. The bugs are probably worse in June/July, but August is likely to be more hot/humid. If you pick a place like repete suggested near Lake Superior, the breeze should help with the bugs and heat. But the North Shore tends to be crawling with people in summer, so if you're looking for something quieter that's probably not a great choice.
Jan 4th, 2008, 06:35 AM
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We're also big fans of the North Shore. Repete gave you a good web site and you can't go wrong with any of the parks listed. We've never had a problem with bugs etc along the North Shore and have been in every month from June - Sept.
That hasn't been true in the interior, which is what I'd refer to as the North Woods, including the BWCA (the area known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Assn.) which stretches from east of International Falls along the Canadian border. It can be much warmer than the North Shore and our experience was that the bugs in Aug were merciless. (There's a good reason they say the mosquito is the state bird of Minn.). If you're going in this part of the state, I'd suggest June, maybe July.
That hasn't been true in the interior, which is what I'd refer to as the North Woods, including the BWCA (the area known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Assn.) which stretches from east of International Falls along the Canadian border. It can be much warmer than the North Shore and our experience was that the bugs in Aug were merciless. (There's a good reason they say the mosquito is the state bird of Minn.). If you're going in this part of the state, I'd suggest June, maybe July.
Jan 4th, 2008, 07:24 AM
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I have to comment on the August bug comments. 
It's pretty well-known that mosquitoes and black flies (the 2 worst bugs) peak in mid-June. Black flies are pretty much gone in a couple of weeks, but mosquitoes will be around all summer. By mid to late August though, the mosquitoes are dropping off. I don't know details of the previous posters experiences, but it sounds like they're basing the August bug recommendations on one trip to a certain area, and that doesn't really help when comparing months.
It's pretty well-known that mosquitoes and black flies (the 2 worst bugs) peak in mid-June. Black flies are pretty much gone in a couple of weeks, but mosquitoes will be around all summer. By mid to late August though, the mosquitoes are dropping off. I don't know details of the previous posters experiences, but it sounds like they're basing the August bug recommendations on one trip to a certain area, and that doesn't really help when comparing months.
Jan 7th, 2008, 08:33 PM
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We just started planning a 6 day canoe trip out of Ely from Aug 1-7. We are from San Francisco and do a lot of outdoors activities in California where bugs and mosquitos are rarely a problem. In fact I forget about them since I have been here 20+ years. Sounds like this may be a very bad time for a trip there unless we want to get eaten alive?
Jan 8th, 2008, 03:39 AM
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Living year around in Minnesota, the northern part to boot, we get to see plenty of insects. We ask about how bad they are when we are about to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and invariably we hear that they are pretty bad. Then we go on our canoe trip and find very few insects and wonder why the reports say there are so many.
If you stay up to watch the sunset and sit around a campfire until after dark, yes you will find out how bad the mosquitoes are. We go to bed early and get up early and don't get bitten much, at least to our standards. I have noticed a distinct lack of biting insects in other parts of the US which makes people visiting Minnesota think this area is terrible.
If you stay up to watch the sunset and sit around a campfire until after dark, yes you will find out how bad the mosquitoes are. We go to bed early and get up early and don't get bitten much, at least to our standards. I have noticed a distinct lack of biting insects in other parts of the US which makes people visiting Minnesota think this area is terrible.
Jan 8th, 2008, 09:04 AM
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Thanks. I have to admit that part of the appeal is watching sunsets and sitting around the campfire! Is it your experience that it is significantly better in September? We don't want to pick the absolute worst time to go and do have some flexibility. I grew up in the midwest, so I am familiar with mosquitos, and am a little surprised to find how used to not having them I have gotten and how little I look forward to their presence in the parts of days that I like!
Jan 8th, 2008, 02:11 PM
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If you just want to camp and not be bothered by the bugs you can camp in the Municipal campground in Grand Marais, MN which is right on the water and bugs are not nearly as bad as deep in the woods. Many people go there and it is a lovely location and a neat little town. You can find tons of hiking trails, etc. in the near vicinity.
Jan 8th, 2008, 02:19 PM
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We went to Lake Superior...intended to hike at one of the beautiful parks....we knew we were in trouble when we got out of the car in the sunshine, by the lake, middle of the day and we were instantly COVERED with mosquitoes. All the stores were out of bug spray. We finally paid a guy a buck to spray our legs!
And the black flies!
My inlaws have a lake home in Minnesota and even though it is beautiful up there, the bugs just take away all the enjoyment for me.
And the black flies!
My inlaws have a lake home in Minnesota and even though it is beautiful up there, the bugs just take away all the enjoyment for me.
Jan 8th, 2008, 09:22 PM
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We went on a rafting trip on the Green River in Utah one year and there were two nights where all we could do was eat as quickly as possible and spend the evening and night in our tents. I would not like to repeat that so I think we should think aobut going later in the fall. Hate to feel like such a wimp, but if I can optimize the season we have the flexibility to do that.
Jan 8th, 2008, 11:27 PM
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We're not campers, but if bugs are a big concern, I'd be inclined to follow Cali's advice. First of all, she's an expert on that area. And secondly, my experience, while minimal, indicates that she's right.
We spent three nights in Grand Marais this past July. We sat out on the balcony of our hotel room each evening and didn't see a single mosquito. But the evening that we drove out the Gunflint Trail and took a short hike looking for moose, we saw, heard and felt hordes of mosquitoes!
I strongly agree with all of those who've said the North Shore is wonderful. Every one of the state parks we visited there was beautiful.
We spent three nights in Grand Marais this past July. We sat out on the balcony of our hotel room each evening and didn't see a single mosquito. But the evening that we drove out the Gunflint Trail and took a short hike looking for moose, we saw, heard and felt hordes of mosquitoes!
I strongly agree with all of those who've said the North Shore is wonderful. Every one of the state parks we visited there was beautiful.
Jan 9th, 2008, 04:49 AM
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September might be an excellent time to camp,....or it might not. In the past (in my lifetime) we could expect a frost hard enough to kill most mosquitoes or sent them into hibernation around Labor Day. In the past few year this frost hasn't be happening until sometime in October. This delayed frost coupled with the (I think this is right) 7 varieties of mosquito that breed in different habitats at different parts of the season has made outdoor activities in the fall a bit different than in the past.
If we get a hard frost (mid to lower 20's) in early September, then September is wonderful for camping. Otherwise it's just another month in the summer. If you happen to choose to camp and we get an exceptional frost, you may be shivering.
If we get a hard frost (mid to lower 20's) in early September, then September is wonderful for camping. Otherwise it's just another month in the summer. If you happen to choose to camp and we get an exceptional frost, you may be shivering.
Jan 9th, 2008, 08:11 PM
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Thanks for calling me an expert CAPH. Don't know if I am an expert but I do love the whole North Shore and we do go there several times a year and know lots of people who live there. Hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year to you!!
Jan 9th, 2008, 11:38 PM
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Gooseberry Falls State Park, 3206 Highway 61, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
On the NS. Awesome!
Thinking of planning a trip out of Ely this summer myself. I love the BWCA. The bugs at night do sound like electricity though.
Bring the bug spray with you.
On the NS. Awesome!
Thinking of planning a trip out of Ely this summer myself. I love the BWCA. The bugs at night do sound like electricity though.
Bring the bug spray with you.
Jan 22nd, 2008, 12:24 PM
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Lake Superior is the best. You should be prepared for some biting insects anytime between May through August. It can vary day to day and depends on exactly where you are at. It's usually more clear where there is a wind but, the lower areas can be buzzing with bugs.
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