Hayes Lake State Park Campground

I think this place is wonderfully scenic and the lake is so pretty. I like it is limited boating and really made for the kayak sort of paddling. The water is very high this year and the mosquitoes are out in force. Also, there is zero cell service and if you are right parked at the office, you could get on their free wifi which is likely what I will have to do for work. I put my starlink on the roof of the van but the service is horrible and even though I changed to most exposed spot, it isn't enough. The office staff was very nice but I will likely need to unplug and commute out to work.

Stayed here for a night during the week and the sites a little further from the main bathroom are VERY private. Stayed in site 9 which had one good set of trees for hanging a hammock. There was a picnic table and fire ring and I couldn’t see any other sites. Took a quick walk along the lake and it was gorgeous. Will definitely bring my kayak next time. It’d you’re looking for a private site, close to a vault toilet with a lot of trees 7 looked like a good one. Flush toilets and showers available, vault toilets as well for the sites further from the main bathroom. Drinking water available. Weak cell service. Overall a lovely park.

Sites were well spaced, quiet, newer vault toilets. Ticks were bad as well as flys and bees, be prepared

This park is a quiet oasis in northern MN. The campground was clean and pretty empty. Heard wolves!!!

The walk-in sites here are so good I almost don't want to spill the secret. There's just two sites, far from the main campsite and everything else, and spaced decently far apart from each other. They're nestled in quiet pine groves on a ridge overlooking the lake. The lake is electric motors only, so it's peaceful all the time. The sites are spacious and flat, and there are excellent hammock possibilities.

A few things to know: it's a bit of a walk from the parking spaces, at least a quarter mile, but there was a single cart provided when we were there. There are no bear boxes, so you're on your own for protecting your food from critters. And while the sites are on the lake, there's not great water access. The lakeshore is down a slightly treacherous slope from the sites, and the reeds and sediment along shore would make it a nuisance to gather drinking water. You're probably better off filling up at the main campground and carting your water in. I doubt it would be great swimming from shore either, though I'm sure you could make it work if you were determined.

Campsites secluded bathrooms were closed when we visited so only vault toilets were open. Mosquitos in this whole are were thick definitely plan on bringing A LOT of bug spray if going in the summer.

The drive in upper Minnesota is always amazing and to get here you have to climb to the northern parts of Minnesota but it is totally worth it.

The campground is pretty well maintained considering it is a state park and minnesota has thousands. The roads are not all paved but the ones that’s aren’t are in good condition.

Loop A is non electric and has some campers with solar panels and generators. Loop b has electric. The campsites are adequate but nothing amazing and the pine forest allows you to see your neighbors. The flies and mosquitos are pretty numerous so you have to be ware.

The campground has a decent boat dock and canoes can be rented. The picnic and beach are are huge and very perfect for a hot summers day.

The real secret of this campground are the walk-in sites and cabin B. Super secluded with views of the lake! When I come back I’ll be in the walk in sites for sure!

We stayed here in a camper cabin in late fall.  We were the only people in the park.  The ranger was wonderful when we called to reserve the cabin.  He made sure we had a few bundles of wood to cook dinner on in our cabin and he made sure that the cabin was open and ready for us.  We hiked in the park and saw how beautiful the scenery is.  Northern MN is amazing!

Our campsite was very spacious and I was impressed with how tidy the entire park was! The trail was nice and shady with nice interpretive signage. Bathrooms were very clean! They have a beach and lots of rentals to take out on the lake. Quiet hours were well abided by.

While the park is honestly just so-so when it comes to hiking, the cart-in site is one of the best I have ever been to.

A short and easy cart trip to just stunning lakeside sites. The site was totally private and not visible from our parking spot. It was buggy though, so be warned into late August the bugs were thick!