Lily Springs Regenerative Farm

I’m willing to declare this the best hipcamp site within a couple hours of the twin cities. Most hipcamp sites are not my scene at all, since they generally seem to be in a random unmowed part of someone’s land. It combines the things that I like about the stereotypical hipcamp listing(farm animals of some sort and enough privacy) with things that the stereotypical hipcamp site doesn’t offer(mowed grass and not being in someone’s backyard). I really recommend that you check out their website and instagram, since it gives you a bigger picture of what the farm consists of beyond just a place to spend the night. They are heavy into permaculture. You can buy fresh or frozen produce off of their site, as well as CBD infused products that they make with hemp that they grow themselves. I didn’t get to see their farm area since it didn’t seem to be connected to the farmhouse(available on airbind)/campsite part of the property, but their aerial shots of it are gorgeous. Once normal life resumes I would love to participate in some of their educational opportunities! Onto the site review! Both the White Pine Meadow and the Lakeside Serenity sites are amazing and large. We wound up staying at the Lakeside site, which has a nice view of Mud Lake and one of the herds of goats. You park your car where the gravel driveway ends, and you have the choice to set up your tent down by the lake or in the upper area which is more by the goats. Be prepared to make multiple trips back and forth between your car and your campsite. The fire ring had plentiful stacks of firewood closeby, and there was also an electrical outlet(which was an unexpected surprise!) The mosquito situation was very good, we never even went into our screen house that we had set up just in case it was mosquito misery. There is a designated(and clean!) portapotty for each campsite, the lakeside one ais on the other side of the goat enclosure. It was close enough for daytime trips, but I wish it was closer for middle of the night visits. While the Lakeside site was serene, walking into the White Pine Meadow campsite felt magical. Also buggy. The pines tower over you, and the understory is full of beautiful ferns. The site is mowed, but we still managed to pick up one tick walking through the trail that leads to it. There is actually some educational tick materials in an informational binder that is located in a little structure by the parking spot for the lakeside spot. If you are sad that you aren’t by the goat pen, don’t worry because there is a second herd of goats(and their guard dog) that overlook this site. I would definitely recommend all sorts of bug survival gear to make your life less slappy if you are camping at this site in the summer. Random notes: The lake is pretty, but I’m picky and chose not to swim in it. The goats are friendly and are quiet once it starts to get dark. A goat tender comes twice a day to feed the goats, I’m not sure what staff activity levels are like during the weekdays. I wish that I hada brought ear plugs because there was a fair amount of noisy wildlife activity during the night.