Great beginner backpack campsite

The park has two backpack campsites along small pine lake.  It's an easy 1.5 mile hike to the camp site along flat trails.  The campsite is set back from the trail a good ways so you have complete privacy. There is a "shelter" for rain or snow as well as a fire pit, picnic table, bear locker, and a pit toilet.  The lake is easily accessible to filter water. 

We were two of the first groups allowed to camp once the MN DNR resumed camping during Covid-19, so many of the "perks" or the park, such as canoe renting, were not available. Also, the old fire tower is locked up and should not be climbed. 

We were there in late May and the mosquitos were HORRIBLE, despite it being colder and windier than average.

Seclusion -- but you have to work for it.

This park is great: it is secluded and quiet. 

You will have to work for these rewards. The trails are rugged and minimally maintained. There are some pretty drastic changes in elevation to navigate on some pretty challenging paths (roots, cliffs, mud, etc).  

This is def not a place for beginners.

Stayed at site 13 and loved it.  Pit toilet was near by with a great view of the trail (literally, if anyone walked by, they can see you). Water was easy to get to for filtering (do not try to carry water in.)

Downside: there was not a lot of suitable dead wood near by for fires. Too, if you're a star gazer the forest canopy will block your view of the skies. 

We were here in late June and the mosquitos weren't bad on the first two days; the third day we were eaten alive.  Bring appropriate clothing to protect from mosquitos and ticks (long pants and shirts) as well as repellant.  

I wouldn't camp past site 13: 14, 15, and 16 are along a dead-end trail that stretches for another 1.5 miles with many ascents and descents along the way: in short, making it more taxing to explore the rest of the park. If I were to stay at any of these, I would stay put for my time there.