Taking son camping

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

I know its probably a lot to ask for but anyone know a good place to take my son camping within an hour and a half that has water access from the campsite? Did the Baker park thing a couple times last year which was fun but trying to figure out if there are any good camping places around here that have water access on the camp site? Basically looking for something similar to Kabetogama where you can boat to a camping site but without the drive. I would just be going for 1-2 days midweek so cant justify the 6 hour car ride up north for it. Not sure if there is anything like that around here but figured I'd ask.

thanks

[Acemac]

st Croix state park maybe?

[walleyewild]

Mille Lacs has Father Hennepin state park, Go to the DNR web site and check out the state parks, there are quite a few with water access, be it lake or river.

WW

[ndshafer]

I beleive there is one on Forest lake as well.

[JBMasterAngler]

Afton, William O'Brien, Interstate, and Wild River state parks are all on the st. croix river. There's also a state forest campground on the snake river about 10 miles east of pine city, which will also give you access to the croix.

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

Thanks a lot for info, kind of forgot about the st croix. Went out there with my wife about 10 years ago north of taylors falls, rented a canoe and stayed in one of those spots on the river. Problem was it was pretty shallow up there and while I dont have a big boat (16 foot lund explorer) pretty sure I'd have some trouble with that area so might have to look at some of the parks. Also I've heard Father hennepin is a nice state park as well, so maybe if I go midweek i can snag one of the water spots. Thanks

[Pherris]

The Willow River campground is nice. It is only about 1.5 hrs north just off 35W. You can just google it but make sure you put in MN because there is one in Wisconson too. Also explore minnesota has a good search tool.

Good Fishing!!

[nofishfisherman]

Some of the lakes near Duluth (fish lake and island lake) have campsites out on islands around the lake. The sites are marked on a map at each landing and they all have fire pits and some even have tables.

They are first come first served and are free.

From the metro area they are about 2 1/2 hours away.

I've camped on fish lake several times its nice to have an island to yourself to enjoy the peace and quiet. Mid week shouldn't be a problem finding a site.

Decent fishing as well for walleye, gills, and pike.

[brrrr]

Akeley, MN has a nice city campground right on 11th Crow Wing lake, I think if you get one of the many lakeside spots you could pull a boat right up. also the launch is right there also. It is usually quiet during the week from what I've seen going in and out of town. might be worth looking into.

[pushbutton]

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping_opportunities2.html

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

Thanks again for the info, plan on getting him out more and more over the next couple years and shooting for a bwca trip when he's 9. Sounds like there is a lot more options like that then I thought so will be making a couple trips this year with him. Have a 1 yr old boy as well so hopefully in about 3 more years I'll be taking them both.

[Zelmsdawg]

Have you thought about just doing a BWCA entry lake? Its pretty easy to drive up and canoe across to a campsite. The first time I went up there it was a group of 5 dads and sons and I was the oldest kid at 6, think youngest was 4. I know its out of the drive range, and theres a lot of other factors but in my opinion the fishing and quiet makes it worth considering

Zelmsdawg