Good spot for a 5 year old and his dad.

[setterguy]

My 5 year old wants to go camping this summer, while I grew up outdoors we rarely did much camping. Looking for something fairly close to Forest lake (100 miles or so) in case we need to come home for some reason, within short distance to a lake we could fish from shore, and maybe with a small town near by where we might be able to find an ice cream cone or something...I know its a specific list maybe someone has something in mind? Thanks.

[irvingdog]

Patronize our State Parks. Let your tax dollars speak speak with your recreation dollars.

They are all great, and the list is long......

Go to the web site and shop.

[echotrail]

This one is close by for you. Take a look at the town of Balsam Lake, WI., it has the most beautiful city park with camping sites you can find anywhere. It's a great small town atmosphere. Main street is about 2 blocks from the park for ice cream, food etc. Another 1 to 2 blocks is Balsam Lake with a swimming beach, fishing docks and shore fishing right there in town. Down side is you'll need the WI. license. If you haven't been there before, it's a short drive to check out this spring.

[minndonn]

I would consider Savana Portage State Park or St Croix State Park. Living near St Croix they have nice trails, swim beach and canoe rental. Also tarred bike trail. Savana is a park we took our kids to when they were young. Nice small lakes, pan fishing in the campground and a nice trail around the lake that a small child can walk. Also the Savana beach is on a cold trout lake that is also small. Both are good safe places to take children.

[Redlantern]

Setterguy,

Check out Rush Lake by Rush City. I ce cream shop in town. You could hit the Wild River State park. There is shore fishing on the river,mini gold and a drive-in in Taylors Falls. Obviously, be careful with the kid when fishing near a river. Savanna was already mentioned and for good reason. Nice place not too far away. William O'Brian State Park is another one. I know it sounds corny, but how about your own backyard? When I got divorced and my daughter was three, we camped out in the backyard. Had a fire, marshmallows, hot dogs and had a good time. Now she's nine, and looking forward to her next BWCA trip. Of course it helps that her mom likes camping too, so she's getting influenced from both sides. Another place to try is Lake Elmo Park Preserve. Great swimming, fishing pier, and close to home. Have fun.

[setterguy]

Thanks for the input guys, I had thought about a backyard thing but I wanted to make it a whole weekend just the two of us and that wouldn't happen in our backyard as soon as he saw the neighbor boys playing street hockey...I have some investigating to do.

[blarkey]

St. croix state park is a great campground and its up by hinkley it got the st. Croix river and lots of bike paths

[Down Deep]

This one is about a 175 miles. Voyagers National Park . and you need a boat A campsite on an island is a great experience. I used to take my kids there when they were that age and up. There is some fishing, campfires, hiking trails, swimming and the trip to a resort for ice cream. My grandkids who will be 5 in June are going for their first trip in July. You know its a winner when their dad, my son, says he wants to come along rather than being happy grandpa is taking the kids for a weekend.

[Hafnutz]

No matter where you go you'll both remember that trip forever!!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Setterguy, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Flake is Willow River State park in WI. There's trusty Interstate State park in Taylors Falls, also. St. Croix state park is fun also.

[herm]

I'd recommend Father Hennepin on Mille Lacs. Great swimming beach, fishing pier, decent (but short) hiking/biking trails on site, many small towns around the lake, playgrounds, you could even go on a resort's fishing launch. One thing: If you are tent camping, I'd pick the Maple Grove campground. The other one (Lakeview) tends to be crowded with RVs/etc. Reservations are recommended needed for either in midsummer.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

A 5 year old needs a variety of things to keep them interested. Carver Co park at Lake Auburn is a nice site. The campground is right on the lake, but the sites are not. This will help you keep your eye on him so he doesn't wander of.

Nice swim beach, playground and big bass for Dad. Short drive to the DQ and also to the county park.

It's a different direction from what you were thinking, but it fills the bill.

Another one would be Lake Independence.