Backpacking/Camping in Minneapolis, MN

Afton State Park, located less than an hour from the Twin Cities, offers hikers and backpackers a respite from the bustling city. With 20 miles of hiking trails and 1,600-acres of terrain ranging from rolling prairie fields to rugged ravines, it is easy to get lost in the natural beauty of the St. Croix River Valley.

An hour from downtown Minneapolis, Wild River State Park is well worth the drive to explore its almost 7,000-acres of hardwood forest, oak savanna, and pine forest. It is a perfect weekend destination for hikers, backpackers, and campers.

With over 22 miles of hiking trails (including a portion of Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail) and a waterfall to see, Temperance State Park is the ideal location for a long weekend getaway.

Big Woods State Park is one of the last remaining nature areas that has been left untouched from the first settlers, which has afforded hikers and backpackers the opportunity to explore this pristine “Big Woods” landscape.

If you’re aching to see some towering bluffs and to do some camping in the scenic Mississippi River Valley, then Perrot State Park is the destination for you.

Straddling the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, Interstate State Park offers rugged trails, views of the St. Croix River, and some of the most intriguing geological features in the country

Close enough to be drivable, yet far enough to feel disconnected from civilization; William O’Brien State Park is a great destination for backpackers, hikers, and paddlers to escape the stresses of the city.

In northeastern Minnesota, the Superior Hiking Trail traverses 296 miles of rugged landscape and beautiful vistas of Lake Superior. Whether you spend a weekend trip or a whole summer, backpacking this trail will be an unforgettable, epic adventure.

With over 32,000-acres of glacial landscapes, 50-miles of hiking trails to explore, and the modest mighty Mississippi’s headwaters to swim in, Itasca State Park is an absolute must-visit.

Located only an hour away from the Twin Cities, the trails that meander through Lake Maria State Park take hikers into some of southern Minnesota’s most beautiful natural landscapes.

Sakatah Lake State Park is an 840-acre park that offers 5-miles of hiking trails and over 60 different campsites. With lakeshore views and hardwood forest, Sakatah is a great escape for the overnight camper.