For all those last-minute planners, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says there are still plenty of reservable campsites available at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for Labor Day weekend. There are six parks with at least 20 reservable sites available for Labor Day weekend (as of Aug. 23):

· Minneopa State Park (Mankato), which has a beautiful double waterfall

· Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area (Jordan), which includes a multi-use trail that runs parallel to the Minnesota River, an ideal spot for hiking, biking, and inline skating;

· Myre-Big Island State Park (Albert Lea), where visitors enjoy canoeing, kayaking and birdwatching on Albert Lea Lake

· Scenic State Park (Bigfork), where tall virgin pines and sparkling lakes make the perfect setting for canoeing and camping

· Zippel Bay State Park (Williams), which has a white sand beach on Lake of the Woods and provides many opportunities for wildlife observation; and

· Lake Bronson State Park (Lake Bronson), home to the world’s largest jack pine and the Minnesota state park system’s tallest stone observation tower.


For those willing to drive a little further, the following Minnesota state parks also have at least 15 reservable sites open: Big Stone Lake, Camden, Lac qui Parle, Red River State Recreation Area, Rice Lake, Schoolcraft, and Upper Sioux Agency. Campsites are also available at other Minnesota state parks and recreation areas, but in more limited numbers.


The DNR advises anyone planning to camp over the holiday weekend to make their reservations as soon as possible by calling 866-85PARKS or 866-857-2757 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, or by visiting stayatmnparks.com.

Tips for landing a last-minute campsite on Labor Day weekend
Up to 30 percent of campsites at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors can increase their chances of getting one of these non-reservable campsites by following these tips from the DNR:

· arrive by Thursday morning for the best selection of remaining campsites

· if arriving mid-week isn’t possible, come on Sunday, when additional campsites open up as weekend visitors begin to head home

· within 24 hours of leaving home, the DNR advises visitors to call the park to find out how many campsites are expected to be open

· Consider camping at one of Minnesota’s 58 state forests, such as the Paul Bunyan State Forest (near Itasca State Park in northwestern Minnesota), Finland State Forest (near the North Shore’s Tettegouche State Park, Sand Dunes State Forest (about an hour north of the Twin Cities in Big Lake), or Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest (near Frontenac State Park in southeastern Minnesota). State forests tend to be less crowded than neighboring state parks and offer a wide range of recreation opportunities, from mountain biking to horseback riding to OHV riding

· those planning to spend the weekend with friends or another family may have better luck finding multiple campsites together at a group camp, rather than in the main campground. Group camps are reservable for $30 to $75 per night, and many of them are currently available at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.