When I think back to the days when my boys were young and we were into camping, it brings back a lot of fond memories. There were also memories of a few times that didn’t go quite as expected.
One particular time was over the 4th of July when we were camping at a campground on Jefferson Lake. It was a hot weekend, which is pretty common for the 4th of July. We had a pickup camper that was a giant step up from the tent that we usually slept in. The first evening we enjoyed a campfire and bathing in Deep Woods Off, because the mosquitoes were relentless. As the campfire started to burn down, we turned in. I was sure glad that we had that camper to sleep in. Once everyone was asleep, I listened to the mosquitoes buzzing around the outside of the camper and was grateful that we were inside. At some point during the night, one of us had kicked out the screen on the small window in the top bunk. The next thing that I knew, the camper was almost literally full of mosquitoes. We swatted mosquitoes for most of the night until I found where they were getting in. The next morning the inside of the camper looked like there had been a gunfight in the camper because there were blood spatters all over the walls and ceiling. That was probably one of the most miserable nights I have ever had camping.
Another miserable experience was over the 4th of July a couple of years before we bought the camper. In fact, this weekend was the reason we did buy it. We were camping on Lake Francis at a relatively new campground that was actually a farm field that was turned into a campground. There were no trees and if there were, they were freshly planted.
We had a tent which was a nylon cabin tent with a white top and red sides. That thing would get so hot inside during the day that you could hardly stand it. I do believe that if you put an egg in a pan of water and set it in that tent it would probably have boiled We took the kids swimming and I, of course, had my boat along, so that we could do a little fishing. The minnows died in the bucket tied to the dock because the water was so warm. It was so hot that we’d had enough of it and decided to go home early.
There was one other time that sticks out in my mind. I had decided to go to Spider Lake fishing in the fall. I took my son Brian’s Chevy S-10 pickup, which had a topper on it. After I arrived I pitched my tent and got settled in for the night. On the second night that I was there, it rained and stormed until there was a river running under the floor and pretty soon the floor was soaked and water was running down the walls. For the rest of that night, I slept in the front seat of that little pickup. The next day I threw my sleeping bag in the back of the truck and called that home for the rest of the week. A person can always make do if you have to and I wondered what I would do if I was camping in the Boundary Waters for a week. I am probably too old for that adventure now, but it’s a good adventure to dream about nonetheless.
We have come a long way from my early camping days when all that you needed was a Coleman lantern, a Coleman stove and a good tent. Those are some of the times that I look back on and remember fondly while wondering where did those days go?
Reservations are now required for camping in Minnesota State Parks. Plan ahead, or make a fee-free same-day reservation.
All campsites in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas now require a reservation before they may be occupied. We strongly recommend you make your reservations before leaving home, because cell phone coverage and Wi-Fi can be unpredictable at some parks.
For those who prefer to be spontaneous, we offer same-day reservations with no reservation fee, whether you're booking your site from home, from the road, or even from the park. Reserve a site online Friday morning and be camping in it that same night!
All campsites in state parks and recreation areas will still be 100% reservable. Same-day reservations are still allowed with no reservation fee, based on availability. If customers are looking to camp without a reservation, they can go to any state forest recreation area.
The reservation window will continue to be a rolling window, meaning a reservation can be made for camping and lodging 120 days prior to the intended day of arrival. Sites will be available for reservation beginning at 8:00 Central Time, 120 days in advance.
Reservations can be made online (link is external) or by calling toll free: 866-857-2757 (TTY 952-936-4008).
Until next time: There is still plenty of summer left to do some camping, enjoy the outdoors and do a little fishing. August is upon us and that is actually one of my favorite months to wet a line.
Please take a few moments also to honor those who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Also, take a little extra time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have served and those troops that are serving today.