MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. — Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and thousands of Minnesotans will spend the long weekend experiencing the outdoors.
“We’re here in the campground office,” said Jessie Montgomery with Three Rivers Park District.
The Baker Campground in Maple Plain is gearing up for a particularly busy Memorial Day weekend.
“This is our first weekend with a full house,” Montgomery said. “It’s a Northwoods experience while still having amenities nearby.”
And it’s not just this weekend. We had the camp office check for us and many of the nearby sites are almost fully booked for most of the summer season.
“So electric sites were booked last year,” Montgomery said.
“It’s going to be a busy time for campers across the state,” said Sara Berhow with Minnesota DNR.
Berhow says Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas are almost fully booked this weekend.
“I checked again this morning and we’re not quite at 99% yet, but close,” Berhow said.
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She says if you want to stay close to the metro or North Shore and camp on the weekends, you’ll have some stiff competition this season.
“For much of June, July and August, these locations are over 90% booked for Friday and Saturday nights,” Berhow said.
But don’t give up yet.
“Cancellations are very common,” Berhow said.
She suggests making reservations Sunday through Thursday, trying non-electric sites and signing up for email cancellation notifications.
“It’s called ‘Keep Me Informed,’” Berhow explained. “Another thing people can do is look at some of those hidden gem parks within the systems, like Old Mill State Park or Blue Mounds State Park.”
“We’re getting started, come in at 5pm for your firewood,” Montgomery said.
Baker Campground opens reservations a year in advance, while state parks open 120 days in advance. So if you miss your favorite campsite this year, mark your calendar to make that reservation for next year.
