Backpack Campsites

Open — Open year-round and available for reservations. The backpack sites can be accessed via the park's trail system in all seasons.

About

The backpack campsites at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park offer campers a more primitive, wilderness-style camping experience within this historic 10,000-acre park. The four hike-in sites are spread across the park's diverse landscape, each with its own unique setting and natural features. Glacial Ridge Campsite sits adjacent to a large beaver pond on a wooded glacial ridge known as the Mille Lacs Moraine, offering opportunities to observe wildlife and the work of nature's engineers. Kanketanka Campsite overlooks a woodland pond in a forested setting. Black Bass Campsite is located on the south shore of Black Bass Lake, a designated Heritage Lake where power augers and electronics are not permitted, ensuring a quiet and secluded experience. Sunset Meadow Campsite nestles in an oak and maple forest at the edge of a meadow of sedges and wetland plants. Each backpack site includes basic amenities: a picnic table, fire ring, and wilderness toilet. These sites require hiking in with your gear and are accessed via the park's extensive 35-mile trail network. The backpack sites are reservable through the Minnesota State Parks reservation system and can be enjoyed year-round by hardy winter campers. The park itself is a National Historic Landmark District with 9,000 years of human history, a 100-foot fire tower, interpretive center, and diverse recreational opportunities throughout all seasons.

Directions

Located within Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, eight miles north of Onamia off Highway 169 on County Road 26. Access to backpack sites is via the park's hiking trail system.

Nearby Campgrounds