Frontenac State Park Cart-in Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations available. Vault toilets are available at the cart-in sites throughout the year.

About

Frontenac State Park Cart-in Campground offers a primitive camping experience with enhanced privacy compared to the main Blufftop Campground. The campground features six rustic cart-in sites positioned approximately a quarter mile from the parking area, accessible via a mowed trail that climbs uphill through forested terrain. Carts are provided at the parking lot to assist campers in transporting their gear to the sites. Each site is equipped with essential amenities including a picnic table, fire ring, and food locker, all set beneath a canopy of trees. The sites are clustered relatively close together but still offer a sense of seclusion and a more intimate connection with nature. Vault toilets are located nearby to serve all cart-in campers. While the cart-in sites provide a more rustic experience, campers still have access to some of the main campground amenities. The park itself is renowned as one of the finest birdwatching locations in the United States, with more than 260 species recorded. Situated along the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin, the park's diverse habitats including blufflands, prairie, and floodplain forests make it a crucial stop along the Mississippi Flyway. Campers can explore 14.2 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests and prairies, ascending to dramatic 430-foot bluffs that offer panoramic views of Lake Pepin. The park's location near the historic community of Old Frontenac adds cultural interest to the natural beauty.

Directions

From the town of Frontenac, Minnesota, head northwest on County Road 28 Boulevard for approximately 1 mile to reach the park entrance. Follow the park road signs to the Cart-in Campground parking area. From there, it's a short walk of about 0.25 miles to the campsites, with carts available to transport your gear.

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