The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Parks and Trails makes it easy for you to make a reservation either by calling 866-857-2757 or by using their online reservation service (https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/). Reservations for camping or lodging are available up to 120 days before your arrival date using a credit card. Make an online reservations 24 hours a day, except for the first day a reservation becomes available. Reservations begin at 8 am central time on the first day that a reservation is available. 

Making the Reservation

The DNR requires year round camping reservations–even in the winter. Unfortunately, there is a reservation fee. The online reservation fee is $7 and $10 phone. However, there is no fee if you make a same-day reservation. In addition to a reservation, all vehicles entering a state park or recreation area will have a state park permit (annual or daily). The maximum nights for a single camping reservation is 14 days, and 7 days for a single lodging reservation. 

What if you don’t have a credit card or don’t want to use one for a reservation? Cash or check for payment makes this easy for everyone.  

• Pay with cash (only available for same-day reservations). Call 866-857-2757 and tell them which spot you are reserving. They will put your reservation on hold, with a cash payment at the self-registration station upon arrival at the park.
• Pay with a check (only available for reservations over a month away): you can only pay by check for reservations with arrival dates over 30 dates out. Call the contact center and tell them which spot you are reserving, and that you are paying by check. They, then, add a hold on your site and direct you to mail your payment. Reservations are canceled if a check is not received 21 days prior to your scheduled arrival. (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reserve-faq/index.html)

Plans Change

Sometimes, plans change and you need to cancel your reservation. Be aware that the camping and lodging reservation fee is non- refundable. 

• Camping cancellations
  • Cancel 14 or more days prior to arrival and there is no cancellation fee.
  • Cancel less than 14 days prior to arrival, but more than 48 hours prior to check-in and a $10 cancellation fee is charged.
  • Cancel less than 48 hours prior to check-in and there will be a $10 cancellation fee and the first night’s camping fees are deducted from the original site fees paid.
• Lodging cancellations
  • Cancel 14 or more days prior to arrival and there is no cancellation fee.
  • Cancel less than 14 days prior to arrival and there is a $10 cancellation fee and one night’s lodging fee is charged.
• No shows: if the site is not occupied by 11 am the day after the scheduled date of arrival, the reservation may be canceled with no fees refunded. (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reserve-faq/index.html)

Let’s Go Camping

Camping in Minnesota State Parks is a wonderful year round activity. The important thing to remember is that your selection is better if you make a reservation as far out as possible up to 120 days before arrival. The Minnesota DNR does its best to accommodate anyone who wants to spend time in our beautiful natural resource–The State Parks and Trails system.

Do you have any tricks to make a reservation for a Minnesota State Park? Share them below in the comments.

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