Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6100 - OUTDOOR RECREATION
PUBLIC USE OF STATE PARKS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AREAS
Part 6100.1250 - CAMPING

Universal Citation: MN Rules 6100.1250

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024

Subpart 1. Camping in state parks.

The camping restrictions in items A to J apply in state parks.

A. A campsite's occupancy is limited to one camping group of six people or less, one camping shelter, and one vehicle. Additional persons, shelters, or vehicles are permitted only with prior approval of the park manager. These limits do not apply in designated group camping areas.

B. Camping is permitted only at assigned sites in designated camping areas or in watercraft subject to the restrictions described in item A.

C. A person, other than a campground host, may not camp in the same state park for more than 14 days in succession, provided, however, that the park manager may allow camping for additional days when use conditions warrant.

D. Each camping party must register. Registration must be in person. A responsible person of a camping party shall register for the group, giving the number in the party. The names of all persons in the party must be provided when requested by the park manager.

E. The rental period begins with the day of registration and all fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. The campsite must be occupied by a member of the party on the first night of the rental period. Camping equipment placed on a campsite by an unregistered party, any equipment on a site that is not occupied on the first night of the rental period, or any equipment left on a site after the end of the rental period may be removed by the park manager to allow registered campers to occupy the site.

F. Camping permits expire at 4:00 p.m. and the campsite shall be vacated by 4:00 p.m. On departure, the campsite shall be left in a neat and clean condition.

G. Campers occupying a campsite must reregister by 11:00 a.m. to hold the campsite for that night.

H. Power units used to generate electricity shall not be operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., nor at other hours of the day if the operation causes a disturbance for other visitors.

I. In a designated horse camping area, portable corrals may be set up if they do not unreasonably exclude others from using the area and they comply with conditions posted at that site.

J. Camping in designated group camps is limited to registered groups or individual campers assigned to the area by the park manager.

Subp. 2. Camping in forest campgrounds and use of forest day use areas.

The restrictions in items A to J apply in forest campgrounds and day use areas.

A. A campsite's occupancy is limited to one camping group of eight people or less, two camping shelters, and two vehicles, except that not more than one camping trailer or motorized camper may occupy the site. Additional persons, shelters, or vehicles are permitted only with the prior approval of the forest officer. These limits do not apply in designated group camping areas.

B. Camping is permitted only at designated sites.

C. Camping shall be limited to a total period of 14 days in any one forest campground during the period from the first Saturday in May through the second Sunday in September, or 21 days the rest of the year, provided, however, that camping for longer periods may be allowed at the discretion of the forest officer in a forest campground when use conditions warrant.

D. A camping fee per campsite per night shall be charged in certain forest campgrounds. Camping fees shall be set to recoup the costs of developing, operating, and maintaining facilities or to prevent or mitigate resource impacts. Campers must pay the camping fee immediately upon occupying a campsite. If a party occupies a campsite and fails to pay the camping fee immediately, an additional charge equivalent to one night's camping fee shall be assessed if department personnel must visit the campsite to collect the camping fee.

E. In fee camping areas, each camping party must register. A responsible person in the camping party shall register for the group, giving the number in the party. The rental period begins with the day of registration. The campsite must be occupied by a member of the party on the first night of the rental period. Camping equipment placed on a campsite by an unregistered party, any equipment on a site that is not occupied on the first night of the rental period, or any equipment left on a site after the end of the rental period may be removed by a forest officer to allow registered campers to occupy the site.

F. Camping permits in fee campgrounds expire at 4:00 p.m. The site shall be vacated upon expiration of the camping permit. On departure, the campsite shall be left in a neat and clean condition.

G. Setting up camp between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. is prohibited.

H. Any group desiring to occupy more than six campsites must obtain prior approval from the forest officer.

I. Disposal of sewage waste from a camping trailer or motorized camper must be in accordance with chapter 4630. Liquid wastes from cooking and washing shall be disposed of in the sump provided for that purpose. If a sump is not provided, the wastes may be disposed of on the surface of the ground at least 150 feet from a water body in a manner that does not endanger a water supply, pollute a surface water, create a nuisance, or otherwise constitute a hazard to the public health or safety.

J. In a designated horse camping area, portable corrals may be set up if they do not unreasonably exclude others from using the area and they comply with conditions posted at that site.

Subp. 3. Other prohibitions.

In a state park, forest campground, or forest day use area, a person may not:

A. install or affix in a permanent manner a camping facility, equipment, or a structure;

B. move or remove picnic tables, fire rings, or other facilities from a campsite, day use area, or campground;

C. dig or excavate; or

D. make a noise at a level above that of a quiet conversation in camping areas between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., which are designated quiet hours.

Subp. 4. Watercraft.

A watercraft used for shelter or sleeping that is tied to, beached on, or docked on water frontage of a state park, state forest campground, or forest day use area, or anchored in waters that are completely within the boundary of a state park, constitutes camping and is subject to parts 6100.0100 to 6100.2400.

Statutory Authority: MS s 14.045; 84.03; 85.052; 85.053; 85.20; 86A.05; 86A.06; 89.031; 89.19 to 89.21; 89.71

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Minnesota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.