Book This Dreamy Lakefront Campsite in Minnesota and You Won’t Be Disappointed

Lake Maria State Park is one of my favorites in Minnesota for several reasons, including its proximity to the Twin Cities. In fact, it's less than an hour away from much of the Metro. At nearly 1,500 acres, the park is home to a relatively rare, intact remnant of the so-called "Big Woods" that once covered much of southern and central Minnesota. The hardwood forest borders a handful of small lakes, and for the most part, it's only accessible on foot or by horseback. This means most campsites at Lake Maria are hike-in, which guarantees more privacy and a little more solitude than your typical state park campground. It's also why I think the lakefront sites at Lake Maria State Park are some of the best campsites in Minnesota.

Lake Maria State Park is located a few minutes west of Monticello in central Minnesota, or about an hour northwest of Minneapolis. Once you enter the park, make your way to the parking lot at the trail center. From there, campers prep their gear and hike to their respective sites. The waterfront campsites are B1 through B6 and B8. Site B14 has a bit of a water view, but it's often obstructed by vegetation.

The hikes from the trailhead to the campsites range from 1 to 2 miles along wide, relatively level trails through the gorgeous forest. If you're like me and love a campfire, I recommend bringing a separate bag or a foldable wagon for firewood, which is available at the trail center. Drinking water is available at the trail center, near the group camp on the north side of the park, and at the Little Mary Lake boat launch on the park's western edge. This means you'll probably want to pack in water, as well—or hike to water sources several times during your stay. Filtering is another option, but the lakes are mostly encircled by reeds and cattails, so direct access to the water isn't guaranteed.

Sure, it takes more effort to get to your site than in other front-country campgrounds, but the payoff is worth it. Your reward is a secluded, lakefront site with a picnic table and fire ring and no other campers around—and it's all yours for as long as your reservation lasts. You'll enjoy gorgeous lake views, the honking of swans and geese, and if you're lucky, the tremolos of loons, until the stars spin up from the east.

The first time I recall hearing coyotes howling in Minnesota was on a camping trip to Lake Maria in the autumn. I remember the smell of crisp leaves, the crackling of a campfire beneath a blanket of sparkling constellations, and in the distance, the melancholy chorus of the coyotes. It was truly sublime and part of what cemented Lake Maria as one of my favorite state parks in Minnesota.

I'm loath to pick a favorite among the sites, but if my arm were twisted, I'd say B4 because it's a little farther off the beaten path—literally: You have to hike almost a quarter of a mile down a spur trail off the Big Woods Loop to reach the site. No matter which site you choose, though, you're sure to love your camping experience. Visit the DNR website's Lake Maria State Park page to book a site.

Do you have a favorite waterfront campsite in Minnesota? We'd love to hear all about it!