• Rules and regulations keep campers in Minnesota safe and responsible.camping on a tent image by Pierrette Guertin from Fotolia.com
  
  Outdoor living is a way of life for many people in Minnesota. Fifty-eight state forests, 67 state parks and two national forests offer camping. Rules and restrictions govern camping on public land, but these are to keep the property pristine and the campers safe. Camping on Minnesota's public land is an inexpensive way to experience outdoor living.
  
  

State Forest

• Camping is encouraged in Minnesota's state forests but it is regulated. You may camp in designated sites. These have fire rings and picnic tables with water and toilets. In some areas you can camp away from the designated sites. You must camp out what you camp in, meaning you need to take everything with you when you leave. There should be no waste or hint that you camped there.
  
  Fees are assessed for all designated sites, but if you camp away from these, still on forest lands, your overnight accommodations are free.
  
  Campfires are allowed, but you'll need a permit to build one greater than three feet wide. For fires less than three feet around, you do not need a permit but do need at least a five- foot perimeter of cleared land around the fire pit. Your firewood should be dead and on the ground. You may not cut trees and branches for fire fuel.
  
  

State Parks

• Campsites in Minnesota state parks provide many amenities and comforts of home. You'll have a fire pit, picnic table, running water, shower and toilet facilities. You do have to pay for these; rates vary with each park. Pets are allowed but must always be supervised and on a leash no longer than six feet. Although you are encouraged to enjoy yourself, quiet hours in state park campgrounds are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and are enforced by camp hosts and rangers. Firewood can be purchased on site but is not to be cut down or brought in from an outside source.
  
  Weapons are never allowed, and drugs and alcohol are not to be displayed in public. You must purchase a state park vehicle permit to enter the park. Rock climbing and geocaching also require a permit.
  
  Biking, skiing and snowmobiling are allowed on groomed or designated trails; snowshoeing is permitted on all land off of the groomed trails.
  
  

National Forests

• Minnesota has two national forests that allow camping: Superior National Forest, which is home to 2,000 lakes, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Camping within the Boundary Waters requires a permit from the Forest Service. You must camp in a designated campsite, marked with a fire pit and toilet, and demonstrate your knowledge of "Leave No Trace" camping. Camping at other designated sites in the forest and in Chippewa National Forest provide some modern facilities and follow the same rules and guidelines as state forest camp sites.