Great River Bluffs State Park Campground - Nodine MN Camping

Preview: Even if you have miles to go before you need to stop for a night of camping, treat your legs, your eyes, and your spirit to a stop-off at Great River Bluffs State Park—and then plan to camp at one of my favorite sites in the whole state! Extreme southeastern Minnesota is part of what is called the Driftless area. In geological terms that means this area was not covered in the last series of ice ages. Therefore there are no glacial deposits or drifts. Extremely deep and long valleys were sculpted by melted waters raging through these areas. Today, that unique topography can be experienced firsthand at Great River Bluffs State Park. Most of the accessible areas of the park are situated along the steep and narrow ridges that fan out like the fingers on a bony hand. One finger has been developed into a modest campsite and another into the group area, while other fingers reach toward the river valley below, offering breathtaking vistas of the mighty Mississippi River just north of LaCrescent. A red pine corridor, part of a very scenic drive that follows the upper contours of one of many fingers, invites guests to the entrance to the campground. Because the campground lies opposite the entrance to the park, the drive in provides a wonderful opportunity to see what the entire park looks like. The park is adjacent to the Richard J. Doer State Forest, so it boasts its own stately stands of oak and maple as well as graceful forests of red pine. Visitors also enjoy elk corralled in an area just outside the park’s entrance. Activities: hiking, wildlife viewing, wildflowers, and picnic area.
© Copyright Tom Watson published by Menasha Ridge Press all rights reserved.


Duration: 31 semi-modern sites
Best Time to Go: March - October
This travel guide comes from:
The Best in Tent Camping: Minnesota Guide Book