Camping Solo At Blue Mounds State Park

Camping Solo At Blue Mounds State Park

After weeks at home to slow the spread of Covid-19, the campsites at Blue Mounds State Park opened up on June 1st. So I packed up my gear and drove to the southwest corner of Minnesota for my first solo camping adventure!

I knew very little about this state park but came across some of the red rocky terrain online and knew I wanted to see it in person. I’ve wanted to try a solo camping trip for some time now so I was thrilled to have this great park be the first of many to come.

Here’s everything you need to know for a camping trip at Blue Mounds State Park!

Where is Blue Mounds State Park?

Located in the southwest corner of Minnesota, this park is all the way in the bottom corner of the state.

It’s 3.5 hours from Minneapolis or a little over 2 hours from Mankato.

The nearest town, Luverne is less than 10 minutes away. It’s a small town but there are a few fast food places and a grocery store if you need snacks, coffee or any meals during your trip.

How much does a trip here cost?

If you’re a local or able to camp on a weekday, a great campsite is only $11. This includes pull up parking, a fire pit, a picnic table, free Wifi & access to nearby clean, indoor showers and bathrooms.

You can upgrade to electric sites or RV sites etc for an additional fee. But if you’re just camping, the regular sites are more than enough!

They also have the option for glamping in a tipi. (Stay tuned for when I do this glamping trip in July!

Reserving A Campsite

If you reserve your campsite online the same day you plan to check in or upon your arrival there is no reservation fee.

I was able to skip the fee by reserving mine the morning I left. However if there is a specific campsite you want or you’re going during a popular time/weekend, you may need to reserve ahead of time. This will include a $7 non-refundable reservation fee. (Or $10 if you call to make the reservation!)

Once you’re reservation is complete, you’ll receive an email confirming your campsite and the following document:

Minnesota State Park Pass

In addition to the cost of your campsite, a Minnesota State Park Pass is required here.

You can purchase one when you arrive or ahead of time here.

It’s $7 for a day or $35 unlimited for the season for ALL Minnesota State Parks. If you plan to stay more than one day or visit any other parks in the following year, it’s worth purchasing the unlimited pass.

Just note: the pass is car specific. So if you have more than one vehicle, you won’t be able to switch the unlimited pass to another car later in the year, you’ll have to add a second vehicle.

The cost of my trip: $11 campsite +$35 unlimited year pass + $10 in food and snacks + $20 in fuel roundtrip

Blue Mounds Campsite Amenities

This park was very clean and the trails were well looked after. For only $11 the campsite offered a lot.

Free open Wifi throughout the campsite
Large clean bathrooms and showers that are indoors
Bison & Prairie Tours
Great hiking trails
$6 bundles of firewood available for purchase

Best Hiking Trails at Blue Mounds State Park

1st Hike: Quarry Trail
Park here: Co Hwy 8, Luverne, MN 56156

A great introduction to the park is to begin with Quarry Trail because you will immediately get to see some of the iconic red rock cliffs. and it’s a short, easy hike.

If you’re driving from Luverne towards Blue Mounds State Park, you’ll see a sign labeling some trails before the actual state park entrance. Turn right here onto 141st Street (AKA Co Highway 8) and stay on this road until the second labeled turn off. There will be a parking lot on your left hand side.

Or just type: “Blue Mounds State Park Rock Climbing Area Parking Lot” into Google Maps!

2nd hike: Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock is the park’s highest point. Hike along the Mound Trail from the Eagle Rock Vista parking lot to access it!

Other great hikes:

Bur Oak Trail 0.75 miles one-way (Steep terrain & bare rock, a narrow trail through a bur oak forest and large boulders and cliff faces.)
Upper Cliffline Trail 1.5-miles one-way (One long, gradual hill that goes along the upper edge of the cliffline and old quartzite quarry of pink rock)
Lower Cliffline Trail 1-miles one-way (Mostly flat & grassy)

Tips for Sunrise & Sunset at Blue Mounds Park

Sunrise: If you book campsite 11 or 12, you will have a perfect uninterrupted view of sunrise from your tent. Originally, I had planned to do a sunrise hike but when I realized I could watch sunrise from the comfort of my warm sleeping bag, I snuggled in and stayed put!

Sunset: The trees block sunset from the campgrounds so I went over to the Buffalo Viewing Platform. There are some rocks situated there for perfect sunset views, enjoy!

Prairie & Bison Tour

Tours weren’t up and running on my first trip to the park because the coronavirus pandemic put a hold on all tours. However most visitors choose to book the Prairie & Bison Tour. It’s 90 minutes long and you drive across the prairie in a safari jeep to see the bison a bit closer!

Reserve your tour here.

Rates

Adults (ages 13+): $10
Youth (ages 4-12): $6

While sharing my adventure on my Instagram, it generated a lot of buzz about solo camping. Over a hundred people said they would be too scared to try it but there was also a large group of you who were very interested or already haved tried solo camping!

If you haven’t given it a try, I highly suggest it. I love camping with other people but when you go by yourself, you’re able to connect with nature in a totally different way. It’s the best form of “me” time!

Tips For Camping Solo Your First Time:

Start at an “easy” park like Blue Mounds State Park. This campsite has free open Wifi, clean bathrooms and it’s located only 10 minutes from a nearby town. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Bring at least one portable charger! Keeping your phone charged is a safety essential. Not to mention, you’ll sleep better knowing you have a fully charged phone with you if anything did go wrong.
Practice setting up your tent before you go.
Pick a campsite where other people will be around or nearby until you feel more confident on your own in the woods!
Always tell someone where you are camping and what your plans are.