Is Backpack Campsites Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Backpack Campsites Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Backpack Campsites Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Fire policies at Backpack Campsites Campground: Purchase firewood at the ranger station when open or pay using Yodel. Gathering firewood is prohibited; burn only approved or local firewood to prevent spread of pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Backpack Campsites Campground have?

Backpack Campsites Campground has 2 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Backpack Campsites Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Backpack Campsites Campground offers: Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Backpack Campsites Campground?

Popular activities at Backpack Campsites Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Backpack Campsites Campground

3 reviews

29223 County 28 Boulevard Frontenac, MN 55026

Top 7% in MNFall

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsPeace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

738 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricWiFi

Book on MinnesotaStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

738 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricWiFi

Book on MinnesotaStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Backpack Campsites Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Advance reservations incur a non-refundable reservation fee ($10 by phone, $8 online). Reservations are required for all campsites; a fee-free...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

651-299-3000

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Campground Map

29223 County 28 Boulevard Frontenac, MN 55026

Backpack Campsites Campground

29223 County 28 Boulevard Frontenac, MN 55026

Weather at Backpack Campsites Campground

Best Time to Camp at Backpack Campsites Campground

Fall offers the clearest skies, the most dramatic bluffside color, and the best hiking conditions. Daytime highs typically range from the upper 40s to mid-60s°F, cooling by late October. Hardwood slopes light up in golds and crimsons from mid-September through mid-October, and migrating songbirds and raptors pass through in large numbers. Prime time for wildlife viewing and photography. Trails are generally dry and comfortable, crowds are lower than midsummer (especially midweek). Spring also draws birders for migration but brings muddy trail conditions that demand waterproof footwear. Winter drapes the bluffs in snow suitable for cross-country skiing, though backpacking in deep cold requires serious preparation.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 7% in MN

Fall offers clearest skies, dramatic bluffside color and best hiking conditions.

Planning Tips

About Backpack Campsites Campground

Two primitive backpack sites sit deep in Frontenac State Park's 2,600-acre backcountry, reachable only by trail through bluff country overlooking Lake Pepin. The park spans dramatic terrain where the Mississippi River widens, and these remote sites put you in the middle of it. No road access, no crowds, just hardwood forest and limestone bluffs.

The park includes two backpack sites within its overall campground facilities; the park also has drive-in, cart-in, electric sites and a group camp (but those refer to other campground types in the park).

Historical Significance

The area has been used since 400 B.C. by the Hopewell culture. Later centuries brought fur trading, stone quarrying (remnants visible on the interpretive trail), and farming. In Yan Teopa, a large rock feature on the bluff, carries a Native American historical reference and remains a named landmark within the park.

Weather and SeasonsFall offers the clearest skies, the most dramatic bluffside color, and the best hiking conditions. Daytime highs typically range from the upper 40s to mid-60s°F, cooling by late October. Hardwood slopes light up in golds and crimsons from mid-September through mid-October, and migrating songbirds and raptors pass through in large numbers. Prime time for wildlife viewing and photography. Trails are generally dry and comfortable, crowds are lower than midsummer (especially midweek). Spring also draws birders for migration but brings muddy trail conditions that demand waterproof footwear. Winter drapes the bluffs in snow suitable for cross-country skiing, though backpacking in deep cold requires serious preparation.

Natural Features and SceneryThe landscape shifts fast here. Windswept prairies on the upper bluffs give way to dense sugar maple and basswood forest, which then drops steeply down rock-faced limestone bluffs to floodplain woods along Lake Pepin's shore. The park sits at 738 feet elevation, and trails like the Bluffside descend 425 feet in rocky, stair-stepped sections to reach the water. Overlooks from Eagle Point and the In Yan Teopa rock platform offer sweeping views of the river valley. This collision of ecosystems. Dry bedrock prairie, hardwood slopes, bottomland forest. Creates habitat for over 260 bird species that follow the Mississippi Flyway. Spring brings warblers through the canopy. Fall lights the hardwoods in gold and crimson.

Geological RegionBluffland along Lake Pepin (Mississippi River); bluff and river valley landscape

Scenic ViewsBluff-top and river valley views overlooking Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River; hikers and skiers are noted to enjoy spectacular river-valley vistas.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsOnline reservations (can be made up to 120 days in advance) and by phone at 866-857-2757. Reservation center hours vary seasonally.

Cancellation PolicyA non-refundable reservation fee applies to advance reservations; other cancellation terms are not specified on the park page.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Best CampsitesDetails on the two backpack sites are sparse. Campers note they're located on the non-lake-facing side of the bluff system, accessible only by hiking in. Some sites accommodate hammocks. The appeal is proximity to trails and bluff overlooks rather than waterfront access.

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Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

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Amenities available

Ranger station offers free Wi‑Fi (no password). Firewood is sold at the ranger station when it is open; reservations are required for all campsites and can be made through the state parks reservation system. Specific on-site services at the backpack sites (water, toilets, fire rings, showers, hookups) are not specified on the park webpage.

Electricity hookups

WiFi

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups15 of 56 sites (27%)

Activities you can enjoy

Frontenac State Park is noted for excellent birdwatching and extensive hiking; the park also supports skiing in winter and offers access to nearby fishing, swimming and boat tours on Lake Pepin/Mississippi River.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Backpack Campsites Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise the park for bluff-top views, varied hiking and exceptional birdwatching (over 260 species). Common practical notes mention steep, rocky trails and muddy conditions in spring.

Review Summaries

Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

Outstanding bluff and river overlooks of Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River; top-tier spring and fall bird migration viewing; diverse hiking trails and restored prairie and forest habitats.

Based on 3 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Birders and bluff hikers who want genuine backcountry solitude in a state park setting. Fall migration through the Mississippi Flyway is the main event, with hardwood color and raptors passing the Eagle Point overlook at the same time.

Skip if

No potable water, no toilets, and no fire rings are confirmed at the sites themselves. If any of those are non-negotiable, the published details don't support booking with confidence. Spring mud and knee-punishing descents also rule out anyone without waterproof boots and solid k

Nearby Campgrounds

29223 County 28 Boulevard, Frontenac, MN 55026

Cart-In Campground sits on the Mississippi River bluffland overlooking Lake Pepin in Frontenac State Park. The six cart-in sites occupy terrain that mixes wooded areas, prairie, and floodplain forest. Reservations are required for all sites, and mosquitoes are a serious consideration during summer visits.