Is Cart-In Campsites first-come first-served or reservation?

Cart-In Campsites 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 Cart-In Campsites?

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

Can I have a campfire at Cart-In Campsites?

Fire policies at Cart-In Campsites: Light fires only within fire rings or charcoal grills; use approved or local firewood; do not leave fires unattended and fully extinguish before leaving.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Cart-In Campsites?

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

What activities can I do at Cart-In Campsites?

Popular activities at Cart-In Campsites include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cart-In Campsites

4 reviews

Cart-In Campsites

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Official Website

Cart-In Campsites

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. A non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation ($10 by phone, $8 online)....

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Cart-In Campsites

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Campground Map

Cart-In Campsites

No map location available

Weather at Cart-In Campsites

Best Time to Camp at Cart-In Campsites

Plan your visit between late May and August for classic summer camping weather, though the park's shoulder seasons offer their own rewards—spring brings wildflower blooms and rushing waterfalls, while fall transforms the Big Woods canopy into a spectacular display of gold and crimson. Opening and closing dates shift slightly each year, so check ParkFinder before planning your trip. Cooler months mean fewer crowds and a more intimate experience with the forest.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Mature hardwoods (maple, oak) imply strong fall color; fall suitability implied though not detailed.

Planning Tips

About Cart-In Campsites

Escape into the quiet beauty of Minnesota's Big Woods with a cart-in camping adventure at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. These secluded tent sites put you steps away from towering hardwoods, scenic trails, and the park's famous Hidden Falls, all while offering the convenience of evening naturalist programs. Advanced reservations are required to secure your woodland retreat.

Named on record as Cart‑In Campsites. The provided sources do not explicitly state which campsite types (tent, RV, primitive, group, cabin/other lodging) are available for these sites.

Weather and SeasonsPlan your visit between late May and August for classic summer camping weather, though the park's shoulder seasons offer their own rewards—spring brings wildflower blooms and rushing waterfalls, while fall transforms the Big Woods canopy into a spectacular display of gold and crimson. Opening and closing dates shift slightly each year, so check ParkFinder before planning your trip. Cooler months mean fewer crowds and a more intimate experience with the forest.

Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite sits nestled within one of southern Minnesota's last remaining stands of Big Woods—a cathedral-like forest where sugar maples, basswood, and oak trees tower overhead, their canopy filtering sunlight into a peaceful, dappled glow. Prairie Creek meanders through the landscape, and a short hike brings you to Hidden Falls, a stunning cascade that's especially dramatic after spring rains. This rare pocket of mature forest feels worlds away from the surrounding farmland, offering shade, birdsong, and a sense of discovery that's increasingly hard to find in southern Minnesota.

Geological RegionBig Woods (southern Minnesota hardwood forest region)

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsState Parks reservation system (online reservations up to 120 days in advance) and call center (866-857-2757).

Cancellation PolicyA non-refundable reservation fee is charged for advance reservations; see the reservation site for full cancellation/refund rules.

Best CampsitesCart‑in sites with direct access to the park's well‑maintained trails are frequently noted as highlights.

Need help booking Cart-In Campsites?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Reservations are required for all campsites. Contact/ reservation phone numbers listed by the DNR: 888-646-6367 and 651-296-6157. The DNR site also references purchasing a vehicle permit and general camping rules; specific site-level amenities for these cart-in sites are not stated in the provided sources.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Cart-in campsites provide direct access to the park's well‑maintained trails through the Nerstrand Big Woods; the DNR camping page also highlights evening naturalist activities and moonlit walks as park programming.

Hiking

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFollow fire restrictions and only use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of forest pests. Light fires only within fire rings or charcoal grills, never leave fires unattended and extinguish completely before leaving. Park and trail conditions can vary seasonally.

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 Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

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

4 reviews

Limited Reviews

Cart-In Campsites has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Limited public reviews available. Overall sentiment is positive, with reviewers praising trail access and maintenance; one reviewer noted the nightly price as high (~$24).

Review Summaries

Based on 4 reviews

What Campers Love

Well‑maintained trails directly accessible from cart‑in sites; generally positive reviewer impressions.

Based on 4 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reservations are required — make reservations through the DNR reservation system or by calling the provided numbers. Check current fees and availability before arrival.

Based on 4 reviews

Camper Quotes

Great I was going to take away 2 stars because I think that $24/a night for one of these spots is simply too much but I added a star back because the trails accessible from these spots are so well...

Based on 4 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Tent campers who want old-growth hardwood forest without a car camper crowd. Trails to Hidden Falls and Prairie Creek start right from the sites, and summer and fall both score well. The cart-in format keeps things genuinely quiet.

Skip if

No showers, no flush toilets, no water, no fire rings, no hookups of any kind. At roughly $24 a night plus a non-refundable reservation fee, that's a real ask for a bare site. Pets aren't allowed either.

Campgrounds

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Cart-In Campsites

About Gibson Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Cart-In Campsites, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Gibson+Dam">Gibson Dam</a>, the principal structure of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Sun+River+Project">Sun River Project</a>, is on the Sun River, 70 miles west of Great Falls, Montana. It is a concrete arch dam and contains 167,500 cubic yards of concrete. The reservoir, with 1,296 surface acres and 15 miles of shoreline, offers fair fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. Recreation is managed for Reclamation by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest which can be reached at 406-791-7700. <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_gibr.pl">Current Reservoir Levels</a>

Directions

I-15 west of Great Falls to State Highway 21 to Augusta. County road to dam.