Is Upper Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Upper 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.

What is the best time to visit Upper Campground?

Upper Campground is open Seasonal — opening and closing dates vary by campground and are dependent on weather; check the campground webpage or contact the managing unit for specific dates.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Upper Campground?

Yes, Upper Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Upper Campground?

Fire policies at Upper Campground: Light fires only within fire rings and charcoal grills. Do not leave fires unattended; extinguish all fires before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to prevent spreading forest pests; do not burn trash.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Upper Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Upper Campground?

Upper Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Upper Campground?

Popular activities at Upper Campground include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Upper Campground

4.65

105 reviews

Schroeder, MN (no street address found)

Top 7% in MNFall

Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal — opening a...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Full HookupsPull-ThroughShowers

Book on Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota DNR)Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal — opening a...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Full HookupsPull-ThroughShowers

Book on Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota DNR)Official Website

Upper Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Park vehicle permit required for state park access. Reservation and campsite fees vary by site—use the park's reservation link or contact the...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Schroeder, MN (no street address found)

No map location available

Weather at Upper Campground

Best Time to Camp at Upper Campground

Fall delivers the best conditions. September and early October bring crisp days in the 40–60°F range, brilliant North Shore foliage, and clear light that makes the gorge cliffs look golden. Waterfalls run strong from higher early-fall water levels. Biting insects are gone, and crowds thin after Labor Day, especially on weekdays. The campground operates seasonally, so check current opening dates before planning a spring or late-fall trip.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 7% in MN

Overview: 'Fall delivers the best conditions' with brilliant foliage and clear light for gorge views.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal — opening and closing dates vary by campground and are dependent on weather; check the campground webpage or contact the managing unit for specific dates.

About Upper Campground

Upper Campground sits within Temperance River State Park, where the river carves through volcanic bedrock in a series of waterfalls and potholes a short walk from your site. The campground offers 4.7-star camping with modern amenities including private shower rooms, electric hookups, and flush toilets. Expect road noise near some sites but easy access to the gorge and Lake Superior shoreline.

Upper Campground provides developed campsites; visitor reports indicate sites for tents and trailers and some electrified sites.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions. September and early October bring crisp days in the 40–60°F range, brilliant North Shore foliage, and clear light that makes the gorge cliffs look golden. Waterfalls run strong from higher early-fall water levels. Biting insects are gone, and crowds thin after Labor Day, especially on weekdays. The campground operates seasonally, so check current opening dates before planning a spring or late-fall trip.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Temperance River has cut a narrow gorge through ancient volcanic rock, creating cascading waterfalls and deep, swirling potholes visible from multiple trail vantage points. The campground sits along Minnesota's North Shore, where the river meets Lake Superior. Bedrock geology tells the story of old lava flows shaped by glaciers and thousands of years of water erosion. Sites are well-spaced among the forest, with trails leading directly to both the river gorge and the lake beach.

Geological RegionTemperance River gorge / North Shore of Lake Superior (river gorge with waterfalls and deep potholes)

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Minnesota State Parks Guide

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Amenities available

Amenities reported by visitors include modern private shower rooms and flush toilets; some campsites offer electrical hookups. No on-site dump station reported; water is reported available 'on the way in' to the campground (per visitor reports).

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups56 of 84 sites (67%)

Water hookups10 of 84 sites (12%)

Sewer hookups10 of 84 sites (12%)

10 full hookup sites11 pull-through sites

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers access to park trails and shoreline; official materials mention evening naturalist programs and moonlit walks. Visitors note easy trail access to the beach, rocky shorelines, and the Temperance River.

Hiking

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUse only approved or local firewood to prevent the spread of harmful forest pests. Light fires only within designated fire rings or charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and fully extinguish fires before leaving. Follow park rules to minimize risks.

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

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

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.7

105 reviews

Top-Rated

Upper Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor reviews are largely positive, praising new/clean restrooms and private shower rooms and scenic shoreline/trail access. Common negatives mentioned include road/traffic noise, occasional water access issues reported by a visitor, and lack of an on-site dump station.

Review Summaries

Based on 105 reviews

What Campers Love

New, private shower rooms and clean flush toilets; scenic shoreline and easy trail access to the Temperance River and beach; sites described as well-spaced and scenic; some sites offer electric...

Based on 105 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect modern private showers and clean restrooms; if you need a dump station or full hookups plan to use nearby Silver Bay; bring appropriate power adapters and check site electrical types.

Based on 105 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The restroom/shower facility at the Upper Campground is very new, extremely clean and spacious for showering; due to each being its own private room."; "Some of the camp sights offer electric, they...

Based on 105 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Fall weekenders with tents or smaller RVs who want gorge-and-beach access without roughing it: the private shower rooms genuinely impress, sites are well-spaced in the forest, and the trail to the volcanic potholes is right there.

Skip if

Full-hookup rigs needing a dump station will have to drive to Silver Bay, and road noise is a real presence on certain sites, so if highway sound ruins sleep, ask specifically for a site away from the road when reserving.

Campgrounds

Temperance River State Park

Upper Campground

About Lake Sumner

Context for the broader area surrounding Upper Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=226">Sumner Dam</A> and Lake Sumner, features of the <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=485">Carlsbad Project</A>, are on the Pecos River about 250 river miles north of Carlsbad and about 16 miles northwest of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The Lake has 4,500 water surface acres when full with 60 miles of shoreline. Recreation is managed for Reclamation by the New Mexico State Parks. There is a visitor center operated by NM State Parks. No food service or lodging within park. Lodging is available in Fort Sumner or in Santa Rosa, 42 miles north. No concessions. Year round fishing for white bass, catfish, walleye, and bream. Scuba diving for game fish is permitted. There is stream fishing downstream from dam. Boating must conform to New Mexico regulations. There is a playground and opportunities for birdwatching.

Directions

To get to Sumner Lake State Park from the town of Fort Sumner, take US 84 northwest 10 miles, then go west on NM 203 for 6 miles.

Download area map (PDF)