- Estimated Cost: $25
- Deposit: $25
- Max Trip Size: 30 people
Join us for a fun 4th of July Weekend camping trip to Whitewater State Park, where the Rovers are strong and good-looking, and there is a serious lack of mosquitoes! We have group camp site 2, which has a shelter with electricity, plus flush toilets and showers!
Campers need to bring their own tent and sleeping system; these items can be checked out of the Rovers Equipment Locker, if you don’t have them. We plan to have a group potluck dinner on Friday night. Everyone will be responsible for their own cooking and meals. Restaurants and a grocery store are available in St. Charles, about 8 miles from camp.
Some other details:
- Cost is $25 per person. Fee includes the campsite, firewood, and some incidentals. This holds your spot and is refundable only if the trip is full, and someone takes your spot.
- Only members may attend this overnight trip (But it’s easy to become a member!!)
- All vehicles must have a Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit.
- Check-in is 4 pm on Thursday; check out is 4 pm on Sunday
- Parking spots are limited, so carpools are strongly encouraged and will receive priority parking. There is an overflow lot for extra vehicles, a short walk away.
Contact Ruth via email with questions or to sign up.
Hopefully, a few people will step forward to organize some activities over the weekend. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Things to do in the park
Swimming: Beautiful sandy beach in park.
Hiking: Hiking is plentiful, from several short hikes up to the full 7-mile loop around the park. Chimney rock and inspiration point are some of the more popular. All hikes are in the rugged driftless landscape. WWSP Trails
Historic Site: Chimney Rock Footbridge
Geology: Here is a UMN document about the geology of the park: Geology of Whitewater State Park
Things to do Nearby
Bike Trails
- Root River State Trail 40 miles are open from the trailhead in Fountain. There is a section outage 8.8 miles east of Rushford to 1 mi west of Houston. Paved.
- Great River Ridge State Trail (13 miles long, paved)
- Chester Woods State Trail (3.9 miles long, paved)
Paddle: Whitewater River State Water Trail The ~6-mile section from Elba to Hwy 74 (just upstream of the Hwy 30 bridge) is the possibly the best section. More Info here.
Flowers: You-pick flower farm, 9 miles away. Fischer Hill Flowers
Groceries: In St. Charles, 8 miles away
Restaurants: Several options in St Charles (8 miles), and one in Elba (3 miles).
Historic Site: Elba Fire Tower
Wineries: 9 miles away: Whitewater Wines (groups of 6 or more require a reservation); 28 miles away: Sugar Creek Vineyard and Meadery