Camp at Whitewater State Park

Whitewater State Park is at the cusp of bluff country, straddling the Whitewater River, a small tributary of the Mississippi. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit. In Spring you'll hit wildflower season when the forest glades in the depths of the valley folds are literally carpeted with flowers. It's like wading through a sea of white and yellow and violet. Get a wildflower guide and hunt for rare species and hidden spots. The season is short, so get there at the right time. Then visit again in the Fall when the rolling bluffs, which seem designed to show off the Fall colors, provide an experience with less detail than in Spring, but more grand, sweeping views. The park is also known for mushroom hunting (one of my favorite spring activities) and has one of the best trout streams in southern Minnesota.

Whitewater is a great place to camp. The main campground with over 100 sites is located in grassy, slightly wooded knoll along one of the park's many creeks. Although it's close to some trailhead and good fishing spots, because it is open and large, it isn't a very private space. If you can, I would suggest getting one of the six hike-in sites along the river itself. If you plan to visit during the peak summer season or during trout season, be sure to make reservations here.