How to Get a Nerstrand Walk-In Permit
Four walk-in sites in the last of Minnesota's Big Woods.
Check Nerstrand Walk-In permit availabilityAbout Nerstrand Walk-In
Four walk-in sites in the old-growth Big Woods forest.
The Big Woods was a maple-basswood forest that once covered a large part of southern Minnesota; Nerstrand holds one of the last substantial remnants. Four walk-in sites and six cart-in sites are the only ways to sleep in it off a road.
The Experience
Closed canopy, deep leaf litter, and a walk of half a mile or less with everything in your arms — DNR provides no cart at the walk-in sites.
What to Expect
Minnesota DNR's definition of the category: "Cart-in and walk-in campsites in Minnesota state parks are not accessible by motor vehicle, but are a half mile or less from parking."
"All sites typically have access to primitive toilets and water, and will have a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad." DNR's own hedge — "typically" — is worth taking seriously; ring the park if water matters to your plan.
"walk-in sites have the same amenities as cart-in sites, but do not provide a cart."
The Minnesota reservation system lists this facility as "Walk In Campsites" with four units, Walk-In #W1 through #W4.
Minnesota DNR's published cart-in and walk-in rate at Nerstrand Big Woods is $24 per site, per night, plus tax.
"Seasonal availability varies by park." DNR publishes no season for this facility specifically, so the booking calendar is the authority on which nights exist.
DNR: "Walk-in Sites | 4 sites — Farthest site is 200 yards from the parking area. Easy walk-in. All sites are rustic."
"Farthest site is 200 yards" is a bound on the worst case, not a distance to any particular site, so no route distance is claimed here.
Water: "Drinking water is available at the red spigot near the visitor center, green water fountains, campground spigots, the dump station drinking water spigot or from the drinking fountain inside the visitor center during open hours."
Toilets: "There are 2 vault toilets near the picnic area and 2 vault toilets at the walk-in/cart-in campground available for use. There are flushable toilets available in the visitor center during open hours."
A live outage as of DNR's 8/9 notice: "As of Sunday 8/9, the shower and restroom building in the main campground is out of order. Flushable toilets are located in the picnic shelter building which is open 24/7. There are no other showers in the park."
Parking fills. DNR: "The main parking lot and overflow lot fill up quickly - arrive early in the day if you can. Overflow parking is available one quarter mile west of the ranger station in the cart-in lot."
Buy the vehicle permit before you drive out: "Due to poor cell service at the park, we recommend you purchase permits online before you arrive."
Season is published for the services, not the sites: "Showers will be available May 6 through mid-October. Flush toilets are available May 6 through mid-October."
Sourcing note: the park-page sentences on this page were read on 2026-08-10 from Minnesota DNR's own live park-content endpoint. maps.dnr.state.mn.us refuses our requests outright, so that fetch went through a Wayback Save-Page-Now capture of the live DNR endpoint, with the Internet Archive acting only as transport. www.dnr.state.mn.us and files.dnr.state.mn.us were read directly.
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Permit Requirements
All campsites require a reservation. Minnesota DNR: "All campsites require a reservation. Please make a reservation online or call 866-857-2757."
Reservations open 120 days before arrival, and same-day bookings are allowed. On the day a date first becomes available, online reservations cannot be made before 8 a.m.
The reservation fee is $8.00 online and $10.00 by phone, non-refundable. There is no fee for a same-day booking.
Camping check-in is after 4 p.m. and checkout is by 4 p.m. If you have not checked in by 11 a.m. on the second day of the reservation, DNR may cancel it.
"A campsite's occupancy is limited to one camping group of six people or less, one camping shelter, and one vehicle." More than that needs the park manager's prior approval.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and generators may not run in those hours.
Park hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year, and "only campers with a reserved campsite are allowed in the park after 10 p.m."
Every vehicle entering a Minnesota state park must display a valid year-round or one-day state park vehicle permit.
Firewood transport is regulated. DNR allows wood bought at this park for use in this park, Minnesota Department of Agriculture certified firewood anywhere on DNR land, and an uncertified bundle only if it is not ash and was harvested in the county where you will burn it — "be sure to keep your receipt and the bundle label to show proof of purchase."
Firewood from home, pallet wood, and painted, stained or metal-bearing lumber are all prohibited, and "collection of firewood in state parks is not allowed."
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter, or in a portable enclosure, and must be personally attended at all times.
It is illegal to consume or display intoxicating liquors in Minnesota state parks.
Fireworks and metal detectors are not permitted.
Hammocks need trees at least 12 inches in diameter and straps at least an inch wide, one hammock per tree, hung over mowed and cleared ground.
You may pick edible fruits and mushrooms for personal consumption; picking wildflowers or other plants is not allowed.
Campfires here run on a live burning restriction that moves with fire danger, so a fire ring at the site is not permission to use it. The authority is this park's own Camping & Lodging page, https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/nerstrand_big_woods/camping.html — read it in the week you travel, not the week you book.
Read 2026-08-10, that page carried: "Attention visitors - fire danger is very high!" The same notice said "Attended campfires are allowed in established fire rings in state park campgrounds, including drive-in, cart-in and walk-in campsites. If you choose to have a campfire, please keep it small, always supervise the fire, and make sure it is completely out before you walk away." That was DNR's position on that date under fire danger it called very high, and the same notice already banned fires at the backcountry hike-in, backpack and boat-in sites. It can tighten to a full ban before you arrive.
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A pack or a duffel you can carry — walk-in sites get no cart
- •A Minnesota state park vehicle permit for the car you leave at the trailhead
- •Water, or a way to treat it — DNR says these sites "typically" have water, which is not the same as always
- •A camp stove, and a meal plan that works on it — Minnesota DNR closes fire rings at short notice, and its Tettegouche notice of 2026-08-10 read "Camp stoves are permitted for cooking."
Recommended Gear
- •Boots that cope with mud; the Big Woods floor holds water
- •Water containers, given DNR's "typically"
Hazards & Safety
DNR: "Sturdy hiking shoes are suggested as you may encounter rocks, roots, and other natural terrain."
DNR's visitor tips: "Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily protection areas are posted and designated with ropes. Protect this plant that only grows in Minnesota." "Stop the spread of invasive plants. Stay on trails and clean your shoes." "Care for our trees. Ropes may not be attached to trees" — which rules out the obvious hammock anchor.
DNR: "Due to poor cell service at the park, we recommend you purchase permits online before you arrive." Assume you cannot call from the site.
DNR, 8/9: "the shower and restroom building in the main campground is out of order... There are no other showers in the park."
Best Time to Visit
DNR writes the seasons out: "In the spring, the forest floor is a spectacular wildflower garden where many plants like hepatica, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, and the rare dwarf trout lily bloom. Relax by Hidden Falls or take a peaceful hike in the summer. The autumn brings bursts of red, orange, and gold in the maple-basswood forest, one of the last extensive stands of the 'Big Woods.'" Its own highlights are spring wildflowers, fall colour and Hidden Falls. Showers and flush toilets run May 6 through mid-October.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Nerstrand Walk-In permit?
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Nerstrand Walk-In permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Nerstrand Walk-In?
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DNR writes the seasons out: "In the spring, the forest floor is a spectacular wildflower garden where many plants like hepatica, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, and the rare dwarf trout lily bloom. Relax by Hidden Falls or take a peaceful hike in the summer. The autumn brings bursts of red, orange, and gold in the maple-basswood forest, one of the last extensive stands of the 'Big Woods.'" Its own highlights are spring wildflowers, fall colour and Hidden Falls. Showers and flush toilets run May 6 through mid-October.
What gear do I need for Nerstrand Walk-In?
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Essential gear includes: A pack or a duffel you can carry — walk-in sites get no cart, A Minnesota state park vehicle permit for the car you leave at the trailhead, Water, or a way to treat it — DNR says these sites "typically" have water, which is not the same as always, A camp stove, and a meal plan that works on it — Minnesota DNR closes fire rings at short notice, and its Tettegouche notice of 2026-08-10 read "Camp stoves are permitted for cooking.".
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