Minerva Lake Campsite

Good spot!

Good spot!

A beautiful site! To be alone on the great Minerva Lake was relaxing and invigorating. There are plenty of low/no use ATV trails that we walked each day. We kayaked, snoozed in our hammocks, and generally loved every minute. Advice.....bring warm clothes. It gets cold at night (even in July)!

A beautiful site! To be alone on the great Minerva Lake was relaxing and invigorating. There are plenty of low/no use ATV trails that we walked each day. We kayaked, snoozed in our hammocks, and generally loved every minute. Advice.....bring warm clothes. It gets cold at night (even in July)!

Single campsite on a small lake so we had the lake to ourselves except for some day users. While we liked the solitude and were self-sufficient in our tent camper, the lack of a privy raises some issues. It was obvious that campers before us didn't know or care to bury their TP and waste nor take care of business away from the water. A sign to remind folks to do so would be helpful, i.e. Leave no trace. Perhaps a sign that the closest outhouse is at the Pine Marten Trailhead a couple of miles away would be helpful. Otherwise great location to access the Bruno Run MBT and local forest roads for gravel biking.

Single campsite on a small lake so we had the lake to ourselves except for some day users. While we liked the solitude and were self-sufficient in our tent camper, the lack of a privy raises some issues. It was obvious that campers before us didn't know or care to bury their TP and waste nor take care of business away from the water. A sign to remind folks to do so would be helpful, i.e. Leave no trace. Perhaps a sign that the closest outhouse is at the Pine Marten Trailhead a couple of miles away would be helpful. Otherwise great location to access the Bruno Run MBT and local forest roads for gravel biking.

Great little spot for privacy and close to a few trails heads in Hiawatha. The lake and forest surrounding the site are beautiful and good for wildlife, star gazing at night. The main downsides are lack of an outhouse, the lake is too shallow and mucky-bottomed for good swimming, and at lot of ATVs come down to check out the day use area which is unfortunately placed right next to the site. That said, most folks were respectful and didn't stick around.

Great little spot for privacy and close to a few trails heads in Hiawatha. The lake and forest surrounding the site are beautiful and good for wildlife, star gazing at night. The main downsides are lack of an outhouse, the lake is too shallow and mucky-bottomed for good swimming, and at lot of ATVs come down to check out the day use area which is unfortunately placed right next to the site. That said, most folks were respectful and didn't stick around.

It was great being able to reserve this little camp. The site was easy to find and access with our small camper, but there was someone in it when we arrived late in the evening, despite there being a sign that it was reservation only. We felt bad asking the campers to leave, but we had the reservation for months and no where else to go. We did not get set up until quite late because of this, but not sure what could be done to prevent it beyond the sign. The site was large with a nice view of the lake, but there were odd dug up muddy spots and the placement of the firepit was very awkward, leaving few places for a decent tent or camper set up. The lake was lovely with a nice trail partially around it and a boat landing, but not much life in the lake at all, a few frogs and ducks, but two days of fishing all around yielded nothing. The water was pretty clear with not much vegetation and we didn't even spot a minnow or tiny pan fish. I'd camp again and pay a bit more to do so if the forest service put little extra effort into maintaining the sites and maybe added a primitive toilet.

It was great being able to reserve this little camp. The site was easy to find and access with our small camper, but there was someone in it when we arrived late in the evening, despite there being a sign that it was reservation only. We felt bad asking the campers to leave, but we had the reservation for months and no where else to go. We did not get set up until quite late because of this, but not sure what could be done to prevent it beyond the sign. The site was large with a nice view of the lake, but there were odd dug up muddy spots and the placement of the firepit was very awkward, leaving few places for a decent tent or camper set up. The lake was lovely with a nice trail partially around it and a boat landing, but not much life in the lake at all, a few frogs and ducks, but two days of fishing all around yielded nothing. The water was pretty clear with not much vegetation and we didn't even spot a minnow or tiny pan fish. I'd camp again and pay a bit more to do so if the forest service put little extra effort into maintaining the sites and maybe added a primitive toilet.