Camden State Park

My family loves to camp! We try to get out to a campground several times a year. This year was a little strange, since the Covid-19 pandemic kept campgrounds closed for a large portion of the Spring. Once the powers-that-be decided that campgrounds could open, camping reservations were gobbled up by people who were going crazy being cooped up in their own houses. Apparently we weren't as crazed as many others, since when we finally got around to searching for a site, most of them were already full. We did find a State Park that is located out in the western part of Minnesota, called Camden State Park. This past weekend we loaded up our seemingly infinite amount of kids, most of their earthly possessions, and the dog, and headed out there for 5 days.

Our Home away from Home at Camden State Park

I would say that western Minnesota is about 99% cropland. Whatever direction you look in, you will more than likely be looking at corn or soybeans or some other kind of crop. The remaining 1% is roads. And everything is flat. To say that I was a little nervous about the possibility of finding a scenic park in the area would be an understatement. Thankfully Camden is located in a lush river valley that was filled with mature trees and hills. 

The lush river that flows through the lush river valley is the Redwood River, which is a Designated Trout Stream, according to the Minnesota DNR. I had never been trout fishing in that part of the state, nor did I know anyone who had, so I was excited to see what it had to offer in terms of fishing. It was not much...

The rod of the weekend: Sage SFL580 glass rod, with Ross Evolution #2 reel

Sunrise on the Redwood River

I got up early and fished the first two mornings we were there. Hardly anyone else was around, so I could have my pick of the pools on the stream. Despite low water conditions, there were some prime looking spots. I soon learned that spots that look prime to me might not be so prime for the trout. I never got a bite, never saw a fish, on either of the two mornings. And I tried some good flies. Proven fish-slayers. But nothing. It was a little frustrating.

Proven fish-slayers...

By the third morning the campground was beginning to fill up, and it was obvious that many of those recent arrivals were also there to fish. So I stayed in bed that day and the next, leaving my rods and reels in the truck. I did talk to many of the other fisherpeople throughout the weekend, though, and none of them caught any fish either. One of the best feelings I can think of is to find out everyone else is not catching just as many fish as I did not catch. What a great weekend!

I had never seen such a high cut-bank in the area as I found on the Redwood River. I was sure that if I hung around in this spot for a few more minutes that tree up there would soon be down with its friend in the river...

Although the fishing was terrible, we had a fun time. The Wife and I took all the kids and the dog on at least one long hike (also known as a death march) each day. And we biked and swam and swatted mosquitoes and went to a Little House on the Prairie Museum and just had an all-around excellent time. Maybe the fishing would have better in the Spring when the water was not so low...? Whatever the case, if you are looking for a fun place to take the family, I would recommend Camden State Park. See ya there!

The kids counted at least 50 of these over the weekend. There were almost as many Garter Snakes, which I did not get close enough to photograph. Only because they were too fast...

The hoodlums, I mean kids, on a death march.

Weird tree.

We were followed by vultures on one of our death marches. I think they heard us joking about it being a death march...

This was on the 8-year-old's arm for a second or two, until it got flung off. I found it few yards away and took the pic. By that time the 8-year-old was in the next county...

The moon was super bright a couple of the nights. This was as good a pic as I could take after having a beer...