camping on the banks or MN river

Hey guys. I would love to take my family camping on a random bank of the river. Is this legal, safe? Thinking about jordan st peter area.

Hi,

I believe that the river banks are public use up to ‘ordinary high water marks’. On the MN right now, that leaves a lot of places.

We fish the stretch between St. Peter and New Ulm quite a bit, and camping overnight has never been a problem and lots of people do it. It can get pretty remote on the MN, and sometimes you won’t see another person or boat the whole time you are out, even on summer weekends.

Good luck!

I use to spend every weekend in the summers camping on the Minnesota river. Just pick a nice sandbar grab the sunscreen a cooler of bud lite and some bug spray and your set.

Im gonna built a rack for the boat like a wakeboard tower to carry camping gear. Where would be a good place to launch? I seen one on google maps right around st peter.

Totally legal. We spend many nights on the banks and have been checked by game wardens on the river and they only check your fishing license. The water is really low, but Judson is a good spot to put in, or 7-mile between st.peter and mankato.
enjoy!
Build a big fire and wait for the clickers.

If you launch a boat at Judson, be VERY careful. You can maybe get 1/4 mile upstream before you’ll be bottoming out.

Maybe Wes will join the thread and share our fun story about Judson last month. Let’s just say — wide open followed by 3 hours of digging and a tow job.

I’ve launched every where. Chaska Carver Jordan Bell plain Henderson. Pick one and find a sandbar!

Do they care if you park at the launch’s overnight?

Wouldnt a home owner get a little upset if you camped on the shore in front of their house?

I understand that the high water mark might be legally public property, but I have to believe it is a better idea to find an island or public shoreline somewhere.

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Im gonna built a rack for the boat like a wakeboard tower to carry camping gear.

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Be careful that you don’t make it top heavy.

ya wont make it too heavy sleeping cots and sleeping bags or small stuff. where is the judson landing at.

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Do they care if you park at the launch’s overnight?

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Never had any problems leaving vehicles and trailers in any of the lots in that area. A lot of catfishermen down there that stay out into the wee hours and overnight.

In regard to camping in front of someone’s house, I’d think people would have some discretion. You’ll also find that not many houses in that area are very close to the river, since it likes to flood a lot.

Long story short, don’t be stupid and you’ll be fine.

If you Google Judson, MN you’ll find the ramp. The town is tiny, so where you see the county rd. bridge cross the river, that’s where the ramp is.

you da man thanks