Gooseberry Glen Cart in Campground

For Minnesota locals yearning for a truly peaceful and immersive outdoor experience, Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground, nestled within the picturesque Whitewater State Park near St. Charles, MN, is an exceptional choice. This hidden gem offers a unique camping opportunity where tranquility and natural beauty take center stage. Unlike many bustling campgrounds, Gooseberry Glen provides secluded, woodsy tent sites that feel miles away from the everyday, yet remain conveniently accessible for a rejuvenating escape.

Gooseberry Glen is renowned for its quiet and private atmosphere, making it perfect for campers who prioritize serenity and a deep connection with nature. The "cart-in" aspect means you park your vehicle and use provided carts for a short walk to your site, enhancing the feeling of seclusion without requiring a full backpacking commitment. This thoughtful design ensures that while you're enveloped by dense forests and the gentle sounds of a stream, essential amenities are still within easy reach.

A truly remarkable feature of Whitewater State Park, and by extension Gooseberry Glen, is the "noticeable absence of mosquitoes." Yes, you read that right – a Minnesota state park with no mosquitoes! This incredible highlight significantly enhances the outdoor experience, allowing campers to fully enjoy the hiking, fishing, and relaxation without the usual insect interruptions. With a focus on natural beauty, challenging trails, and a serene environment, Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground promises a memorable and highly recommended Minnesota outdoor adventure for all who visit.

Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground is located within Whitewater State Park, with its address noted as Road, St Charles, MN 55972, USA. More specifically, the park's main address is 19041 Highway 74, Altura, Minnesota 55910. The campground is situated in Winona County, in the southeastern blufflands area of Minnesota, a region known for its dramatic limestone bluffs, deep ravines, and crystal-clear trout streams. This unique "Driftless Area" landscape sets it apart from much of the rest of Minnesota.

Accessibility to Gooseberry Glen is straightforward. Whitewater State Park is located about 7 miles north of St. Charles on Minnesota State Highway 74. For Minnesota locals, the drive times are quite reasonable: approximately 29 minutes from Rochester, 1 hour 43 minutes from Minneapolis, and 54 minutes from La Crosse (WI), making it an ideal destination for weekend trips or even a quick overnight escape.

The "cart-in" nature of Gooseberry Glen means that while you park your vehicle in a lot, your campsite is just a short, manageable walk away using provided push carts. This design provides a sense of seclusion and a more immersive natural experience, as you don't have vehicles directly at your site. The park's entrance and visitor center are easily identifiable, and maps will guide you to the Gooseberry Glen area. The beautiful drive through the rolling hills and dense forests of the Whitewater Valley sets the perfect tone for your secluded camping adventure.

• Cart-in Tent Sites: Gooseberry Glen offers dedicated "cart-in" tent sites. This means campers park in a designated lot and use provided push carts to transport their gear a short distance to their secluded, woodsy campsite.

• Basic Site Amenities: Each campsite is equipped with essential features including a picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring, allowing campers to cook and enjoy campfires.

• Drinking Water Access: Potable drinking water is available near the cart-in parking lot, ensuring campers have access to fresh water.

• Restrooms (Flush & Vault): While the cart-in sites are more primitive, flush toilets and very clean, nice bath houses are available within the larger Whitewater State Park campgrounds (e.g., Cedar Hill, Minneiska loops), which campers can drive to use. Vault toilets are also available closer to the cart-in parking lot.

• Hot Showers (Paid): Hot showers are available ($) within the park's electric campgrounds, providing a comfortable option for refreshing after a day of hiking.

• Dump Station: A dump station is available within Whitewater State Park (typically mid-April through October), providing convenient waste disposal for RVs, though Gooseberry Glen itself is primarily for tents.

• Firewood and Ice for Sale: Essential camping supplies like firewood and ice are available for purchase at the park office/campground.

• Visitor Center and Nature Store: Whitewater State Park features a year-round visitor center and a large Nature Store, offering information, educational programs, and park merchandise.

• Secluded and Woodsy Campsites: The cart-in sites are highly praised for being quiet, woodsy, and secluded, offering a private and immersive natural experience. Sites are well-placed, often next to the stream.

• No Mosquitoes (Remarkable for Minnesota!): A truly unique and significant highlight is the "noticeable absence of mosquitoes" in Whitewater State Park, making outdoor activities much more enjoyable. This is attributed to the spring-fed rivers and unique geology.

• Excellent Trout Fishing: Whitewater State Park is an "angler's paradise" with brown, brook, and rainbow trout swimming in the spring-fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek. Many campsites offer direct access to the water for fishing.

• Extensive Hiking Trails: The park boasts a variety of "easy-to-challenging hiking trails" with interesting geology, elevation changes, and scenic vistas, perfect for exploring the beautiful blufflands. Reviewers mention challenging 4-mile loops with fantastic fall colors.

• Sandy Swimming Beach: A sandy swimming beach is available within Whitewater State Park, offering a refreshing spot for a dip during warmer months.

• Scenic Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek: The clear, babbling brooks and rivers that run through the park add to the serene ambiance and provide opportunities for water activities and relaxation.

• Beautiful Fall Colors: The park is highly recommended for experiencing stunning fall foliage, making it a popular destination during autumn.

• Year-Round Naturalist Programs: Whitewater State Park offers year-round naturalist programs, providing educational and engaging activities for visitors of all ages.

As a campground within a Minnesota State Park, Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground adheres to the pricing and reservation structure set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While specific "promotions" in the commercial sense are not typically offered, the park itself provides inherent value and specific booking advantages for locals.

• State Park Vehicle Permit: To enter Whitewater State Park and access the campground, a Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit is required. These can be purchased annually or for a daily rate. An annual permit is often seen as a "special offer" for frequent visitors, providing unlimited access to all Minnesota State Parks for a year.

• Reservations Highly Recommended: Due to the park's popularity, especially for its unique mosquito-free environment and beautiful fall colors, sites (including cart-in sites) are often booked up to 90 days in advance. While not a promotion, planning ahead ensures you secure your desired peaceful spot. Checking for cancellations can sometimes lead to last-minute availability.

• Affordable Camping Rates: Compared to private campgrounds, state park camping rates are typically very reasonable, offering excellent value for the quality of the natural setting and park amenities. Specific rates for Gooseberry Glen Cart-in sites can be found on the Minnesota DNR's online reservation system, ReserveMN.

It's always recommended to visit the official Minnesota DNR website for Whitewater State Park or use their ReserveMN booking portal for the most accurate and up-to-date information on camping fees, availability, and any park-specific alerts or seasonal updates.

For inquiries or to make reservations for Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground within Whitewater State Park, please use the following contact details:

Park Address: 19041 Highway 74, Altura, Minnesota 55910

Phone: (507) 312-2300

Email: whitewater.statepark@state.mn.us

Website for Reservations and Park Information:

You can typically find detailed information, check campsite availability, and make reservations through the official Minnesota DNR website for Whitewater State Park or via their statewide reservation system, ReserveMN. This is the most efficient way to plan your visit and secure your preferred cart-in site.

For Minnesota residents, Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground within Whitewater State Park presents an exceptionally suitable and highly desirable camping destination. Its convenient location, just a short drive from major population centers like Rochester and the Twin Cities, makes it easily accessible for weekend getaways or even a quick mid-week escape. This proximity allows locals to quickly transition from urban life to a serene natural environment without extensive travel time.

What truly sets Gooseberry Glen apart for Minnesotans is its unique blend of seclusion and amenity. The cart-in sites offer the privacy and quiet of a more remote, woodsy experience, allowing for true immersion in nature, while still providing access to clean restrooms, showers, and potable water within the wider park. This balance caters perfectly to those who desire a rustic feel without completely roughing it. Crucially, the renowned "no mosquitoes" feature is a game-changer for any Minnesotan outdoor enthusiast, transforming summer camping into a far more enjoyable and comfortable experience.

Beyond comfort, the park itself is a natural playground. The spring-fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek offer prime trout fishing opportunities, a significant draw for local anglers. The extensive network of hiking trails, with their challenging terrain and stunning fall colors, provides endless exploration for hikers of all levels. Gooseberry Glen allows locals to experience the unique "Driftless Area" landscape, showcasing a different facet of Minnesota's diverse natural beauty. For those seeking a peaceful, private, and genuinely refreshing outdoor adventure, where you can hear the stream, enjoy beautiful fall foliage, and escape the usual summer buzz, Gooseberry Glen Cart-in Campground is an absolute must-visit. It’s an ideal spot to create cherished outdoor memories right in your own backyard.