By:
Submission
The Hennepin Canal State Park is not enrolled in the ReserveAmerica camping reservation system and DOES NOT take camping reservations. Camping at the Canal is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no set check-in or check-out times. The Canal’s site security officer makes rounds to each campsite to collect camping fees, in-person. Campers can pay by cash or check.
Camping along the Hennepin Canal towpath is PROHIBITED – camping is only allowed in the designated campsites. Fires are only allowed in the state designated fire pits at the campgrounds. Camping is not permitted in the main complex area (the area around the visitor center).
Currently, the ONLY DRINKING WATER available on the ENTIRE canal is located at the main parking lot in front of the visitor center at the large shelter. There is also a faucet on the side of the visitor center, just to the left of the main entrance. There are no operable drinking water fountains along the rest of the canal so bring your own water for your hike or camping trip.
The canal offers class "C" (primitive camping without showers or electricity) for $8.00 per family/per night, regardless of mode of camping, i.e. tent, camper, pop-up.
Youth groups = $20.00 daily minimum. When the minimum has been met, each additional person is $2.00 per night. Each group of up to 15 youths must be supervised by at least one adult. Youths are considered persons under the age of 18.
IL Senior citizens camp for free from Monday-Thursday; Friday-Sunday = $8.00.
IL Disabled persons with a Class 2 or Class 2A card camp for free Sunday-Saturday.
Kayaking on the Henepin is peaceful until your dog falls out of the kayak. Then it becomes a rescue mission.
The good: It was free the night we stayed(I always free from what we hear because a ranger might come by to collect camping fee). The fireflies at night were wonderful to watch from our tent. Camping is allowed on the grass. The canal provided a nice place to walk and boat if that's your thing. Great location a short distance from the freeway.
The bad: The bugs are relentless. Harmless daddy long leg type spiders took up residence in our tent rainfly. Took a couple minutes to clear out about 30 of these spiders. The locals can be an interesting bunch... That's all I'm going to say about that.
Overall not bad for a quick and free overnight stop, but I might next time want to try someplace else.... Where the Best Western across the freeway. 😆
