Skip to content
Mille Lacs Kathio Backpack Campsites permit area in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (MN) - backcountry hiking destination
One date at a time

Mille Lacs Kathio Backpack Campsites Permit

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (MN) · Minnesota

Four backpack sites reached on foot from the park trail system.

Get an alert when Kathio Backpack opens on your dates.

Get alerts for your Kathio Backpack dates

One Kathio Backpack reservation is one date. Tell us every date you'd take and we'll ping you the second one of them opens up.

Leave the second date blank if only one day works. A wider window catches more openings.

Party

When it opens

120 days
First come, first served from 120 days before your start date, at 8 am CentralYou book on the agency's site.

Source: dnr.state.mn.us

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Kathio Backpack were gone within 10 minutes.

Kathio Backpack reservation dates

max group size
6people

How to get a Kathio Backpack permit

As of September 2026, Kathio Backpack in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (MN), Minnesota requires a permit issued via reservation. Kathio Backpack rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Kathio Backpack permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.

Type
Backpacking
Location
Mille Lacs, MN

  1. Step 1: Create a Minnesota State Parks (ReserveMN) account

    Sign up at Minnesota State Parks (ReserveMN) if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Minnesota State Parks (ReserveMN)
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation hunting

More on Kathio Backpack: Live availability activityWhen Kathio Backpack permits open up

The Kathio Backpack hike

Kathio Backpack landmarks

  1. 1Glacial Ridge Campsite

    DNR: "adjacent to a large beaver pond on a wooded glacial ridge, a 0.75 mile walk from the dump station parking area."

  2. 2Sunset Meadow Campsite

    DNR: "in an oak and maple forest on the edge of a meadow of sedges and other wetland plants, a 1.5 mile walk from the trail center."

  3. 3Kanketanka Campsite

    DNR: "overlooks a woodland pond, a 1.75 mile walk from the trail center."

  4. 4Black Bass Campsite

    DNR: "on the south shore of Black Bass Lake, a 2 mile walk from the dump station parking area." DNR calls Black Bass a designated Heritage Lake with special regulations.

  5. 5Landmark Trail

    DNR: "1-mile... Hike to the sites of former American Indian villages," along the shore of Ogechie Lake.

  6. 6Fire tower

    DNR lists a "100 foot fire tower to climb" among the park highlights.

Four backpack sites near the south end of Mille Lacs Lake.

Why it matters

Four sites, each named and each with its own published distance from its own start point. It is also a National Historic Landmark District at the head of the Rum River, and DNR asks visitors to practice bear safety.

The feeling

Four sites with four characters, all named by DNR: a beaver pond on a glacial ridge, a woodland pond, the south shore of a heritage lake, and the edge of a sedge meadow in oak and maple. The last tap is at the trail centre or the park entrance, so the water goes on your back.

Kathio Backpack hike highlights

  1. Minnesota DNR's definition of the category: "Backcountry campsites in Minnesota state parks are not accessible by motor vehicle and are a half mile or more from a parking area. They do not have electricity, and are a popular option for backpackers, paddlers, and bicyclists."
  2. "Backcountry sites typically have primitive toilet facilities and water, a tent pad, and a fire ring. Some have a picnic table and a grill on the fire ring, and a few have shelters."
  3. The Minnesota reservation system lists this facility as "Backpack Campsites" with four units, named Backpack #BLKB, #GLAR, #KNKA and #SUNM.
  4. Minnesota DNR's published backcountry rate at Mille Lacs Kathio is $23 per site, per night, plus tax.
  5. "Seasonal availability varies by park." The booking calendar shows which nights are open.
  6. The best-documented of the fifteen. DNR names all four sites and gives a distance for each: "The park has four backpack sites." "Glacial Ridge Campsite is adjacent to a large beaver pond on a wooded glacial ridge, a 0.75 mile walk from the dump station parking area." "Kanketanka Campsite overlooks a woodland pond, a 1.75 mile walk from the trail center." "Black Bass Campsite is located on the south shore of Black Bass Lake, a 2 mile walk from the dump station parking area." "Sunset Meadow Campsite is located in an oak and maple forest on the edge of a meadow of sedges and other wetland plants, a 1.5 mile walk from the trail center."
  7. Four sites, four different distances, two different start points. Pick the site, then read its own figure.
  8. The reservation system's unit names line up exactly: #BLKB, #GLAR, #KNKA, #SUNM.
  9. Water, and what it depends on. DNR: "You can find drinking water at the Park entrance and the Trail Center Building," and separately that "water is now on for the summer camping season." It states no water at any of the four sites, so the last tap is at the trail centre or the entrance, up to two miles behind you, on a supply DNR describes by season rather than as permanent.
  10. Toilets: "Vault toilets are available year-round throughout the park." "Pit toilets are available throughout the park."
  11. Season, park-wide rather than per site: "Campsites can be reserved up to 120 days in advance and are recommended for weekends and holidays, May 1st to Oct 1st, 2026." Showers and the accessible restrooms run May through mid-October.
  12. DNR's own July 2026 alert: "Due to strong winds and storms in recent weeks, there may be trees down on some of our hiking trails and on route to the backpack campsites. Our crew are currently working on clearing these." Also, "The Interpretive/Visitor Center will be CLOSED for the rest of 2026, due to building construction."

Trailhead information

Dump station parking area

Primary

DNR's start point for two of the four sites: Glacial Ridge at 0.75 mile and Black Bass at 2 miles.

  • No restrooms
  • No water

Parking

A Minnesota state park vehicle permit must be displayed on any vehicle left here. DNR: "the main park road is very winding, please follow posted speed limit."

Nearest Services

Onamia, on the south side of Mille Lacs Lake.

Trailhead information

Trail Center

Alternate

DNR's start point for the other two: Sunset Meadow at 1.5 miles and Kanketanka at 1.75 miles.

  • Restrooms
  • Water on site

Before you rely on this water

DNR: "You can find drinking water at the Park entrance and the Trail Center Building." That is the last tap, on a supply DNR describes seasonally: "water is now on for the summer camping season." It states no water at any of the four sites, and two of them are 1.5 to 2 miles out. Ring the park before a shoulder-season trip.

Parking

A Minnesota state park vehicle permit must be displayed on any vehicle left here.

Nearest Services

Onamia. DNR's accessible restrooms at the trail center are year-round; the campground ones run May to mid-October.

When to hike Kathio Backpack

Best time to visit

DNR points at autumn and says why: "The best riding is in September and October, when fall leaf color is vibrant and bugs are at a minimum. Horse trails are minimum maintenance and can be very buggy during summer months. In spring - or anytime after a big rainfall - trails are muddy." On the Black Bass trail it adds, "visit in fall and experience migrating waterfowl," and on Glacial Ridge, "appreciate spring wildflowers or beautiful fall colors as you hike near a beaver pond." DNR recommends reserving for weekends and holidays May 1 to October 1.

Kathio Backpack rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • A pack: no cart is provided
  • A Minnesota state park vehicle permit for the car you leave at the trailhead
  • Water, or a way to treat it: DNR says these sites "typically" have water, which is not the same as always
  • A camp stove, and a meal plan that works on it. Minnesota DNR closes fire rings at short notice, and its Tettegouche notice of 2026-08-10 read "Camp stoves are permitted for cooking."

Recommended gear

  • Water containers, given DNR's hedged amenity list
  • Insect repellent for the lake country in early summer

Rules & regulations

  1. 01All campsites require a reservation. Minnesota DNR: "All campsites require a reservation. Please make a reservation online or call 866-857-2757."
  2. 02Reservations open 120 days before arrival, and same-day bookings are allowed. On the day a date first becomes available, online reservations cannot be made before 8 a.m.
  3. 03The reservation fee is $8.00 online and $10.00 by phone, non-refundable. There is no fee for a same-day booking.
  4. 04Camping check-in is after 4 p.m. and checkout is by 4 p.m. If you have not checked in by 11 a.m. on the second day of the reservation, DNR may cancel it.
  5. 05"A campsite's occupancy is limited to one camping group of six people or less, one camping shelter, and one vehicle." More than that needs the park manager's prior approval.
  6. 06Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and generators may not run in those hours.
  7. 07Park hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year, and "only campers with a reserved campsite are allowed in the park after 10 p.m."
  8. 08Every vehicle entering a Minnesota state park must display a valid year-round or one-day state park vehicle permit.
  9. 09Firewood transport is regulated. DNR allows wood bought at this park for use in this park, Minnesota Department of Agriculture certified firewood anywhere on DNR land, and an uncertified bundle only if it is not ash and was harvested in the county where you will burn it: "be sure to keep your receipt and the bundle label to show proof of purchase."
  10. 10Firewood from home, pallet wood, and painted, stained or metal-bearing lumber are all prohibited, and "collection of firewood in state parks is not allowed."
  11. 11Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter, or in a portable enclosure, and must be personally attended at all times.
  12. 12It is illegal to consume or display intoxicating liquors in Minnesota state parks.
  13. 13Fireworks and metal detectors are not permitted.
  14. 14Hammocks need trees at least 12 inches in diameter and straps at least an inch wide, one hammock per tree, hung over mowed and cleared ground.
  15. 15You may pick edible fruits and mushrooms for personal consumption; picking wildflowers or other plants is not allowed.
  16. 16Campfires here run on a live burning restriction that moves with fire danger, so a fire ring at the site is not permission to use it. The authority is this park's own Camping & Lodging page, https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/camping.html. Read it in the week you travel, not the week you book.
  17. 17Read 2026-08-10, that page carried: "Attention visitors - fire danger is very high!" and "Campfires are not allowed in backcountry (hike-in/backpack and boat-in) campsites, even if there is a fire ring." DNR sells this facility as a backpack site, which is the half of that sentence the ban names.
  18. 18Bear country. DNR: "Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent or camping hammock. Store in approved bear-resistant containers, or out of sight in a locked vehicle." It also says to keep a clean camp and "cook downwind and as far from your tent as possible."
  19. 19DNR's own July 2026 park alert repeats it in three words: "Please practice bear safety while visiting."

Hazards & considerations

  • DNR, July 2026: "Due to strong winds and storms in recent weeks, there may be trees down on some of our hiking trails and on route to the backpack campsites. Our crew are currently working on clearing these."
  • DNR, same alert: "Please practice bear safety while visiting."
  • DNR's visitor tips: "Watch for wood ticks and deer ticks." "Pack your bug spray in the summer months for a more enjoyable hike." "The main park road is very winding, please follow posted speed limit." "Check park website and bulletin boards for seasonal trail closures."
  • DNR states drinking water at the park entrance and the Trail Center Building, and none at the sites. Two of the four are 1.5 to 2 miles from those taps.
  • DNR: "The Interpretive/Visitor Center will be CLOSED for the rest of 2026, due to building construction."

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Kathio Backpack.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Kathio Backpack · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

Kathio Backpack FAQ

How do I get a Kathio Backpack permit?

PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Kathio Backpack cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Kathio Backpack permits use a reservation system.

When is the best time to visit Kathio Backpack?

Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Kathio Backpack permit?

This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.

What if I can't get a Kathio Backpack permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.

Kathio Backpack trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

Sign in to report trail conditions.

Questions

No questions yet

Be the first to ask about Kathio Backpack.

Trip Reports

Write Report

No trip reports yet

Be the first to share your experience at Kathio Backpack.

Write the First Report

Alternatives to a Kathio Backpack permit

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    St. Croix Backpack Campsites

    Two sites in Minnesota's largest state park, an hour and a half east.

    Tradeoffs

    A far longer walk: the reservation system labels the facility "5-6 mile hike in".

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Maplewood Backpack Campsites

    Three backpack sites in the hardwood hills to the west.

    Tradeoffs

    $22 rather than $23, and one fewer site.

Plan the full trip, not just the permit

Build your full itinerary start to finish

Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.

Plan a trip here

No permit needed to start

One tick helps us more than you’d think

Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Add PermitSnag in Google

Takes less than a minute.