Skip to content
Nerstrand Big Woods Walk-In Campsites permit area in Nerstrand Big Woods (MN) - backcountry hiking destination
One date at a time

Nerstrand Big Woods Walk-In Campsites Permit

Nerstrand Big Woods (MN) · Minnesota

Four walk-in sites in the old-growth Big Woods forest.

Get an alert when Nerstrand Walk-In opens on your dates.

Get alerts for your Nerstrand Walk-In dates

One Nerstrand Walk-In 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 Nerstrand Walk-In were gone within 10 minutes.

Nerstrand Walk-In reservation dates

max group size
6people

How to get a Nerstrand Walk-In permit

As of September 2026, Nerstrand Walk-In in Nerstrand Big Woods (MN), Minnesota requires a permit issued via reservation. Nerstrand Walk-In is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Nerstrand Walk-In permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.

Type
Overnight
Location
Big Woods, 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 Nerstrand Walk-In: Live availability activityWhen Nerstrand Walk-In permits open up

The Nerstrand Walk-In hike

Nerstrand Walk-In landmarks

  1. 1Hidden Falls

    DNR: "It's a one-half mile trail to get to the waterfall. The Hidden Falls trailhead is located at the picnic area parking lot."

  2. 2Hidden Falls Trail

    DNR: "1-mile loop — Steep terrain • Packed dirt • Stairs • Boardwalk — Wildflowers line this trail each spring... Descend to the valley floor to find the Hidden Falls."

  3. 3Big Woods Trail

    DNR: "1 mile one-way — Find the park's tallest and straightest Big Woods trees."

  4. 4Fawn Trail

    DNR: "1.7-mile loop — Stunning views over Prairie Creek and sweeping expanses of the Big Woods."

Four walk-in sites in the last of Minnesota's Big Woods.

Why it matters

The Big Woods was a maple-basswood forest that once covered a large part of southern Minnesota; Nerstrand holds one of the last substantial remnants. Four walk-in sites and six cart-in sites are the only ways to sleep in it off a road.

The feeling

Closed canopy, deep leaf litter, and a walk of half a mile or less with everything in your arms: DNR provides no cart at the walk-in sites.

Nerstrand Walk-In hike highlights

  1. Minnesota DNR's definition of the category: "Cart-in and walk-in campsites in Minnesota state parks are not accessible by motor vehicle, but are a half mile or less from parking."
  2. "All sites typically have access to primitive toilets and water, and will have a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad." DNR's own hedge, "typically", is worth taking seriously; ring the park if water matters to your plan.
  3. "walk-in sites have the same amenities as cart-in sites, but do not provide a cart."
  4. The Minnesota reservation system lists this facility as "Walk In Campsites" with four units, Walk-In #W1 through #W4.
  5. Minnesota DNR's published cart-in and walk-in rate at Nerstrand Big Woods is $24 per site, per night, plus tax.
  6. "Seasonal availability varies by park." The booking calendar shows which nights are open.
  7. DNR: "Walk-in Sites | 4 sites — Farthest site is 200 yards from the parking area. Easy walk-in. All sites are rustic."
  8. "Farthest site is 200 yards" is a bound on the worst case, not a distance to any particular site, so no route distance is claimed here.
  9. Water: "Drinking water is available at the red spigot near the visitor center, green water fountains, campground spigots, the dump station drinking water spigot or from the drinking fountain inside the visitor center during open hours."
  10. Toilets: "There are 2 vault toilets near the picnic area and 2 vault toilets at the walk-in/cart-in campground available for use. There are flushable toilets available in the visitor center during open hours."
  11. A live outage as of DNR's 8/9 notice: "As of Sunday 8/9, the shower and restroom building in the main campground is out of order. Flushable toilets are located in the picnic shelter building which is open 24/7. There are no other showers in the park."
  12. Parking fills. DNR: "The main parking lot and overflow lot fill up quickly - arrive early in the day if you can. Overflow parking is available one quarter mile west of the ranger station in the cart-in lot."
  13. Buy the vehicle permit before you drive out: "Due to poor cell service at the park, we recommend you purchase permits online before you arrive."
  14. Season is published for the services, not the sites: "Showers will be available May 6 through mid-October. Flush toilets are available May 6 through mid-October."

Trailhead information

Main parking lot

Primary

DNR: "Farthest site is 200 yards from the parking area. Easy walk-in."

  • Restrooms
  • Water on site
  • Weak Signal

Before you rely on this water

DNR lists the red spigot near the visitor center, green water fountains, campground spigots, the dump station spigot, and the fountain inside the visitor center during open hours. The indoor one depends on visitor-center hours; the outdoor spigots are the ones to plan on.

Parking

DNR: "The main parking lot and overflow lot fill up quickly - arrive early in the day if you can. Overflow parking is available one quarter mile west of the ranger station in the cart-in lot."

Nearest Services

Nerstrand and Northfield. DNR advises buying the vehicle permit online before arriving because of poor cell service.

When to hike Nerstrand Walk-In

Best time to visit

DNR writes the seasons out: "In the spring, the forest floor is a spectacular wildflower garden where many plants like hepatica, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, and the rare dwarf trout lily bloom. Relax by Hidden Falls or take a peaceful hike in the summer. The autumn brings bursts of red, orange, and gold in the maple-basswood forest, one of the last extensive stands of the 'Big Woods.'" Its own highlights are spring wildflowers, fall colour and Hidden Falls. Showers and flush toilets run May 6 through mid-October.

Nerstrand Walk-In rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • A pack or a duffel you can carry. Walk-in sites get no cart
  • 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

  • Boots that cope with mud; the Big Woods floor holds water
  • Water containers, given DNR's "typically"

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/nerstrand_big_woods/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!" The same notice said "Attended campfires are allowed in established fire rings in state park campgrounds, including drive-in, cart-in and walk-in campsites. If you choose to have a campfire, please keep it small, always supervise the fire, and make sure it is completely out before you walk away." That was DNR's position on that date under fire danger it called very high, and the same notice already banned fires at the backcountry hike-in, backpack and boat-in sites. It can tighten to a full ban before you arrive.

Hazards & considerations

  • DNR: "Sturdy hiking shoes are suggested as you may encounter rocks, roots, and other natural terrain."
  • DNR's visitor tips: "Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily protection areas are posted and designated with ropes. Protect this plant that only grows in Minnesota." "Stop the spread of invasive plants. Stay on trails and clean your shoes." "Care for our trees. Ropes may not be attached to trees", which rules out the obvious hammock anchor.
  • DNR: "Due to poor cell service at the park, we recommend you purchase permits online before you arrive." Assume you cannot call from the site.
  • DNR, 8/9: "the shower and restroom building in the main campground is out of order... There are no other showers in the park."

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Nerstrand Walk-In.

Food Storage

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

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Nerstrand Walk-In · 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.

Nerstrand Walk-In FAQ

How do I get a Nerstrand Walk-In permit?

PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Nerstrand Walk-In cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Nerstrand Walk-In permits use a reservation system.

When is the best time to visit Nerstrand Walk-In?

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

How competitive is the Nerstrand Walk-In permit?

This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Nerstrand Walk-In 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.

Nerstrand Walk-In 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 Nerstrand Walk-In.

Trip Reports

Write Report

No trip reports yet

Be the first to share your experience at Nerstrand Walk-In.

Write the First Report

Alternatives to a Nerstrand Walk-In permit

  • Same AreaPermit required

    Nerstrand Big Woods Cart-In Campsites

    Six cart-in sites in the same park, with a cart at the parking area.

    Tradeoffs

    Two more sites and a cart to carry the load, at the same $24.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Frontenac Cart-In Campground

    Six cart-in sites on the Mississippi bluffs an hour east.

    Tradeoffs

    Same rate, bigger views, no old-growth canopy.

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.