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Whitewater Gooseberry Glen Cart-In Campground permit area in Whitewater State Park (MN) - backcountry hiking destination
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Whitewater Gooseberry Glen Cart-In Campground Permit

Whitewater State Park (MN) · Minnesota

Six cart-in sites at Gooseberry Glen, 300 to 650 yards from parking. DNR counts eight cart-in sites park-wide; six of them are here. The busiest permit-shaped facility in the Minnesota system by occupancy.

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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 Gooseberry Glen were gone within 10 minutes.

Gooseberry Glen reservation dates

max group size
6people

How to get a Gooseberry Glen permit

As of September 2026, Gooseberry Glen in Whitewater State Park (MN), Minnesota requires a permit issued via reservation. Gooseberry Glen is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Gooseberry Glen permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.

Type
Overnight
Location
Whitewater Valley, 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 Gooseberry Glen: Live availability activityWhen Gooseberry Glen permits open upReserveMN (Minnesota State Parks) permit and campground cancellations

The Gooseberry Glen hike

Gooseberry Glen landmarks

  1. 1Whitewater River valley

    The limestone valley the park follows, in Minnesota's driftless southeast. DNR: "an angler's paradise with brown, brook, and rainbow trout swimming in the spring-fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek."

  2. 2Chimney Rock Trail

    DNR: "0.7-mile loop — Steep and hilly • Over 100 stairs • Bare rock • Packed dirt — Hike up a bluff to visit the famous Chimney Rock."

  3. 3Dakota Trail

    DNR: "4.2-mile loop — Steep and hilly • Over 200 stairs — The bluffs and valleys on this rigorous trail are a favorite of scouts, cross country runners and wilderness backpackers."

  4. 4Inspiration Point Trail

    DNR: "0.5 miles one-way — Witness a pre-settlement vista free from any signs of civilization."

  5. 5Elba Fire Tower

    DNR: "Visit the historic Elba Fire Tower (more information at front desk)."

Six cart-in sites in the Whitewater valley, the hardest cart-in booking Minnesota publishes.

About this permit

Minnesota DNR and the state reservation system publish different cart-in counts for this park, so both are on the page. DNR: "Cart-in Sites — The park's eight sites are located 300 to 650 yards from the parking area." The facility you book through this page, "Gooseberry Glen Cart-In Campground", holds six units, Cart-In #CI 1 through #CI 6. DNR separately says Cedar Hill Campground "has 6 accessible sites... and one is cart-in access only", which accounts for a seventh; nothing either source publishes accounts for the eighth. Read it as eight cart-in sites park-wide, six of them in Gooseberry Glen.

Why it matters

Whitewater is a limestone valley in the driftless southeast with a reputation for having no mosquitoes, and Gooseberry Glen is the part of it you cannot drive to. Six sites against that demand is why cancellations here move within minutes.

The feeling

Limestone bluff walls on both sides, spring-fed trout water in the bottom, over a hundred stairs on the nearest trail up, and a park DNR advertises for its "noticeable lack of mosquitoes." Six cart-in sites against that.

Gooseberry Glen 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. "Cart-in campsites will have a large cart available at the parking area to help you carry gear."
  4. The Minnesota reservation system lists this facility as "Gooseberry Glen Cart-In Campground" with six units, Cart-In #CI 1 through #CI 6.
  5. Minnesota DNR's published cart-in and walk-in rate at Whitewater is $25 per site, per night, plus tax, the top of its published range.
  6. "Seasonal availability varies by park." The booking calendar shows which nights are open.
  7. DNR gives the distance as a range: "The park's eight sites are located 300 to 650 yards from the parking area." A range is not a distance, so no single route figure appears here.
  8. DNR says the park has eight cart-in sites, six of them here in Gooseberry Glen (Cart-In #CI 1 through #CI 6). Cedar Hill Campground "has 6 accessible sites... and one is cart-in access only".
  9. Season: "Camping is available year-round" park-wide, and the cart-in campground is not on DNR's winter list: "Winter camping sites are in the Minneiska Campground and are electric."
  10. Water, and what it depends on. DNR: "Drinking water bubblers are ON for the 2026 season." It describes the spigot outside the Visitor Center near the flag pole as running the whole year, and then supplies its own caveat: "the spigot does sometimes freeze in the winter, so plan accordingly." The fountain inside the Visitor Center depends on opening hours.
  11. Toilets: "Vault toilets throughout the park are available year-round." "There are three restroom buildings in the campgrounds." Showers and flush toilets run mid-April through mid-October.
  12. Hammocks: Whitewater publishes the exact site list that takes one, and no Gooseberry Glen "CI" site is on it. The published list is "3e, 4e, 6e, 8e, 11e, 14e, 19e, 20e, 21e, 22e, 25e, 26e, 32e, 37e, 38e, 39e, 41e, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 56, 59, 61, 63, 69, 231e, and 241."
  13. A live beach note: "Water levels at the beach have dropped unexpectedly. Swimming is not advised at this time. Conditions may continue to change."

When to hike Gooseberry Glen

Best time to visit

DNR's pitch for this park is unusual: "The noticeable lack of mosquitoes makes this a great park for camping," which it repeats in its highlights list. Add "spectacular spring wildflowers," the rare Louisiana waterthrush to listen for in spring, and "a refreshing dip in the cold, spring-fed water", though DNR advises against swimming with the beach water low. Camping is year-round park-wide, but winter camping is in the Minneiska Campground, not here. On a facility this heavily booked the mechanic matters most: 120 days ahead, and no online booking before 8 a.m. on the day a date first opens.

Gooseberry Glen rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • Nothing specialised; DNR provides the cart at the parking area
  • 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

  • A second and third date in mind: by occupancy this is the hardest cart-in booking in the Minnesota system
  • 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/whitewater/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's hazard list for this park: "Wear hiking shoes (not flip flops)." "Trail crossings and steps may be slippery, use caution." "There are cliffs, keep small children close." "Check for wood and black-legged ticks." "Watch for poison ivy and wild parsnip."
  • DNR alert: "Water levels at the beach have dropped unexpectedly. Swimming is not advised at this time. Conditions may continue to change."
  • No Gooseberry Glen site appears on DNR's published list of hammock-capable sites.
  • Non-emergency sheriff number, published by DNR: 507-457-6368. There is Wi-Fi at the visitor center.

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Gooseberry Glen.

Food Storage

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

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

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Gooseberry Glen FAQ

How do I get a Gooseberry Glen permit?

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

When is the best time to visit Gooseberry Glen?

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

How competitive is the Gooseberry Glen permit?

This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Gooseberry Glen 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.

Gooseberry Glen trail conditions and trip reports

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Alternatives to a Gooseberry Glen permit

  • Same AreaPermit required

    Great River Bluffs Cart-In Campsites

    Four cart-in sites on the Mississippi bluffs, forty minutes southeast.

    Tradeoffs

    $24 instead of $25, fewer sites, and far less competition.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Nerstrand Big Woods Cart-In Campsites

    Six cart-in sites under Big Woods canopy, an hour and a half west.

    Tradeoffs

    Same number of sites at $24, in old forest rather than a river valley.

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