Mille Lacs Kathio SP, Minnesota

[AustinBoston]

Mille Lacs Kathio SP (a.k.a. Kathio) is a large state park about 1-1/2 hours north of Minnesota's Twin Cities.  It is just south of lake Mille Lacs, and less than 10 minutes south of Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

There are two regular campgrounds, a group camp, and a horse camp.  We stayed in Petaga campground.  We did not see Ogechie campground or the Rum River group camp.

Most of the sites are back-in sites.  There are a few pull-through sites, and a few sites labeled "accessible," which are reserved for those camping with limited mobility persons unless all other sites are taken.  If you qualify, you definitely want one of the accessible sites, as some of the other sites actually have stairs between different parts of the site!  There are also a small number of walk-in sites and some cabins.

In Petaga, about half the sites are electric sites.  Ogechie has no electric sites.  There are no water sites (spigots are scattered through the campground) and no sewer sites.  I almost forgot; the park does not currently have a dump station.  The nearest is in Onamia, about 7 miles away.  They ask a donation if you use it.  There is another in Father Hennepin SP, which is about 15 miles to the east.

The sites are fairly large (see photos below) and private.  The surface is generally gravel.  They have lots of tree cover and between-site undergrowth.  We could see the site across from us, but could not see the sites on either side of us.  This park is on a glacial terminal moraine, which means the topography is rolling hills with many small lakes.  Therefore, many sites are uneven or unlevel; I saw nothing that a package of linx or a BAL could not handle, but you might need the full range of adjustment.

Regular restrooms/showers were clean, and the vault unit near our campsite was usable.

There is a great deal of wildlife in and near the campground.  We saw or saw direct evidence of whitetail deer, racoons, turtles, frogs, many species of birds (including bald eagles and common loons), and one skunk.

Dogs are welcome, but be sure to follow park rules.

We drove though the horse camp, which was little more than an open field with hitching posts and an extra bin for horse refuse.  It has modern restroom facilities, but we did not look at them so can't comment on their condition.

Reservations are possible on about 65% of the sites, with 35% held for first-come, first served.  Reservations can be made a year in advance (this is a change).  You will need reservations on holiday weekends, and all weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Most or all FCFS sites are taken by mid-day Friday.

The park itself has a lot to offer.  See the link above for more info.  There is also plenty to do in the area, including the casino and the Minnesota Historical Society's Mille Lacs Indian Museum & trading post.  See http://www.millelacs.com/ for more ideas.

This site (#50) was typical, though a few non-electric sites are larger:


This is a composite image of the site we used (#51):


Bring bug spray; the mosquitoes can be terrible.  But this is true of all state park campgrounds in Minnesota, where the mosquito is the unofficial state bird.

We would definitely reccomend this campground and would stay there again.

Google map showing Mille Lacs Kathio SP

Austin

[mn_guy]

Mille Lacs Kathio SP (a.k.a. Kathio) is a large state park about 1-1/2 hours north of Minnesota's Twin Cities.  It is just south of lake Mille Lacs, and less than 10 minutes south of Grand Casino Mille Lacs.
 
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Thanks for this writeup, Austin.  Because of it I think we're going to head up there in September.  As I looked at the MNDNR site it looked like 51 isn't an electric site though.  Do you recall any really good electric sites that you'd recommend for us?

Thanks!

[Kelly]

I'm not AB (and I don't even play him on TV), but I was there the same time he was.  The only sites I would avoid are the ones closest to the bath house ~ 43, 44, 45 and 46.  They aren't even bad sites ~ just a little less private.  Mille Lacs Kathio is one of those parks where it would be hard to find a bad site.

Enjoy your time there.  We've been twice and will probably go back again.

[mn_guy]

From the sounds of it we won't have any troubles enjoying our time there.  Thanks for the insight!

[AustinBoston]

I agree with Kelly.  The only "less desireable" sites are the ones nearest the restrooms, which are also the "accessible" sites.  And they are not bad sites.

Bring plenty of bug spray.

Austin