“We are pretty close to being booked at this point for this last weekend,” said Andy Soltvedt who is with the Anoka County Parks system.
Mid-October is a final chance for campers to enjoy Bunker’s natural appeal.
“We know a lot of families like to get out and still get that fall camping experience in,” Soltvedt said. “Typically we keep Bunker Hills campground open through MEA weekend.”
Mild weather is a huge draw for fall campers.
“It’s hard to pass up those nice, cool mornings and evenings with no bugs and getting by a campfire,” Soltvedt said. “It tends to be a very popular time for us.”
Julia Jansen and her husband spent a few days at Bunker recently.
“I love the cool air, having the fires at night,” Jansen said. “I like fall camping.”
Picturesque October day
Recently, the Jansen’s – who are from Oakdale – soaked up a picturesque October day in the early morning chill at their camp site.
“It’s comfortable,” Jansen said. “. Summertime is hot and sticky and buggy. Fall you can sit outside and enjoy the weather and the beauty and the birds and the animals. It’s just relaxing.”
For Jansen, Bunker provides an up north vibe despite being in the Twin Cities metro.
“You don’t feel like you’re in the city,” Jansen said.
“There’s something great about heading up north but there’s the challenges of hooking up and going for two hours,” Soltvedt said. “Here you can leave your house and in 20 minutes be sitting at your campfire which is not a bad gig.”
Camping numbers up
Bunkers camping numbers have increased this fall.
“It’s been really good,” Soltvedt said. “It’s been very solid. We’ve seen a little bit warmer than average September so it’s been nice to be able to get out and still having some of those cooler nights. We’ve had a really good turnout. It’s been nice to have the campground full on the weekends.”
The campers come from the North Metro and all points beyond.
“Being so close to the Twin Cities it’s easy for people to just hop over and get in a couple of nights and still feel like they got away,” Soltvedt said. “But we do still get a lot of people from all over the United States and Canada as well.”
“We really enjoy it,” Jansen said. “It’s kind of a home away from home.”
Bunker Hills campground will open again in late April or early May of 2025.
