Hayes Lake Campground

The Great Outdoors

Scraped nearly flat by a mile-high glacier during the last ice age, rivers coursing through the floodplain gouged it out. Today, Hayes Lake State Park is a steep, u-shaped valley. Heavily treed, hiking through the woods is almost fairy-tale like. Tall trees form a dense canopy overhead, and the ground underfoot is soft and comfortable, ideal for exploring the woods.Many wild animals make their home in these woods. Though they’re not often sighted during the summer months, timberwolves (also known as gray wolves) are known to travel through this region. Other wild animals like black bears, moose, bobcats, lynxes, and otters are more frequently spotted during the warm months.Hayes Lake, which was dammed in the 60s, holds a healthy population of largemouth bass, northern pike, sunfish, and crappie. Fishermen should keep an eye out for hungry otters and eagles, which have been known to steal catches. There are a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier and a small boat launch for recreational boaters to use. Only non-powered or electric boats are permitted in this state park.Hikers and outdoor adventurers have access to over 13 miles of trails, and a couple of these trails connect to nearby Beltrami Island State Park. Beltrami Island State Park has an additional 20 miles of trails. While trekking the long trails, search for orchids, gentians, and blueberries. Freshly picked blueberries make for a great snack in the wild woods.Although winter in northern Minnesota tends to be harsh, hardy adventurers don’t let a little cold and snow stop them from getting outdoors. As soon as the lake ices over, makeshift lean-to sheds appear on the surface, providing shelters to fishermen as they cast their lures into their ice holes. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are also popular activities. Roseau has a couple of snowmobile rental services for out-of-town visitors.

Exploring the Area

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that there isn’t much to do in this remote corner of Minnesota state. With a little creativity and willingness to travel, finding local curiosities and attractions is made a snap with the help of a rental motorhome. Named for the aurora borealis, which can be seen in this region, the Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway is a breathtaking 191-mile journey. Along the way, stop in charming towns like Warroad, which claims to be "The Hockey-Town USA." Indeed, it’s home to several hockey-related businesses and attractions, including the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Shed, an automobile museum, is found on the edge of the town. It hosts a large collection of vintage and rare cars. Heads-up: call ahead for the open hours, which can be unpredictable.In springtime, the scenic byway route between Warroad and Roseau is lined by lady slippers growing with reckless abandon. The portion in between Roseau and Karlstad is reputed to be especially good for birdwatching, and moose frequently can be sighted from the road. In between, Roseau and Karlstad are a handful of charming towns, Greenbush, MN, and Badger, MN. Both have farmer’s markets on Saturdays, which is a fun way to find new, up-and-coming local artists and crafters who may have the perfect souvenir to take home to remind you of your RV camping trip.At the end of a long day of exploring and adventuring, build a campfire outside a travel trailer, and look skyward. With a little luck and patience, you might witness a once-in-a-lifetime sight: an aurora borealis.