2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN

Our family camped at Interstate State Park this last MEA weekend.  Located just north of the Twin Cities, Interstate State Park is just two miles west of Taylors Falls, MN.  On the banks of the St. Croix River, the area is known for its immense beauty and geological features such as glacial potholes.

Dismissing the cold nights, the weather was absolutely perfect.  Frosts earlier in the season had killed off the insects, food and beverages were plentiful, and we were able to explore the area.  While camping with seven kids can be trying, I think it is still a consensus that we all had a good time.  Things we enjoyed?  Relaxation, hiking, geocaching, kayaking Chisago Lake and enjoying the campfire.  The thing we liked the least about Interstate State Park is its proximity to MN State Highway 95.  The noise from the traffic, particularly trucks jake braking down the hill, is not what I look for in camping.  While the beauty of the river is enticing, the traffic alone is the reason why I will never again camp at Interstate.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Entrance to Interstate State Park Entrance to Interstate State Park	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Our home for the weekend, campsite #12e Our home for the weekend, campsite #12e	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN A view of the river from our campsite A view of the river from our campsite
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN The St. Croix River The St. Croix River	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Walking the St. Croix River Walking the St. Croix River	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Bart and Anna messing around in the river Bart and Anna messing around in the river
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Woke up Saturday morning to a foggy river Woke up Saturday morning to a foggy river	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN An eerie river scene An eerie river scene	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Another eerie river scene Another eerie river scene
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Molly climbing around the potholes Molly climbing around the potholes	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura posing like a ham Laura posing like a ham	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna swallowed by a pothole Anna swallowed by a pothole
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura posing again, I should be worried Laura posing again, I should be worried	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN While she'd never admit it, Molly having a good time While she'd never admit it, Molly having a good time	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna climbing boulders in Glacial Gardens Park Anna climbing boulders in Glacial Gardens Park
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura attempting to climb the cliff Laura attempting to climb the cliff	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna with a river backdrop Anna with a river backdrop	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura and Matt Bowers Laura and Matt Bowers
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura and the four Bowers boys Laura and the four Bowers boys	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Nene taking a break from climbing through potholes Nene taking a break from climbing through potholes	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN The Hiking Club password for Interstate State Park The Hiking Club password for Interstate State Park