Accessible primarily by canoe, the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota is one of America's most beautiful and remote adventures. Spanning 150 miles along the U.S.-Canada border, the Boundary Waters is home to over 1,100 lakes, 1,200 miles of canoe routes and 2,000 designated campsites within its vast wilderness. Although other campers are few and far between throughout the Boundary Waters, for maximum social distancing, pitch your tent at a site off the main canoe routes. As one of the most remote areas in Minnesota, first-timers are highly encouraged to consult beginner-friendly write-ups and visit local trip outfitters for supplies, route advice and campsite tips.

As one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks and birthplace of the Mississippi River, Itasca may not immediately spring to your mind for a remote camping experience. But with more than 32,000 acres of land, over 100 lakes and 49 miles of hiking trails, there are plenty of places to escape the crowds in Minnesota’s oldest state park—including 11 rustic hike-in sites located between 1 and 5 miles from the trailhead. Many of the backpacking sites are clustered together, so for anyone seeking true isolation, follow the rolling Deer Park Trail through the park's dense hardwood forest to camp under the stars at the solo site on McKay Lake.

As one of the prettiest places to go hiking in Minnesota, it’s no surprise Maplewood State Park is also an ideal spot for a hike-in camping trip. This hilly central Minnesota park is home to over 25 miles of magnificent hiking trails, many of which offer incredible hilltop views of the region’s forest-meets-prairie landscape. All three of the park’s hike-in campgrounds can provide truly secluded sleeping arrangements, but for maximum solitude, reserve the site on Beers Lake, accessible via a scenic 2.5-mile hike on the North Country Trail or half-mile paddle.