
On The Road
Borrowing the name from Jack Kerouac’s classic beat generation tale of travels across the country, intermittently we’ll post accounts about our life on the road. Whether you’re traveling by motorhome, fifth wheel, trailer, camper, van, or SUV, there is so much out there to explore, and we want to bring you the very best to consider for your next adventure. Read on for our most recent excursion to the great northern state of Minnesota and find out why camping along the Mississippi is always a highlight.
Lake Itasca, Minnesota
The mighty Mississippi River starts as a small stream flowing from a northern Minnesota lake called Lake Itasca. From there, it gains speed and volume, flowing through ten states until it reaches the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, Louisiana.
Adventurous campers will delight in a trek to the northern boundary of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The second longer river in the United States according to the National Park Service, the Mississippi covers 2,350 miles of land. At its northernmost point, the Mississippi River is only 20 to 30 feet wide, and according to NPS, this is the narrowest part of the river for its entire length.
Campers will delight in visiting Lake Itasca State Park, which offers 223 Drive-in Sites in two campgrounds, electric sites, and wheelchair accessible sites. RV campers up to 60 feet in length are allowed. Lodging and group camping sites are allowed and can be reserved via the website.

Minneapolis & Saint Paul
The Mississippi River covers over 650 miles of land in Northern Minnesota. Drive the 3.5 hours southeast to the bustling metropolis of the Twin Cities: Minneapolis and Saint Paul. On the western banks of the Mississippi sits Minneapolis and its suburbs, with Saint Paul situated to the east. Explore the many museums, cultural institutions, eclectic neighborhoods, and catch some sports action at one of the several professional sports teams in town. From the Minnesota Wild, to the Timberwolves, to the Twins, to the Vikings, to the Lynx, to the Frost, there is something for every sports enthusiast to try.
For a lovely afternoon spent strolling through a historic neighborhood, check out the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood of Saint Paul bordered by the Mississippi River to the west and Summit Avenue to the east. Families will enjoy checking out the Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Avenue, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year! The beloved bookstore was also a finalist for Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year award! For North Star State souvenirs, check out GoodThings a little further down Grand. The store branded salted caramels are out-of-this-world, and if you have any folks on your holiday list that enjoy a good laugh, you’ll find plenty of beautifully displayed kitschy gifts.
Prince fans will enjoy paying homage to Minneapolis’s First Avenue, the launching pad of the late signer. Don’t forget to grab your November Rain merchandise before you go! Last but not least, get more of the great outdoors at the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area on the Saint Paul side. A 72-mile-long park offering hiking, biking, birding, and sightseeing, there is something to do for everyone.

Getting There
Getting to Lake Itasca and Itasca State Park is possible via state route MS-200. From Itasca State Park to Saint Paul, take MN-64 to US-10. Saint Paul and Minneapolis are connected via Interstate 94, as well as by alternate routes.
Where To Stay
Being a very outdoor friendly state, Minnesota is home to great RV camping at numerous locations throughout the Gopher State. For camping along the Mississippi, the Itasca State Park has camping available as listed on its website here. Camping near the Twin Cities is plentiful. Popular campgrounds include Wildwood RV Park & Campground in Shafer and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park in Washington County.
Before You Go
Before you go, make sure you’re prepared with all the RV care, RV maintenance, and RV restoration accessories you’ll need. RVbyLIFE’s Life-Calk® polysulfide RV sealant and Life Seal® silicone/polyurethane RV sealant are two staples to have on hand for any quick on the road repair. The Stick scraping tool also comes in handy and works well with our Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover. Of course, no trip would be complete without a bottle of all-purpose sanitizer. Our Sanitizer for Hands and Surfaces is made with only Benzalkonium Chloride and ionized water, so it won’t leave an odor or irritate the skin on application. It also continues working on surfaces once dry unlike alcohol-based sanitizer. For all other RV repair and maintenance needs, visit our website for our full product catalog.
Make sure to check out our other travel tales to find your next RV travel destination. Happy RV travels!