With 34,000 campsites in almost 800 campgrounds, most of them lakeside, Minnesota is almost custom-made for camping and touring by RV. In fact, this July St. Paul will be hosting the Family Motor Coach Association's convention. This gathering will draw about 5,000 motor homes and 10,000-15,000 participants to the State Fairgrounds.

When these folks and other motor home travelers head out to explore Minnesota, they'll find a wide selection of campgrounds to set up home in. Minnesota campgrounds are typically along a lake or river, and are usually in the forest or a shady grove.

About half the campgrounds are at Minnesota resorts; these are often small campgrounds with fewer than a dozen sites. Another 280 or so are stand-alone campgrounds or RV parks operated by private owners or by towns or counties, and these tend to have more sites. Sixty of Minnesota's scenic State Parks have campgrounds; most include sites with electric hook-ups. There are numerous other more rustic campgrounds in state and national forests.

The Minnesota Travel Guide includes a comprehensive directory of places to stay, including RV parks and campgrounds; call 888-868-7476 to order this publication. These listings are also available online at exploreminnesota.com.