Area Description
Like to camp? Like trains? The latter is likely true since you are reading this. Most of us have pondered: "Where can these be combined?"
At Camden State Park in southwest Minnesota.
The park straddles a BNSF's moderately busy Marshall Subdivision. Even getting to the park from the east either brings along the Twin Cities & Western's line or Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern's line. You can't loose!
The tracks slice down the middle of the park, separating - east and west - the enterance and walking train from the picnic and camping areas. Also, a man-made canoeing pond is flanked on the westside with the rails.
A wooden bridge crosses above the tracks lending north and south views of the tracks. Once in the park, by the swimming area, the right-of-way is several feet above. There are many paths which lead up to the tracks.
Don't figure on getting too much sleep. At night the soft rumblings of locomotives can be heard getting closer for nearly five minutes. A deep grove of trees are no match for the various noises from the train as it passes in the dark. Photography Tips The bridge: As pointed out above, a section of straight trackage reaches north and south from this point. An embankment from a road on the westside provides another vantage point.
The curve: Marching up the trail by the picnic area allows you to look southward to the bridge. The curve bends northeast.
Photography is generally limited to the mid-day to evening since a hill with mature trees create a wall on the east.
At Camden State Park in southwest Minnesota.
The park straddles a BNSF's moderately busy Marshall Subdivision. Even getting to the park from the east either brings along the Twin Cities & Western's line or Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern's line. You can't loose!
The tracks slice down the middle of the park, separating - east and west - the enterance and walking train from the picnic and camping areas. Also, a man-made canoeing pond is flanked on the westside with the rails.
A wooden bridge crosses above the tracks lending north and south views of the tracks. Once in the park, by the swimming area, the right-of-way is several feet above. There are many paths which lead up to the tracks.
Don't figure on getting too much sleep. At night the soft rumblings of locomotives can be heard getting closer for nearly five minutes. A deep grove of trees are no match for the various noises from the train as it passes in the dark. Photography Tips The bridge: As pointed out above, a section of straight trackage reaches north and south from this point. An embankment from a road on the westside provides another vantage point.
The curve: Marching up the trail by the picnic area allows you to look southward to the bridge. The curve bends northeast.
Photography is generally limited to the mid-day to evening since a hill with mature trees create a wall on the east.
Area Photos
Directions
From the East
From the Twin Cities: Take Highway 212 west from the metro to Granite Falls. This follows the TC&W. In Granite Falls, take Highway 23 south towards Marshall. This follows the BNSF tracks all the way to the park entrance.
From southern Minnesota: Highway 14 cuts across the lower third of the state, pick this up in Mankato and head west. Again, this will follow the DM&E line. Pass through Tracy, MN (visit a tourist stop with a steam locomotive and rolling stock) to Florence, MN. Here you will pick up MN 23 north upto Camden Park entrance.
From southern Minnesota: Highway 14 cuts across the lower third of the state, pick this up in Mankato and head west. Again, this will follow the DM&E line. Pass through Tracy, MN (visit a tourist stop with a steam locomotive and rolling stock) to Florence, MN. Here you will pick up MN 23 north upto Camden Park entrance.
This entry was last read May 13, 2008
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