When making a reservation to camp in Minnesota state parks, you can pick a specific site. But if you've never been to a particular park, it can be tough to figure out what your best choice might be. Start by finding your park, open up the link to the campground map, and then consider:

1. If you're tent camping, there's no sense in paying the extra fee for a site that has electricity, a convenience provided for motor homes that need power hookups. Most campgrounds offer both nonelectric and electric loops, so look for the former. (Campsites with electricity will be marked with an "e.")

2. Sites on the outside of loops usually offer more privacy. Especially in campgrounds that are not heavily wooded, tent pads on inside loops are sometimes barely separated from each other — which means you could end up sleeping only a few feet from your neighbor's abode.

3. Decide if you want to be near toilets and shower facilities. It's more convenient to be close, but sites further away from such amenities will have less traffic and noise — if you're a light sleeper, outhouse doors slamming at 6 a.m. may not be your cup of tea.

(This is part of the Big List here)

JEFF MORAVEC