There are so many gorgeous places to spend the night outdoors scattered throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes, how can one possibly choose? Camping in Minnesota is second to none, and a fantastic way to enjoy the season – whether for a lakefront stay in summer or a fall color-peeping adventure. To really up your summer planning game, we’ve done the hard work for you. Are you ready for an epic outdoor adventure? Here are some of the best campgrounds in Minnesota:

1. Big Bog State Recreation Area
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Big Bog State Recreation Area Southern Unit, Minnesota 72, Waskish, MN, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Big Bog State Recreation Area is located just north of Waskish. There are 31 scenic drive-in sites and 26 electric sites all near the gorgeous Tamarac River, plus five amazing camper cabins.
2. Big Stone Lake State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Big Stone Lake State Park, 35889 Meadowbrook State Park Road, Ortonville, MN 56278, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Big Stone Lake State Park is a stunning park at the headwaters of the Minnesota River. It features 37 drive-in sites, 10 electric, and one amazing group site.
3. Buffalo River State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Buffalo River State Park, 565 155th St S, Glyndon, MN 56547, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Just outside of Moorhead, this stunning prairie park has 44 drive-in sites, 35 electric, and one group camp. You can also find a beautiful swimming area near the campground at Buffalo River.
4. Cascade River State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Cascade River State Park, West, 3481 Minnesota 61, Lutsen, MN 55612, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
This wonderful North Shore park has amazing rustic backpack sites in addition to the 40 drive-in sites. Bonus: Cascade River is also one of the most beautiful parks in the state!
5. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, 3rd Street, Ironton, MN, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is a former mining area that boasts 30 sites on Portsmouth Mine Lake. You can also stay in one of the three yurts along Yawkey Mine Lake.
6. Flandrau State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Flandrau State Park, 1300 Summit Ave, New Ulm, MN 56073, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
This southern MN park on the Big Cottonwood River has a whopping 94 sites in three separate campgrounds, 34 electric sites, two camper cabins, and a group center with bunkhouses that can accommodate up to 105 people. You'll also find plenty of rolling green spaces to play at Flandrau State Park!
7. Zippel Bay State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Zippel Bay State Park, 3684 54th Ave NW, Williams, MN 56686, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
On scenic Lake of the Woods (one of the world's largest), you will love camping near the sandy beaches of Zippel Bay in one of their 57 drive-in sites and the 3,000-acre park offers plenty of recreational opportunities for the adventurous.
8. Glacial Lakes State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Zippel Bay State Park, 3684 54th Ave NW, Williams, MN 56686, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
On stunning glacial hills, Glacial Lakes State Park near Signalness Lake has 37 drive-in sites, five remote backpack sites, eight horse campsites, and six camper cabins, along with a beautiful group camp on the lake.
9. Hayes Lake State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Hayes Lake State Park, 48990 Co Rd 4, Roseau, MN 56751, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Hayes Lake offers 35 drive-in sites, 18 electric, backpack sites, a group site, and two adorable camper cabins plus a plethora of recreational opportunities for both water and land lovers alike.
10. La Salle Lake State Recreation Area
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
La Salle Lake State Recreation Area, 10899 Co Hwy 9, Solway, MN 55678, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The newest state recreation area on MN's deepest inland lake, La Salle Lake State Park has 39 electric sites and two amazing cabins.
11. Lake Bronson State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Lake Bronson State Park, County Rd 28, Lake Bronson, MN 56734, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
With over 150 sites in a variety of settings, Lake Bronson has lodging for everyone, including a group site that can accommodate 200.
12. Lake Shetek State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Lake Shetek State Park, 163 State Park Rd, Currie, MN 56123, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
On southwestern Minnesota's largest lake, you'll find a variety of drive-in sites, cart-in sites, and camper cabins at Lake Shetek State Park.
13. McCarthy Beach State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
McCarthy Beach State Park, 7622 McCarthy Beach Rd, Side Lake, MN 55781, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
This trail of stunning lakes is accompanied by some equally amazing campsites. There are 86 drive-in sites, and a wonderful group site at McCarthy Beach State Park.
14. Rice Lake State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Rice Lake State Park, 8485 Rose St, Owatonna, MN 55060, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
These beautiful wetland adjacent campsites are truly one-of-a-kind. Rice Lake has 40 drive-in sites, 18 of which are electric, plus lakeside cart-in and canoe sites.
15. St. Croix State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
St. Croix State Park, 30065 St Croix Park Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
On one of MN's favorite rivers, you will love St. Croix State Park's 211 drive-in sites, eight group sites, and two group centers. Not to mention the eight cabins.
16. Split Rock Creek State Park
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Split Rock Creek State Park, 336 50th Ave, Jasper, MN 56144, USA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
This Pipestone County park on Split Rock Lake has 34 drive-in sites, 21 electric, and a wonderful group site than can accommodate up to 75 people.

These unique campgrounds in MN are tough to beat! We’re fortunate to have so many scenic options when it comes to camping here.

What is your favorite camping memory? Be sure to share it with us on the Only In Minnesota Facebook page.

For even more opportunities to get outdoors but without the beach crowds, glamping in Minnesota is the way to go. These yurt rentals around the state are as cute as can be!

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Camping in Minnesota & Related Info

Jennifer | April 18, 2023

What are the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota?

There are at least 10,000 gorgeous lakes in Minnesota to choose from and all of them are worth a day trip or summer dip. Some of the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota include:

  • Lake Brophy, Douglas County
  • Lake Kabetogama, St. Louis County
  • Lake Nokomis, Hennepin County
  • Lake Pepin, Goodhue / Wabasha Counties
  • Lake Superior
  • Lake Vermilion, Saint Louis County
  • Lake Winona, Winona County
  • Lax Lake, Lake County
  • Long Lake, Hennepin County
  • Upper Bottle, Hubbard County
  • West Rush Lake, Chisago County

 

Does Minnesota have any islands?

Due to the impressive number of lakes in Minnesota, the state is also home to a surprising number of islands as well ... somewhere between 600 and 14,000, depending on who you ask, and how they determine what size of land mass counts as an island. Many of these are located in Lake Superior and the North Woods region. While many of the state's islands are privately owned, there are still a few islands in Minnesota that are open to the public and offer gorgeous waterfront views:

 

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