Camper submitted image from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 1

Camper submitted image from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 2

Camper submitted image from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 3

Activities

Camper submitted image from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 4

Camping

Camper submitted image from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 5

Roads

Established Camping

Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

11 Reviews

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About

State Park

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Location

Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is located in Minnesota

Directions

Go to mile post marker #221 on US Hwy 169, about 8 miles north of Onamia. Watch for the Kathio Arrowhead sign and take County Road 26 for about a mile, to the park entrance.

Address

15066 Kathio State Park Rd
Onamia, MN 56359

Coordinates

46.1350003 N
93.76100027 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Ashley H.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2023

Beautiful Park

We stayed in one of the walk-in sites. It was great, not too too buggy. Mostly quiet. Hiking trails in the park are wonderful and there's a lot of history to discover within the park

SiteW64

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Kristi P.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2022

Got here just after 4pm. No one to check us in. Only place to fill with water is at the dump station( and it is really slow, got harrased by the Park Ranger about speeding our bicycles to fast through the campground, and lastly went to get firewood( you cant bring your own in and I understand that) there was no wood. And same ranger harrased son in law for chopping the wood he got into smaller pieces. And I have only been here 1 day.

Month of VisitSeptember

sarah

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2021

Don’t camp by bathroom

We had 44E major mistake. There was way too much traffic and apparently it was the kids hang out spot. It would’ve been ok if we had kids under 12 with us but we didn’t. NO hot water off and on. Drive to a gas station was 6 miles. Firewood was always available but a 3 mile drive from campsite. Trees around fire pit needed to be cut back. Impossible to put tent stakes in gravel ground. Beautiful flowers everywhere.

Site44E

Month of VisitAugust

Kate T.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2020

Great spot not too far from the Cities

Stayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52. The spots were pretty private - the surrounding campsites were definitely visible through the trees, but there was plenty of distance so you weren't overhearing everyone's conversations or anything. The site was very roomy! It was a short walk to the bathrooms, water was nearby. The paths to the overlooks on the Rum River were close as well. The inner campsites are RV hookup sites, and the sound definitely carried when someone came later at night to set up their RV. We lucked out with great weather, and bugs were not bad (some mosquitoes but not overwhelming). Campsites have easy access to the trails that connect to the west interpretive center. Some things were closed due to COVID (including the fire tower), but bathrooms were open. No boat rentals right now either, but the river looked like a great, calm spot to kayak.

Daniel R.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2020

Bear Camp

We loved this camp site. Very clean. The only downside depending on your view are the bears. There was a black bear in our camp 15 minutes after we went to sleep. Then the 2nd a little guy was hanging around our site all day. Other than that we loved it!

(5) View All

Liz H.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Beautiful State Park

This is a wonderful state park with parts along the shores of Mille Lacs. The park hosts various seminars throughout the week. There are several places to swim and a big playground for the little ones. Mosquitoes are thick here so come prepared.

Month of VisitJuly

Brian C.

Guide

Reviewed May. 28, 2019

Large sites, beautiful location

Located just south of Mille Lacs in central Minnesota, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is large and welcoming.

In addition to a state park and campground, the park is also on the nation register of historical sites, owing to the large number of archeological digs, revealing human activity in the area that dates back thousands of years.

The sites are large and spaced decently from each other. We could have used a little more privacy between sites, but this can be written off as an effect of being nearly in the season.

With the exception of a large family reunion, the park was quiet and you can easily find yourself alone from the crowds.

Canoes are available for rental, which allow for fishing in the Rum River. There is also an observation platform- the climb can be intimidating, but the views are well worth it!

I wasn’t able to find a spot to find a spot to fish from shore at, but that could just be my failure.

The Interpretive Center gave you a really good glimpse into the wildlife and history of the area, as well as provided an assortment of activities.

The facilities were a little time-worn, but clean, and the water in the showers heater fast.

My family and I had a wonderful time, and will be back!

(9) View All

Katie B.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2018

great park

We have camped here a few times. Kathio is a big park with lots of trails. Camp sites are decent sized and most have trees in between them. some of the sites are bigger and more secluded. All sites except hike-ins have fire pit with grill grate and picnic table. mosquitos are extra brutal mid summer here so be prepared.

Emily G.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2018

Flies and Mosquitos

We were really excited about our luck finding a practically empty state park in July for a Thursday impromptu camping trip. Before we even stopped the car the deer flies were pelting the windows. Hundreds. I wish I was exaggerating. My husband and I tried to ignore it because we really wanted to explore the tower, hiking, and educational experiences. We lasted 20 minutes which gave us both dozens of fly and mosquito bites. Visit in the spring or fall and it would be a beautiful place to explore.

Amy G.

Legend

Reviewed May. 12, 2017

Nice and peaceful

Lots of nearby trails that are very peaceful to walk on. Dogs are welcome here! The campground was quiet and clean. My husband was with me and he and buddies went hunting for game birds. Great hunting!! Would stay here again!