Pine Ridge Campground sits at the geographic heart of Itasca State Park, roughly 20 miles west of Laporte in northern Minnesota, organized into several named loops spread across open, lightly forested terrain. The campground is one of the larger facilities within the park, and its layout means site quality varies considerably depending on which loop you land in. Campers who have stayed across multiple loops consistently point to Pine Loop and Poplar Loop as the best options for privacy, while Maple Loop tends to draw more RV traffic and sits closer to the main road, where car and foot traffic can be noticeable throughout the day.
The sites themselves are spacious enough to accommodate large tents and group setups. Site 211 gets frequent mention as the largest in the campground. Two bathroom buildings provide flush toilets and showers, both within a five-minute walk from most sites, and multiple vault toilets are distributed across the loops. Cell coverage is inconsistent. As Crystal R. notes, "a good portion of the campground doesn't have service," and coverage tends to shift between carriers, so campers should plan accordingly. Bears have been reported near campsites regularly, making a clean camp a practical necessity rather than just a suggestion.
The draw here extends well beyond the campground itself. Lake Itasca is the documented headwaters of the Mississippi River, where the water runs shallow enough to wade across on foot. Canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and bikes are all available for rent within the park. Fishing on Lake Itasca, guided boat tours, a fire tower, and a paved wilderness drive round out the activity options. In summer, the park also hosts ranger-led programs. Flies can be significant in warmer months, and at least one reviewer found them disruptive enough to retreat indoors.
Reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends, as the campground draws crowds. Walk-in arrivals without a reservation will find their site choices limited, particularly during peak season. Winter camping is possible on a smaller selection of hookup sites, though the bathhouses close and water is shut off, so self-sufficiency is essential. For campgrounds near Itasca State Park, including Itasca State Park Bear Paw Campground and Itasca State Park Campground, the park's reservation system fills up quickly, so booking several weeks out is advisable for any summer visit.
Description
Open May 6 - November 14, 2023. Select campsites open year-round
Arrive prepared. Go to mndnr.gov/itasca for important visitor alerts and season updates.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPine Ridge Campground is located in Minnesota near Laporte
Address
36750 Main Park Drive
Park Rapids, MN 56470
Coordinates
47.23331381 N
95.19058522 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/9/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 7/14/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/14/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/9/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 7/14/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/14/26
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 45 min from Fargo, ND
- 1 hr 57 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 2 hrs 32 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 3 hrs 3 min from Duluth, MN
