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Facilities
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Established Camping

Gardner Lake Campsite

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Gardner Lake Campsite is located near a lake in Minnesota, offering a setting with water and forested surroundings. The area experiences temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F in the summer and 0°F to 20°F in the winter. Visitors can explore Itasca State Park, home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which is less than an hour away.

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Location

Gardner Lake Campsite is located in Minnesota

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

47.15810000000221 N
95.33876000001283 W

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Connectivity

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    Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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    Verizon
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Gardner Lake Campsite needs a permit.

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General Info


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2020

A perfect spot after a long hike.

It was a 2.5 mile hike of all sorts of terrain. Scenery was perfect. Not much for available tent sites or hammock sites. It could fill up fast.  Has a fire pit and water is super clear. Very quiet and was mosquito free till darkness set in. I would definitely camp here again.

SiteGardner lake
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Gardner Lake Campsite by Brent G., August 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Gardner Lake Campsite by Brent G., August 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Gardner Lake Campsite by Brent G., August 28, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2018

Small and quaint, but does the job - on the NCT in MN

Super easy to find, right off the North Country Trail!

This is a long campsite. I mean, it's off the trail and kind of long and skinny from the trail down to the water. Water seems to be fairly easy access off the site itself. There is a log bench situated right next to the fire ring. Most sites in this area seem to be set up that way. The view was great…how pretty to wake up to the lake! The tent pad seemed fairly level too.

Didn't appear to be a whole lot of room for extra tents, meaning, I don't think this would be a great spot for more than a few campers that were staying in the same tent (or didn't mind getting creative with tent set up), and I don't think the tent pad would accommodate a large tent (read: larger family), but it would be perfect for a solo hiker or a couple. A few trees, but nothing that seemed terribly easy for hammock camping.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Gardner Lake Campsite by Amy G., September 20, 2018
  • Review photo of Gardner Lake Campsite by Amy G., September 20, 2018
  • Review photo of Gardner Lake Campsite by Amy G., September 20, 2018
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost to stay at Unknown Campground?

Gardner Lake Campsite appears to be a free backcountry camping area along the North Country Trail. As a primitive site without developed facilities, there are typically no fees associated with staying here. However, this information should be verified with the appropriate land management agency that oversees this section of the North Country Trail, as backcountry camping regulations and fees can change. Always check current requirements before your trip, as some wilderness areas require free backcountry permits even when no fee is charged.

What amenities are available at Unknown Campground?

Gardner Lake Campsite is a primitive backcountry site with minimal amenities. The site features a fire ring and a log bench situated next to it. There is easy water access from the site down to Gardner Lake, with notably clear water. The campsite is long and narrow, stretching from the North Country Trail down to the water. Beyond these basics, no additional amenities like picnic tables, vault toilets, or potable water are available, so campers should come prepared for a true wilderness experience.

How do I make reservations for Unknown Campground?

Gardner Lake Campsite operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no formal reservation system. Since it's a backcountry site along the North Country Trail, you simply arrive and set up camp if the site is available. The site has limited space and can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. For the most current information about any potential permit requirements or changes to the reservation policy, contact the local forest service or land management office that oversees this section of the North Country Trail.