20 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campers' Paradise and Sunset Pines Campground house premium glamping accommodations in the northern Minnesota wilderness, accessible within a short drive from Akeley. These boutique camping destinations feature canvas tent options with comfortable beds, electricity, and lake views, providing upscale alternatives to traditional camping. One guest shared, "The lakefront sites have their own sandy walk in to the water. The sites are separated by trees/brush so you feel that they are really private." Campers' Paradise stands out with its unique island location accessed by a causeway, while Sunset Pines offers glamping options with modern amenities including clean bathroom facilities and hot showers. Both locations provide an ideal blend of outdoor immersion with the comforts of resort-style accommodations.
Lake Bemidji State Park and Itasca State Park complement the area's private resort glamping with their own distinctive canvas accommodations for those seeking more nature-integrated experiences. Visitors can enjoy swimming beaches, water sports, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing directly from their glamping sites. According to a camper at Deer Park Lake in Itasca, "Woke up to trumpeter swans each day. Loved it. There is a little trail that brings you down to the lake to view the bird life." Seasonal considerations vary by location, with most glamping accommodations available from May through October when northern Minnesota weather is most favorable. Hiking trails connect many glamping sites to key attractions like the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, while on-site amenities often include fire rings, picnic areas, and access to clean bathrooms, enhancing the upscale outdoor experience.
"This place has beautiful scenery whether you are in an inside lot or on the lake. Staff was very kind and accommodating and shower/bathhouse were well maintained and setup very nice."
"First off, every member of the staff we worked with from reservations to the store were wonderful. They were helpful, courteous and polite but you could tell that they were no nonsense."
"Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer."
"Itasca State Park offers campgrounds that will give the full outdoor wilderness experience, away from the sounds of cities and cars. It's a wonderful place for hiking,biking, and water activities."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Bathrooms are clean and there’s a laundry room."
"Many amenities, very friendly and helpful staff. My absolute favorite!!!"
"Kids loved the heated pool and tether ball! We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away. Great sites, great time!"
"Clean and detailed bathroom and showers. Laundry available. 30, 50 amp hookups. Back in trailer sites. Nice cabins, very reasonable rates. Everything REALLY CLEAN. beautiful swimming pool."
from $52 / night
Check Availability"Large and mostly shaded sites with several being right on the lake."
"got here on a saturday and was too late to go home, there was one spot left, it gets really quiet around 10 pm. did a little shore fishing, they have some nice bluegill here."
"They have little screened in porches and then a small interior that has bunk style beds. There is heat, a small table and room to hang your things on a hook."
"Got heater, electric , ac, fans, light, water pump nearby, outback toilet near too, ranger is friendly and helpful, have picnic table, fire pit , bugs not too badly. I'll come back to that cabin"
from $24 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Right on the lake so kids spent a lot of time in the lake and on the lake fishing. Shower house has bathroom and washer & dryer."
"a different lakes every night."
"The trail is a beginner level trail. A couple uphills, but nothing too bad. The campsite is basic. A log to sit on, a fire ring, and spots for 2 or 3 tents. The campsite overlooks a lake."
from $19 / night
Check Availability"This is yet another canoe campsite and canoe launch on the state—designated Crow Wing River Water Trail https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/crowwingriver/index.html This is a good paddle-in stop or"
"It was located right on the river. This was a great campsite for the 7 of us! Planning on going back a few times this summer!"
"Large sites will fit RVs and tents, picnic tables and fire pits with cooking grates, clean restrooms with running water, flush toilets and showers! Lake right there for recreating, bike trail."
"The perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Beautiful campground. Peaceful in every way."
from $14 / night
Check Availability
GuideLarge sites will fit RVs and tents, picnic tables and fire pits with cooking grates, clean restrooms with running water, flush toilets and showers! Lake right there for recreating, bike trail. Campground Host on site. Firewood and ice for sale nearby.
LegendWe stayed here in the winter...in a camper cabin. They have little screened in porches and then a small interior that has bunk style beds. There is heat, a small table and room to hang your things on a hook. Bring your own sheets and blankets or sleeping bags though. There are mattresses, but no linens. Outside, there is an outhouse style bathroom.
LegendCAMPGROUND REVIEW
Itasca State Park is a primo destination in northern Minnesota for folks interested in exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are several campgrounds, group camps, cabins and lodge accomodations in the park that suit most visitors. But for folks who want a wilderness experience while at the headwaters, there are miles of wilderness trails in the backcountry area on the southern end of the park—and there are campsites and Adirondack shelters scattered throughout the myriad glacial lakes of this backcountry, enough so that you could backpack by foot or on snowshoes or cross country skis for a week through the territory, staying at a different lakes every night. April in Minnesota means we are still winter camping—but despite the snow, the sun is bright and warm, and it is great to get out into it. The park is at its peak of solitude in the winter, but if you can find a way to get to a campsite, they are open and reservable. This review is for Remote Campsite 11, located on an isthmus between Coffee Break Lake and Deer Park Lake. It is a several mile hike in from the nearest parking areas, either via Mary Kake and the Ozawindib Trail, or via the Deer Park Trail from Douglas Lodge. The trail is rolling and maintained for cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowhikers in the winter. This campsite is located just past the Ozawindib Adirondack Shelter, which is a good backup if its too windy or cold at the campsite. The campsite itself is down a hill by the lakeshore, between two lakes actually, on a rise that overlooks both. There is an additional campsite nearby on the south end of Deer Park Lake, campsite 10. There is a tent pad sheltered under the tall pines (and currently under the snow!) as well as a fire ring and an outhouse. There is no water provided, but a large bucket is available, so you can get lake water and filter it, or melt snow or bring your own. This is a great location for folks who like winter camping as the trek in is only a few miles, I was able to do it easily carrying a backpack of gear on my back, and a front pack with my dog when she got tired if trudging through the snow. And of course it is an easy hike in during the milder snow-free seasons. The site is scenic, pristine, and largely sheltered from the wind. The vista north over Coffee Break Lake would be awesome for viewing northern lights, this is a dark sky part of the park. It can get a little muddy in the transition season, including around the campfire area, so we hung out at the Adirondack shelter nearby and did our cooking there.
To see a map and reserve a back country campsite at Itasca, check this link:
https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/Facilities/AdvanceSearch.aspx
For more info on Remote Camping in Minnesota State Parks, see this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html
For general info on Itasca State Park, go to the homepage: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage
PRODUCT REVIEW
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I ocasionally get camping products to test out. Today I am testing Mountain House Southwest Breakfast Hash https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/spicy-southwest-breakfast-hash.html
Mountain House makes lightwieght, freeze-dried trail meals that are "cooked" in their own pouches using only boiling water. The sealed pouches are durable and lightwieght to carry, and the no-fuss no-muss prep of adding boiling water and letting it stand for 4 minutes in the re-sealable pouch is really easy. Since I was carrying my gear on my back, and carrying my tired little dog in a front pack carrier, I certainly didnt want to have extra weight! But these meal pouches are so light you hardly know you are carrying them. This pouch of SW breakfast hash had more than enough for two people plus some leftover for the dog, we served it up on tortillas that we had also packed, but you could eat it straight up. The hash featured beans, corn, potatoes, veggies and shredded beef for a well rounded complete meal as is, but you could extend the servings by scrambling it with eggs to dish up for a larger group. The taste and texture were surprisingly good, tasty without being too spicy, and I would defintiely buy this again. See our video review at https://youtu.be/nB9lBmjUsqU
LegendItasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer. The park is very quiet and lightly used in winter, but wow, its the best time of year! The paths to famous spots like the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the visitor centers are plowed and maintained, and there are myriad groomed trails from cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A lot of people go ice fishing too. There is not a big demand for camping so mist if the campsites are closed, but Pine Ridge does maintain a selection of campsites with hookups for those who do want to venture forth. The campground bath houses are closed for the winter and water is shut off, but you can car camp and rv with hookups if you want, or tent camp if you know how to do so comfortably in winter and dint mind using outhouses in the campground. There is running water and regular bathrooms at the main visitor’s center so that is an option, but several miles drive from the winter campsites. So, bottom line, come prepared with all your own supplies, and make sure you know how to stay warm if car or tent camping. A winter visit to the park is well worth it!
TravelerI stay at Cabin, it's is nice. Got heater, electric , ac, fans, light, water pump nearby, outback toilet near too, ranger is friendly and helpful, have picnic table, fire pit , bugs not too badly. I'll come back to that cabin
GuideItasca State Park offers campgrounds that will give the full outdoor wilderness experience, away from the sounds of cities and cars. It's a wonderful place for hiking,biking, and water activities. Equipment you need for such activities can be rented within the park (canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, bikes). We've been to Itasca State Park multiple times, and it is wonderful for camping from late spring through early fall.
There seems to be an endless amount of hiking trails to choose from, which bring you to into the woods and to various lakes and ponds.
Camp sites are affordable (as low as $15), and you have options from modern sites (e.g., with electrical outlets and shower access) to remote hike-in sites. Standard sites come with fire pits and picnic tables.
Lake Itasca is the headwaters of the entire Mississippi River. Here the river is shallow and narrow enough that you can simply wade across it.
ScoutWe love this park and have been coming here since kids in the 80s. The campground is usually full - and most of the electric sites are pretty close together. If you want privacy, this isn’t that. But if you’re ok with people mostly keeping to themselves at their own fire pits and lots of kids riding bikes, this is the place. The park has several different biomes - oak forests, lakeshore, bog, pine forests with lovely hike-walks that can be as long or short as you need.
Bathroom building is super clean. Shower rooms are singles and are separate from the toilet area.
Active park-volunteer group.
GuideWe camped at Site 171 in the Pine Ridge Maple Loop. While the site was decent in size, it was right along the main road, so there was quite a bit of car and foot traffic—we didn’t feel as secluded as we’d hoped. Site 167 seemed to be the most private in the Maple Loop, though it looked like it might be a little close to the trash area and pit toilet.
Overall, Maple Loop seemed to cater more to RVs, so it wasn’t our favorite for a tent camping experience. The bathroom was about 500 feet from our site and felt like the perfect walking distance—not too far, not too close.
What really stood out at Itasca was everything there was to do: canoe rentals (dog-friendly!), bike and boat rentals, and plenty of other activities to fill your day.
If we return, we’d aim to book Bear Paw #61 or try one of the nearby walk-in sites for more privacy. Poplar Ridge would be our next choice, followed by Maple Loop #167. If going with a group, the Bear Paw sites in the 30s and 60s are great options since some looked to be more connected to make group camping easier.
TravelerWe spent 5 days there and it was not enough!! This place has beautiful scenery whether you are in an inside lot or on the lake. Staff was very kind and accommodating and shower/bathhouse were well maintained and setup very nice. I highly recommend this place and have already booked for next year and many more to come!!
Glamping and camping options near Akeley, Minnesota provide outdoor experiences across the glacial lakes region of northern Minnesota. The area sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation with an average summer temperature around 75°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most sites open seasonally from May through September when temperatures are mild and precipitation averages 3-4 inches monthly.
Biking trails: The Paul Bunyan Trail passes near Lake Bemidji State Park for cycling enthusiasts. "Lots of trails for cycling, walking and hiking!" notes one Lake Bemidji State Park Campground visitor. The trail extends through multiple parks in the region.
Water trampolines: Seasonal rentals available at Campers' Paradise from late May through September. "Nice beach with water trampolines. Sites are big," reports a recent Campers' Paradise visitor. Water equipment typically costs $10-15 per hour.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best bird watching opportunities at backcountry sites. "I stayed for 2 nights. It was beautiful and serene... I was able to get internet so I was able to see a big storm coming," shares one visitor to Deer Park Lake backcountry sites, noting the solitude perfect for nature observation.
Island camping: Unique causeway access creates separation from mainland sites. "There is a causeway that leads from mainland to the island and it's such a fun and unique way to get to camp," reports one camper from Campers' Paradise. Sites require advance reservations during peak season.
Privacy between sites: Natural vegetation creates separation between camping areas. "Our fam lives in Clearbrook and we always take a day trip to Itasca when we are up visiting. Great lake tour," notes a visitor to Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park, highlighting the accessibility for day visitors.
Reduced insects: Certain locations report fewer mosquitoes during peak season. "The two things that stick out in my mind are the lack of bugs and how reasonably priced firewood was," states a Campers' Paradise review, noting this unique advantage compared to other area campgrounds.
Weather preparedness: Northern Minnesota storms develop quickly during summer months. "The birds and insects were suddenly silent and the clouds came in fast. I was able to check weather apps and go to the shelter a mile toward the parking lot and wait out the storm," reports a camper from Deer Park Lake Backcountry Campsite.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. Most state park areas maintain reliable connections while backcountry sites experience spotty service depending on carrier.
Water filtration needs: Lake access points may require treatment. "Water is weedy, but is filterable for boiling water," notes a Deer Park Lake camper, suggesting bringing filtration equipment for backcountry camping.
Pool options: Several campgrounds maintain heated swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. "Kids loved the heated pool and tether ball! We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away," shares a visitor to Pine Mountain Campground.
Playground proximity: Some campgrounds feature playground equipment near family campsites. "Peaceful and serene, at the end of the road. Family camping RV sites have playground right there," notes a Tuck-a-way Resort visitor describing the convenient setup.
Bike-friendly environments: Look for campgrounds with designated biking areas for children. "It's safe for kids to ride their bikes. Very well managed and friendly," mentions a Vagabond Village visitor, highlighting the importance of secure recreation areas for younger campers.
Size restrictions: Some glamping sites near Akeley limit RV length due to narrow access roads. "They were very clear from the get go that campers over a certain size weren't allowed and while ours isn't huge, maybe 30 foot hitch to bumper, I could see why they were so up front," explains a Campers' Paradise visitor regarding navigation challenges.
Hookup variations: Electric service ranges from 30 to 50 amp depending on campground. "Clean and detailed bathroom and showers. Laundry available. 30, 50 amp hookups," reports a recent visitor to Sunset Pines Campground, describing the electrical options available.
Water fill stations: Several campgrounds require filling tanks before parking. "On an island private sites some electric. No water hook up fill before parking," advises an experienced RVer at Campers' Paradise regarding the water access procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Akeley, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Akeley, MN is Campers' Paradise with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Akeley, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 glamping camping locations near Akeley, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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