Akeley sits on the western edge of the Paul Bunyan State Forest, surrounded by over 105,000 acres of mixed hardwood forest terrain. The area features numerous kettle lakes formed by retreating glaciers with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,700 feet above sea level. Most dispersed camping sites in the forest require self-registration, with campsites typically 100-200 feet from parking areas or trailheads.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Breezy Pines Resort provides access to Crooked Lake with its own boat launch for $5 daily docking. "Most of this camp is reserved for seasonal campers but they have 2 extra sites. One Full hook up and one electric site... I mainly came here for fishing and it was great," notes a visitor to Breezy Pines Resort & Campground.
Hiking on established trails: The North Country Trail connects several campgrounds in the area. "This also connects to the Northland Scenic Trail which is super cool! There is a high bluff at the end of Nelson Lake along the NCT that has AMAZING views about a miles hike from the campground," according to a review of Gulch Lake.
Biking on dedicated paths: The trail network around Akeley connects to larger regional systems. "This campground is very nice. The sites are large and level. It is accessible to the Heartland and Paul Bunyan Bike Trails. Walker is a cute little town - only 4 miles away by bike on the trails," mentions a visitor to Trails RV Park.
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Many sites offer direct lake access without crowds. "Sites are big. We stayed right next to the lake! Had easy access for kayaking and had a fun girls weekend! Site 7 was a short hike in from the parking lot and the site was large enough for multiple tents," notes a recent visitor to Gulch Lake.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting allows for animal sightings throughout the day. "It's far enough off the main road that you won't hear road noise. You will, however, see and hear deer, and possibly black bear," reports a camper at Mantrap Lake Campground.
Quiet, secluded atmosphere: Many sites provide separation from other campers. "The campsite was perfect. There is a bench, firepit, latrine and multiple campsites. Very scenic view with the sounds of loons and frogs in the background. I have camped there twice and have never come across another hiker," mentions a visitor to Waboose Lake.
What you should know
Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds limit power equipment usage. "This is a State Forest Campground, and for the price of only $14 a night, you can't go wrong. Although you may get some noise from RVs with generators, we visited in late september, and there were enough sites to choose from that we could be away from that noise," notes a visitor to Mantrap Lake.
Varying site quality: Some locations better suit certain camping styles than others. "There are about 9 sites at this small campground, but it was plenty big, since we were the only ones there. Each site appeared to have a picnic table, fire ring and plenty of space for a tent. It didn't look like there were many good places for hammocks, so this one might be best for tent camping," states a camper at Gulch Lake.
Seasonal maintenance: Facilities can change throughout the year. "Showers and Fishhouse have had issues to the point where they were not reopened this year. Extremely sad to see such a beautiful venue not being taken care of," reports a visitor to Stony Point.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "Great for kids, very nice playground and great pool. Bathroom and showers are very nice and clean. This is mostly a seasonal site campground with 20 or so regular use sites. Camp store very nice and receptionist is very nice," says a visitor to Trails RV Park.
Swimming beaches: Look for campgrounds with designated swim areas. "Perfect place for a quiet and enjoyable family retreat. Many sites have private access to Leech Lake (with a beach - Sites 12, 14, 17, 19) but they have plenty of public trails (short ones) to get swimming fishing and boating access," notes a visitor to Stony Point.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences about the local environment. "Good info kiosks for nature watchers," mentions a Mantrap Lake camper regarding the pet-friendly camping options near Akeley, Minnesota.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: RV lengths may be restricted at certain campgrounds. "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. We fit into our site and were able to get around when we needed to but it was certainly snug at times," reports a visitor to Campers' Paradise.
Utility availability: Water access points may be limited. "On an island private sites some electric. No water hook up fill before parking," advises an RVer at Campers' Paradise regarding the pet-friendly accommodations.
Leveling conditions: Ground conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. "This campground is very nice. The sites are large and level," mentions a visitor to Trails RV Park, highlighting the convenient RV setup.
