Camping options near Balsam, Minnesota include expansive lakefront sites along with wooded inland areas throughout Itasca County. Seasonal operation is standard in this north-central Minnesota region, with most campgrounds open from May through October when temperatures average 45-75°F. Winter weather limits camping options with snowfall typically beginning in November and lasting through April.
What to do
Fishing at Trout Lake Campground: Lake access provides opportunities for bass and walleye fishing with boat launch available adjacent to the campground. "The lake is well-known for its fishing in the area. We spent many hours paddling the lake and had great luck catching bass and walleye," notes one visitor to Trout Lake Campground.
Hiking at Savanna Portage: Trails range from easy walks to more challenging routes through forested and wetland terrain. "The hike to see the continental divide was really cool. We saw a fox and a deer which was cool. Then spent the evening canoeing one of the lakes listening to Loons," reports a camper at Savanna Portage State Park Campground.
Golfing opportunities: 27-hole course directly accessible from campground with preferred rates for campers. "The golf course is amazing. I can see a lot of folks choosing this RV park as a golf vacation," explains a visitor at Minnesota National RV Park. "The 18 hole course is quite challenging where the 9 hole Savannah is shorter and a little bit easier."
What campers like
Privacy and natural settings: Sites with woodland separation provide more secluded camping experiences. "Our site (33) was tucked way back in the woods, had a nice bit of privacy," mentions a camper at Minnesota National RV Park.
Dog-friendly amenities: Specialized pet areas with complete agility courses available at select campgrounds. "We absolutely loved the dog park. It was not just some small dog area it was top of the line dog park," shares a visitor to Banning RV Park and Campground. Another notes: "The fenced in dog park was a big bonus for our pup."
Lakes for recreation: Swimming beaches, paddleboats, and fishing opportunities with equipment rentals available. "The park features a lovely lake that's ideal for kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water," comments a visitor to Savanna Portage State Park. Another camper adds: "Paddle boats and kayaks for use. Well maintained. Easy in and easy out."
What you should know
Utilities placement: Power, water and sewer connections often require extended hoses and cables due to positioning. "The utilities are in the far back of the site. I needed about 20' of sewer, electric, and water hose to reach my rig," reports a camper at Minnesota National RV Park.
Shared water hookups: Some rv parks require Y-connectors for water access between sites. One visitor to Banning RV Park observed: "Water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots. Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Seasonal insect challenges: Bug activity varies greatly by season with peak mosquito presence in mid-summer. "We saw a bear while hiking the continental divide trail so nature is out there," notes a Savanna Portage visitor, adding "Yes it is buggy but it's minnesota so you deal with it."
Site leveling considerations: Gravel pads may require leveling blocks at many campgrounds. "Gravel pads, some a bit out of level. All 50 amp water and sewer," reports one Minnesota National RV Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Loon Lake at Savanna Portage offers family-friendly swimming areas with gentle shorelines. "Loon lake has a nice little 'park' with a beach so that is great for families," explains a visitor to Red Pine Campground. Another camper adds: "We enjoyed renting canoes for a bit in the afternoon and borrowed a kids activity kit."
Playground availability: Verify playground locations before booking as map information may be outdated. "Don't miss breakfast at the Palisade Cafe and dinner/beers at the Craft House - both are legit culinary experiences, not Sysco reheaters," suggests a visitor to Minnesota National RV Park, highlighting family dining options.
Activity rental options: Most lakefront campgrounds offer kayaks, canoes or paddle boats for hourly rental. "Paddle boats and kayaks for use. Well maintained," notes one Red Pine Campground visitor, adding "We caught a few little fish in the lake."
Tips from RVers
Navigation assistance: Call ahead for specific directions as GPS may lead to incorrect entrances. "Our RV GPs took us to the golf course, but we called the info phone number, which was the golf course clubhouse, to find out exactly how to get to the campground area," advises a visitor to Minnesota National RV Park.
Site selection for big rigs: Request pull-through sites when available for easier access with larger units. "Our site was a fairly level pull through, full hook up site," explains a visitor to Banning RV Park. "This was our first time out, we stayed with our RV and really enjoyed this place. The staff was great and willing to help with any questions or concerns we as rookies had!"
Arrival timing recommendations: Early arrival recommended as many sites have challenging hookup locations. "We arrived about an hour early of their 3:00 PM check-in time with no issues checking in," reports a camper at Fiddlestix RV and Golf Resort, adding "Our utilities were at the back of the site, and we needed about 35' of electric and water hose."
