Best Campgrounds near Baxter, MN

Camping near Baxter, Minnesota centers around the Mississippi River and surrounding lakes, with options ranging from state park campgrounds to specialized water-access sites. Crow Wing State Park Campground provides both tent and RV sites with varying levels of privacy, while the Baxter Canoe Camp offers primitive tent camping exclusively accessible by watercraft on the Mississippi River Water Trail. Overlook Park Canoe Campsite, maintained by the city of Baxter, serves as an official stop on the DNR's state water trail with designated tent sites right on the river. The area also includes Gull Lake Recreation Area, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which consistently receives high ratings from visitors for its clean facilities and waterfront access.

Most campgrounds in the Baxter area operate seasonally from April through October, with specific opening and closing dates varying by location. Summer brings warm temperatures ideal for water recreation but also significant mosquito activity, particularly in wooded areas. According to one camper at Crow Wing State Park, visitors should "expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly" when camping in summer months. Winter camping options are limited, though some sites at nearby Mille Lacs Kathio State Park offer electric hookups for cold-weather camping. Fire restrictions follow Minnesota state regulations, with only approved local firewood permitted in state parks to prevent the spread of invasive species.

The camping experiences around Baxter vary significantly based on location and access type. RV campers will find full hookup options at several campgrounds, while paddlers can access unique riverside sites. One visitor described Baxter Canoe Camp as having "more amenities than most campgrounds I've paid to stay in," including level tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears occasionally visiting campsites. For those seeking privacy, non-electric tent sites at Crow Wing State Park offer more seclusion than the more densely arranged RV sites. Cell service is generally available but varies in strength throughout the area, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to Brainerd.

Best Camping Sites Near Baxter, Minnesota (154)

    1. Crow Wing State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $21 / night

    "Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well."

    "Tent camp here once and a while, but finally got around to officially doing the hiking club trail."

    2. Gull Lake Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 290-5772

    $32 - $50 / night

    "Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers."

    "We stayed in site 29 with electric and it was large but the only down fall is the firewood for purchase is next to the site, so there is a bit more foot traffic walking by."

    3. Crow Wing Lake Campground

    10 Reviews
    Fort Ripley, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 829-6468

    "What a beautiful, peaceful sight in the woods next to the lake. Sit back and relaxing camping at it finest"

    "Only drawback was the lake was too mucky and weedy to swim in but has to be a great fishing lake. The owner's were awesome. Seriously great family rv campground."

    4. Canoe Landing Campsite — Crow Wing State Park

    3 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $22 / night

    "This is a canoe campsite that is part of the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail, one stop on the paddle trail which allows canoers and kayakers to paddle from Lake Itasca to to the north, all the"

    "We were bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark. I self registered because the office was closed (wrote in canoe site since you can't reserve it online)."

    5. Lum City Park

    3 Reviews
    Brainerd, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 828-2320

    6. Rock Lake

    5 Reviews
    Nisswa, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $15 / night

    "There are about 10 sites that are next to the water giving you access to fishing, swimming and docking a small watercraft. Most of the sites are surrounded by trees. Which is great for privacy."

    "This a rustic campground with no showers and vault toilets. some sites are open and next to each other. there are RV people who think that because it’s rustic that they can run their generators all day"

    7. Baxter Canoe Camp

    1 Review
    Baxter, MN
    2 miles
    Website

    "Baxter Canoe Camp is certainly accessible by canoe, and possibly by foot/car, but I'm not certain about the latter."

    8. True North Basecamp

    9 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 833-2267

    "The cabins are my favorite because of the lake views, proximity to the bathhouse, and heat/AC units. Cabin #5 has the best unobstructed views of the lake. Cabins have WiFi."

    "A great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy."

    9. Birch Bay RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Nisswa, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 963-4488

    $60 - $80 / night

    "Sites are huge, very dog friendly, quiet, ice and firewood on site, cute little lake with gorgeous sunsets, huge kiddy play area on water, free kayak and paddle board use, nice little onsite store."

    10. Overlook Park Canoe Campsite

    1 Review
    Baxter, MN
    2 miles
    Website

    "This hidden gem is on the Mississippi water trail around mile 996. It is called "Overlook Park" and owned/maintained by the city of Baxter, but is part of the DNR's state water trail."

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Recent Reviews near Baxter, MN

310 Reviews of 154 Baxter Campgrounds


  • C
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Cuyuna Range Campground

    We won't stay anywhere else!

    We love camping at Cuyuna Range Campground. We stay at Cuyuna a couple of times each year. It is clean, quiet and so relaxing. There is so much to see and do in the area or just relax at our campsite. Check this campground out you will not be disappointed!

  • Lindsey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Beautiful park with so many things to do!

    Set on the Upper Missisippi this was well worth the 8 Mile detour off the main east/west route through MN. History, hiking, biking, fishing and boating here. We grabbed a site just above the river. So peaceful and quiet. The few campers here on a late September day were mostly at the electric site area. There is an old town site with informational plaques along the way that depict what life was like here in the 1890s. Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake

    Crosslake MN COE campground

    This is a spacious campground with 123 sites, most with electricity, all wooded. The Lake is actually part of a string of lakes friendly to high speed motor boats as well as canoeing/kayaking. Like all other COE campgrounds, it honors campground passes, cutting the fees by half. A COE ranger patrols regularly. It of definitely dog friendly without breed or size restrictions. It is just north of Brainard, MN so civilization is nearby but the turn of Crosslake has All the amenities of city life. As with many other campgrounds, it's not busy Sunday-Thursday but gets much busier on weekend days. I would highly recommend this campground.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rum River State Forest

    Free parking in solitude.

    No potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park.

  • James R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Greer Lake

    Great rustic camp ground

    This my second time here and I love it. It’s on a lake on state forest trail and 2 toilets and water pumps.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Great place to camp.

    Two Rivers Campground is the perfect spot for a fun and relaxing getaway. They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered. The general store has all your camping essentials, plus they make great pizza and other food—delivered right to your campsite along with firewood and ice, just by calling or texting. The campground also features a beautiful beach area on the river that’s perfect for swimming. A few nice spots to shower and restrooms. Quiet beaches one is 1100 to 0900. It’s well maintained and taken care of. We will come back again.

  • Laura P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Boulder Woods RV Park

    Mature trees and park like setting

    Boulder Woods is mostly seasonal camping but does have RV sites for overnight and weekly camping. The park is well maintained with power and water at all sites. There is a view of Ann Lake, however, the RV park is not on the banks of the lake and does not have access to the lake.

  • The Rolling Panda  ..
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground

    Small quiet park

    This park is very small, minimal vegetation between sites. It was buggy, but manageable. Clean facilities, easy to navigate. If you're looking for a quiet small park this is a good place to start.


Guide to Baxter

Camping near Baxter, Minnesota centers on the Mississippi River water trail, with numerous sites positioned along mile markers 990-1000 of this paddling route. The region sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, creating a transitional zone between prairie and northern forest ecosystems. Fall camping from late September through October offers colorful foliage with daytime temperatures averaging 45-65°F and minimal insect activity.

What to do

Paddleboarding at Cuyuna Lakes: Crow Wing State Park serves as a convenient base camp for water activities in the greater area. "I booked the trip pretty late because of a lot of different factors, but Crow Wing State park still had plenty of availability... The park was a 20-30 minute drive from the Cuyuna Mines area, so I was able to easily drive over Saturday morning and spend the day paddleboarding," notes Sarah D.

Historic exploration: The region offers multiple historical sites within the parks. At Crow Wing State Park Campground, "There is an old town site with informational plaques along the way that depict what life was like here in the 1890s. Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too," writes Lindsey R. The area preserves remnants of 19th century settlements and trading posts.

Riverside sunset hikes: Trails along the Mississippi offer exceptional evening views. "Love doing a sunset hike, this trail is just over two miles, all along the river, with pretty much continual sunset views if you take the trail East to West. It's a loop, which is always preferred I think," reports HollyRose M. about her experience at Crow Wing State Park.

Water trail camping: The Mississippi River Water Trail provides unique camping opportunities for paddlers. Overlook Park Canoe Campsite "is on the Mississippi water trail around mile 996... There is a specific spot RIGHT on the river with a picnic table, fire ring, and nice high ground soft space for a tent," according to HollyRose M.

What campers like

Waterfront access: Many sites offer direct water access for recreation. At Gull Lake Recreation Area, "There is a picnic area, playground, and fishing pier on the river, and another playground at the beach on the lake. There is a full boat launch with double docks," reports Janet R., making it ideal for fishing and boating.

Spacious, level sites: Campers consistently praise the site quality at many campgrounds. "The sites are huge and generally well separated. Plenty of room for even the biggest rigs. The sites are flat gravel (class5) no leveling blocks needed," notes Scott G. about Gull Lake Recreation Area.

Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower cleanliness rates highly in visitor satisfaction. "The bathrooms and vault toilets are the cleanest I've ever seen!" exclaims Jessi about Gull Lake Recreation Area, while another visitor mentions, "Clean and tidy vault toilets" at Crow Wing State Park.

Multi-use recreation options: The area offers diverse activities beyond water sports. True North Basecamp provides "trail access to Cuyuna MTB trails" according to Kim H., while Craig O. notes it's "Connected by trail to Cuyuna Rec Area world class mountain bike trails." The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail also passes through several campgrounds in the region.

What you should know

Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from early May through mid-October. Lum City Park has a specific season "from May 1 to October 15," while Rock Lake remains open slightly longer from "April 1 to November 30."

Mosquito preparation: Summer brings significant insect activity in wooded areas. Visitors should bring appropriate repellent and protective clothing, especially during peak months.

First-come availability: Some sites cannot be reserved in advance. Rock Lake operates on a first-come basis where "you have to get here before 10 am on Friday" to secure waterfront sites according to Scott M., who adds "the hosts were great but they said it fills up really quick."

Water access restrictions: Several campgrounds limit access to watercraft users only. The Baxter Canoe Camp is "certainly accessible by canoe, and possibly by foot/car, but I'm not certain about the latter," according to Amy G. Overlook Park specifically designates sites for canoe and kayak travelers on the Mississippi River Water Trail.

Tips for camping with families

Protected swimming areas: For safer water access with children, select campgrounds with dedicated beach areas. Crow Wing Lake Campground offers multiple water recreation options as "a great campground with large spots and mostly private... Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool (not open in Sept), lake with ample docks for fishing or you can rent boats," according to Carmen W.

Family-focused activities: Some campgrounds offer more structured recreation options. Kristen B. describes Crow Wing Lake Campground as "perfect for families with the heated pool, swimming beach, super playground and activities like horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, ladder golf, disc golf, and more."

Wildlife awareness: Bears occasionally visit campsites in the region. Amy G. recounts at Baxter Canoe Camp: "We did have a nighttime visitor in the form of something big and black and furry... It never approached the tent, we never had to yell, and it never threatened. Simply grunted and 'barked' a few times, and then wandered away."

Accessibility options: Several campgrounds accommodate visitors with mobility needs. Janet R. notes about Gull Lake Recreation Area: "The campground really is nicely handicapped accessible, with broad open campsites, accessible bathrooms, and paved trails, so this would be a good place for folks in wheelchairs or scooters."

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup distribution: Power availability varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. At Birch Bay RV Resort, Scott K. notes it offers "Full hookups, good resort wifi and good Verizon," whereas Rock Lake has "no electric hookups" making it better suited for tent camping.

Site privacy variations: RV site layouts differ dramatically between campgrounds. Janet R. notes about Crow Wing State Park: "The electric site area isn't super awesome, as it gets crowded and is more like a huge group camp. But the rest are way more private."

Dumping facilities: Availability of sanitary dump stations varies by location. Scott G. mentions about Gull Lake Recreation Area: "If I were to knock anything it would be the $5 dumping charge."

Leveling requirements: Site grading affects setup time and comfort. The gravel sites at Gull Lake Recreation Area require "no leveling blocks" according to Scott G., while at True North Basecamp, some campers report sloping issues requiring careful tent placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Baxter campground located in Minnesota?

Baxter Canoe Camp is located on the Mississippi River water trail around mile 996 in the city of Baxter, Minnesota. This campground is maintained by the city of Baxter but is part of the DNR's state water trail. Another option in the area is Overlook Park Canoe Campsite, which is also located in Baxter along the Mississippi River water trail and serves as a convenient stopping point for paddlers.

Are there seasonal camping options at Baxter campground?

While specific seasonal camping information for Baxter campgrounds is limited in the reviews, the area offers several options with varied seasonal availability. South Isle Family Campground near Mille Lacs Lake accommodates longer stays and weekend trips with amenities like a heated in-ground pool. For those interested in cabin rentals during different seasons, Bayside Cabins Resort on Pine Mountain Lake provides an alternative to traditional camping. Contact the specific campground directly for their exact seasonal operating dates and extended-stay policies.

What amenities are available at Baxter campgrounds?

Baxter Canoe Camp offers an impressive array of amenities for a river campsite, including fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water access. Campers report that this site has more amenities than many paid campgrounds. For those seeking different options in the surrounding area, Crosby Memorial City Park features shower facilities, water/electric hookups, a playground, and is situated on Serpent Lake with easy access to boating, swimming, and mountain biking trails.