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.
