The Brainerd area extends west into Baxter, with camping options located around the Mississippi River headwaters and surrounding lakes. Most campgrounds near Baxter are positioned at elevations between 1,200-1,300 feet above sea level, creating mild temperature variations between day and night. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F at night to 80°F during day with higher humidity from June through August.
What to do
Biking on paved trails: Access the Paul Bunyan Trail directly from Crow Wing Lake Campground. "Fun for the whole family. Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store. Each site has a table and fire pit," notes Tori K. The trail connects multiple camping areas across the region.
Paddleboarding on mine lakes: Drive 20-30 minutes from Crow Wing State Park Campground to reach the Cuyuna mine lakes. "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," shares Sarah D., who used the park as a base camp for exploring the area.
Fishing for panfish: Rock Lake offers accessible fishing for families. "If you have little kids you can catch a million Sunnys but not much past that. It is a nice area as we took our kayaks and explored some of the other lakes and enjoyed the short weekend here," notes Scott M. The lake has emerging vegetation later in the season, which supports fish populations.
What campers like
Historical sites to explore: Crow Wing State Park contains preserved remnants of the 1890s town. "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," mentions Lindsey R. The historic significance makes it worth exploring even if you're staying elsewhere.
Riverside trails for sunset views: Take the 2-mile hiking club trail at Crow Wing for continuous sunset views along the Mississippi. "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," explains HollyRose M., noting the loop trail takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Evening quiet time enforcement: Most campgrounds maintain evening quiet hours that are generally respected. "The campground was overall pretty quiet, and my site was wooded so that I normally could not see other campers from my site, which was great! It felt decently quiet," reports Sarah D. about her solo camping experience.
What you should know
Ranger presence for solo campers: Rangers at Crow Wing State Park make regular rounds and take note of campers. "I noticed that the rangers stopped and talked to me night one, and remembered me- which made me feel very safe as a solo female camper," shares Sarah D., highlighting the added security for those camping alone.
Summer mosquito conditions: Prepare for significant mosquito activity, particularly in wooded areas near water. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" warns Sarah D. Bring appropriate repellent for both humans and pets when camping during summer months.
Campsite occupancy patterns: First-come, first-served campgrounds like Rock Lake fill quickly on weekends. "You have to get here before 10 am on Friday to ensure that of happening," advises Scott M. regarding waterfront sites. Plan to arrive early for prime locations, especially at non-reservable campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground and water recreation options: Crow Wing Lake Campground offers multiple activities for children. "This campground is perfect for families with the heated pool, swimming beach, super playground and activities like horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, ladder golf, disc golf, and more," explains Kristen B. The campground also rents paddleboards and funyaks.
Lake swimming considerations: Check water conditions before planning swimming activities. "The lake was too mucky and weedy to swim in but has to be a great fishing lake," notes Laura B. about Crow Wing Lake, suggesting families might prefer the on-site pool for swimming during certain seasons.
Campground cleanliness standards: Many campgrounds maintain clean facilities even during busy periods. "Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool (not open in Sept), lake with ample docks for fishing or you can rent boats," Carmen W. mentions about Crow Wing Lake Campground, which maintains its facilities throughout the season.
Tips from RVers
Accessible campsite layouts: Gull Lake Recreation Area provides level sites ideal for RVs. "The sites are flat gravel (class5) no leveling blocks needed. Nice sandy beach on the other side of the dam. Nice playground for the small people," explains Scott G. Sites are described as huge and well-separated, accommodating even larger rigs.
Pet-friendly RV policies: Most campgrounds welcome dogs but have specific policies. "Seriously great family rv campground. Quiet from 10 pm - 8 am and lot's to do for kids and adults," explains Laura B. about Crow Wing Lake Campground, which enforces quiet hours to maintain a peaceful environment for all campers, including those with pets.
Advance booking requirements: Secure reservations months ahead for dog friendly campgrounds near Baxter during peak season. "Book early on Recreation.gov - we reserved 6 months out for memorial weekend…" advises Deb M. about Gull Lake Recreation Area, indicating the popularity of pet-accommodating sites in the region.