Best Campgrounds near Bay Lake, MN

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Bay Lake, MN has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Bay Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bay Lake, Minnesota (155)

    1. True North Basecamp

    9 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    7 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."

    2. Red Rider Resort

    7 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    7 miles
    Website

    "Stayed at RV site 4 which is bordered by trees on one side which was nice for privacy."

    "Easy access to both single track and to paved cycling path. Sites are close but still felt private, especially when leaves fill in. Nice shower house, and a sauna we didn’t use."

    3. Camp Holiday Resort and Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bay Lake, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 678-2495

    $30 - $66 / night

    "We tent camped and appreciated the clean facilities, activities for kids to do, and close to great fishing lakes (Bay Lake & Borden Lake)."

    "Right on the lake with private dock. Sites a close by. Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back. Off of a quiet road. No traffic noise."

    4. Cuyuna Range Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cuyuna, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 228-2991

    $57 - $65 / night

    "And, this campground is close to the fun downtown in Crosby and the great bike trails and parks there. The Ironwood spot I was in is also especially private, so highly recommend it!"

    "It’s clean, well-maintained, and close to town for groceries and restaurants. Would stay here again."

    5. Cuyuna Country State Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 546-5926

    "The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels. The lake was super clear and the small beach was wonderful."

    "The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak."

    6. Crosby Memorial City Park

    3 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 546-5021

    "Easy trail access to the Cuyuna MTB trails and paved bike paths. Right on Serpent Lake for boating and swimming access."

    "On park, next to playground and beach. Walking distance to restaurants and bars, And easily bike to the Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trails.

    Cons. Road noise and low privacy."

    7. Crow Wing State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $21 / night

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

    "Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails, and good information signs with history of each site along the trail.

    Very Clean men’s bathroom."

    8. Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    14 Reviews
    Isle, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 532-3523

    "Stayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52."

    "This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."

    9. Cuyuna City Campground

    1 Review
    Cuyuna, MN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 546-5883

    $30 - $45 / night

    "Trail connector with easy access to Bobsled is right there and you can ride to Cruser's Kettle. Highly recommend."

    10. Aitkin County Campground

    3 Reviews
    Aitkin, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 927-7364

    "Central located water spigot for drinking also a dump station with water. Now the bad if the wind is blowing wrong you smell the waste water treatment plant next door."

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Recent Reviews near Bay Lake, MN

309 Reviews of 155 Bay Lake Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Heather T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Sandy Lake

    Nice place to stay

    This campground has 2 parts, the north section and the south section. The south is on a peninsula with just a few campsites. The north is the bigger part of the campground. The sites in the north are large and very well kept, each with a picnic table, fire ring and level sights. Two campground hosts who are very friendly and accommodating. Just a few vault toilets. If there's anywhere to improve, it is the number of toilets in the bigger campground. The south campground has the shower house and laundry, along with flush toilets. All in all, a very nice place to stay.

  • 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.

  • Jessica P.
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Hay Lake

    Solitude and Service

    We arrived on a Thursday with only one other group here, today is Friday and at 2:30pm, we are now the only ones here. The pit toilets are clean and well stocked, the day use area is beautiful!!! Access to moor your boat at a few sites, though it is down the hill from your actual campsite, which is no problem as they have stairs/paths down to them. This beautiful park seems to be very underutilized as it is July, going into a weekend, and all we hear are the birds and critters!!! PERFECT

  • Joni Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Mabel Lake State Dispersed

    Beautiful on the lake

    What a gem! I was able to back to the water to have a gorgeous view from bed! It was so quiet last night, although the beaked neighbors get pretty chatty early.

    There is a large puddle and so many mosquitos.

    Is say there's comfortly room for eight campers or a small group.

    My signal rating may be higher than normal as it's on an Intsy Connect antenna. My phone is getting 1 bar ATT.

  • 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.

  • Joni Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Mabel Lake State Dispersed

    Large clearing in the woods

    This is a free dispersed camping site in the state forest with lake access. Large enough for multiple campers or a small group. There are four rings and a picnic table as well as a sandy boat launch.

    ATT is usable enough that I probably won't try Starlink, but there may be enough clear sky.

    The road in is good, but gets narrow after you turn off for the spot.

  • Kylie M.
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Camp Holiday Resort and Campground

    Wonderful Family Campground

    We tent camped and appreciated the clean facilities, activities for kids to do, and close to great fishing lakes (Bay Lake & Borden Lake).


Guide to Bay Lake

Camping near Bay Lake, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. One visitor at Crow Wing State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails." Another camper at Father Hennepin State Park Campground enjoyed spotting an "albino deer on the hiking club trail!"
  • Water Activities: Enjoy canoeing or kayaking. A review from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground highlighted, "Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near lakes, making them great for fishing. A visitor at Gull Lake Recreation Area said, "Good fishing lake," which is perfect for those looking to cast a line.

What campers like

  • Secluded Sites: Campers appreciate the privacy of certain sites. One review for Crow Wing State Park Campground noted, "Sites 40 to 45 are very nice and secluded."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers are a big plus. A camper at Father Hennepin State Park Campground mentioned, "Decent bathrooms and showers were nice."
  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Many campgrounds offer playgrounds and other family-friendly features. A review for Crow Wing Lake Campground stated, "Fun for the whole family. Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store."

What you should know

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A visitor at Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground warned, "Bring bug spray in the summer!"
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A review for Ogechie Campground mentioned, "No running-water toilets or showers, but you can go to the campground over to use those if you want to."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Gull Lake Recreation Area advised, "Book early on Recreation.gov."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A review for Crow Wing Lake Campground highlighted, "Each site has a table and fire pit. Keep an eye on your account."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Protect the kids from mosquitoes. A camper at Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground reminded others, "Bring bug spray in the summer!"
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of fun things to do. One visitor at True North Basecamp enjoyed, "Great swimming area, though it did get deep fast for little kids."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Cuyuna Range Campground noted, "The sites were amazingly large with nice privacy between the lots."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. A camper at Cuyuna Range Campground mentioned, "Each lot has full hook-ups, that was a huge bonus!!"
  • Be Mindful of Traffic: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A review for Red Rider Resort pointed out, "Only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because it is right off highway and you can hear traffic."

Camping near Bay Lake, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there campgrounds available at Bay Lake?

Yes, there are campground options near Bay Lake. Camp Holiday Resort and Campground offers tent camping with clean facilities and activities for kids, located in close proximity to Bay Lake. The area also features Crosby Memorial City Park, a small city campground with water/electric hookups, a shower house, and playground facilities. Both provide good access to the lakes in the region and make excellent bases for exploring Bay Lake and surrounding waters.

Can I stay at an RV resort on Bay Lake?

Yes, the Bay Lake area offers several RV accommodation options. Minnesota National RV Park is a relatively new facility with gravel pads, full hookups (50 amp water and sewer), and is uniquely situated inside a golf course. Another option is South Isle Family Campground, which features an in-ground heated pool, great shower facilities, and plenty of shade trees. Both resorts provide comfortable amenities for RV travelers and serve as excellent bases for exploring Bay Lake.

What fishing opportunities are available at Bay Lake, Minnesota?

Bay Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities as one of Minnesota's premier fishing destinations. Nearby, Father Hennepin State Park Campground provides access to Lake Mille Lacs, one of Minnesota's largest lakes with abundant fishing. Savanna Portage State Park Campground is situated near four lakes with plenty of fishing opportunities. The Bay Lake area is known for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Multiple boat launches are available, and ice fishing is popular during winter months. Local bait shops provide current fishing reports and necessary equipment.