1350Fun 
Traveler
TravelerDiamond Lake
Private area no camping here road is muddy and deep unaccessible route
Drove 2 hrs up to this spot to find no trespass and then we got my 4x4 stuck had to walk 2 hrs to get help..do not go here!!
Camping near Bay Lake, MN
155 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Several campgrounds surround Bay Lake in the Brainerd Lakes region of central Minnesota, offering a range of camping styles from lakefront tent sites to cabin rentals. Camp Holiday Resort and Campground provides waterfront sites with private docks on Round Lake, while Crosby Memorial City Park offers in-town camping with easy access to both Serpent Lake and the world-class Cuyuna mountain bike trail system. True North Basecamp caters to mountain bikers with tent sites, cabins and direct trail access. Most campgrounds in this region provide water and electric hookups for RVs while also accommodating tent campers.
Most campgrounds in the Bay Lake area operate seasonally, typically open from May through September or mid-October. "The sites aren't very private, but some are right on the lake with a beautiful view," noted one visitor to Camp Holiday. Winter weather makes camping challenging during colder months, though Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area remains open year-round for those prepared for Minnesota winters. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when lakefront sites fill quickly. The area features a mix of city-managed parks, private resorts, and state recreation areas, each with different reservation systems and amenity levels.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with many mentioning the quality of fishing and water recreation. Campers appreciate the proximity to lakes while still having access to towns like Crosby and Deerwood for supplies and dining. One camper described Camp Holiday as "the perfect size on a perfect size clean lake," highlighting the area's appeal for family camping. Beyond water recreation, the region is known for excellent mountain biking at the Cuyuna trail system, which connects directly to several campgrounds. Bathroom and shower facilities at most established campgrounds are frequently praised for cleanliness, with many campsites offering picnic tables, fire rings, and access to firewood.
Best Campgrounds near Bay Lake (155)
1. True North Basecamp
"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. Camp Holiday Resort and Campground
"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."
from $30 - $66 / night
Check Availability3. Red Rider Resort
"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."
4. Cuyuna Range Campground
"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."
from $57 - $65 / night
Check Availability5. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground
"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."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability6. Crosby Memorial City Park
"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
"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."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability8. Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
"Stayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52."
"This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability9. Old Iron Camp
"Well groomed, right next to trails, lakes , shops restraunts excellent locatin"
from $55 - $75 / night
Check Availability10. Cuyuna City Campground
"Trail connector with easy access to Bobsled is right there and you can ride to Cruser's Kettle. Highly recommend."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 26 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 37 min from Duluth, MN
- 1 hr 47 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 37 min from Fargo, ND
Recent Camping Photos near Bay Lake, MN
97 Photos of 155 Bay Lake Campgrounds
Makayla B.
True North Basecamp
Lauren
Red Rider Resort
Shelly T.
Old Iron Camp
Dave T.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground
Ed W.
Aitkin County Campground
James R.
Greer Lake
The Dyrt
Sullivans Resort and Campground
Jordan L.
Ogechie Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Ashley H.
Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Amy G.
Baxter Canoe Camp
Denny K.
Crosslake Campground
Dan C.
Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake
Recent Reviews near Bay Lake, MN
319 Reviews of 155 Bay Lake Campgrounds
- GGlen B.
RangerReddington Pass Dispersed
Goose chase
Gps puts the site smack in the middle of a soybean? field. The Dyrt needs to get with it on it's Minnesota sites. Phft.
- Crystal R.
GuideFather Hennepin State Park Campground
Cozy little state park right on the water!
I stayed here last summer (2025)and am planning on staying here this summer as well.
The park is smaller than it's sister park Mille Lacs Kathio, but it definitely has some things that are better about it!
I stayed in the Maplewood campground, which I recommend if you like quiet and privacy. The sites are further apart and give you a more "in the woods" feel. The other campground (lake view) is more traditional RV style camping where the sites are fairly close. However they have some sites (small and close together) that have views directly of the lake, if that's your thing.
I stayed at site 96 which was verrrrry deep and felt pretty private. It's backed up to the woods so you don't have anyone behind you. It has a nice tent pad, and plenty of space for canopies or other equipment. It's a short walk down to the water too, where there's a fishing pier really close by, and a large beach a little further down. I went in very early June and the mosquitoes honestly weren't terrible yet, but the caterpillars were everywhere! There were caterpillars all over my tent, in my sandals I left outside my tent, on my car, etc. When I found one I just relocated them to a safer area in the woods. Lots of deer, you can hear owls at night, squirrels etc. It is bear country, but I didn't see any bears. I kept my food locked up in my car.
One night it was kind if windy and you could hear the waves on the lake from the tent, so that was kinda cool.
I have t mobile and had decent service here as well.
- Crystal R.Guide
Camper Cabins — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Beautiful cabins, excellent staff!
I had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
- the cabins are kinda close together, but there's trees and shrubs between (although several fewer than there were earlier this week 😭) so it does kinda feel private. But the noise can travel (there were people two cabins down my first night and I did hear them just a little bit).
- there's not much cell service. I heard Verizon does best. I had t mobile and depending on where I was standing I either got zero bars or occasionally up to 2bars (usually I didn't really get much though). That's kinda annoying especially during situations like the storm that happened (thankfully I was not harmed, my car wasn't harmed, and the cabin didn't get damaged from the tiny tree that fell right on it).
- Amanda P.
ScoutLum City Park
Nice stay
Small campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities. City park is just across the parking lot and includes a beach, fishing docks, boat access and the bathroom/shower amenities. Be warned that the map online may not seem quite accurate. They camp spots seem much larger and spaced apart more then they actually are. Even the host agreed with that. We picked a site that seemed like it would be plenty large enough for our camper and truck but in reality it was barely big enough for our camper which is 31 feet long. So be aware of that when booking. My kids enjoyed the beach area when it was nice enough out. Bathrooms are what I would call a typical public bathroom. Could use some updating such as repainting and better mirrors over the sink area and I didn’t see a single trash can in the bathroom either. The shower area is basic but does the job. It’s a single person room basically but there is no interior lock so if someone has a key and you don’t hear them knock they can enter and with it being just a room as soon as that door is open it’s not private. All in all I would stay there again but I would definitely be more prepared and pick a better location for a site.
- SShanae O.Traveler
Two Rivers Campground
Amazing
Absolutely love this campground. 2nd year for my family. We plan on coming back for many years to come. This place is completely family oriented. Very well maintained. Wonderful staff members. Just overall a wonderful experience each and every time. I highly recommend a visit if you want to make memories that will last a life time.
Erin H.ScoutCamp Holiday Resort and Campground
Lake Resort!
Camp Holiday has many great options for lodging and amenities. The hosts are personable and friendly. There are activities for everyone; kids, teens and adults. The lake is big enough and they have two beach access points. We can't wait to stay again this summer!
- Shelly T.Scout
Old Iron Camp
Best looking camp ground in area
Well groomed, right next to trails, lakes , shops restraunts excellent locatin
- CChristine K.Scout
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!
Guide to Bay Lake
The Bay Lake area in central Minnesota sits within the Mississippi River basin, with several mine pit lakes formed from abandoned iron ore mines dating to the early 1900s. These mine pit lakes are known for their unusually clear water and steep underwater drop-offs. Most camping sites near Bay Lake, Minnesota are positioned around these former mining pits or connecting natural lakes, offering access to both water recreation and extensive trail systems.
What to do
Mountain biking at Cuyuna trails: The world-class Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area connects directly to several campgrounds, with routes for all skill levels. "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," notes a visitor to Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.
Water activities on mine pit lakes: The Red Rider Resort offers direct lake access with unique features. "Beautiful views of the lake (mine pit) and swimming off of the private dock. If you want to fish here you must have a trout stamp," explains one camper. Another adds, "We want to come back and rent a cabin next time."
Historical exploration: Crow Wing State Park features interpretive trails documenting the area's history. "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," notes a recent visitor.
What campers like
Direct trail connections: True North Basecamp earns praise for its accessibility to trail systems. "Loved the proximity of True North to both Crosby restaurants and bars and the incredible trails of Cuyuna Country," writes a camper. Another mentioned, "Great rustic campground with trail access to Cuyuna MTB trails. Offers hot showers."
Clean facilities: Cuyuna Range Campground receives high marks for its infrastructure. "The sites were amazingly large with nice privacy between the lots. Easy to get into with plenty of room to spare. Each lot has full hook-ups, that was a huge bonus!" One reviewer notes the campground has "everything you need and nothing you don't."
Private sites: Unlike more crowded options, many campers value the spacing at certain campgrounds. "The site here was nice and wooded. Definitely a bit more private than other Cuyuna options," notes a Red Rider Resort visitor. Another camper commented, "Sites are close but still felt private, especially when leaves fill in."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most Bay Lake area campgrounds operate from May through October, but limited winter camping is available. "This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping," notes a reviewer at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the area. "We loved this camp site. Very clean. The only downside depending on your view are the bears. There was a black bear in our camp 15 minutes after we went to sleep," reports a Mille Lacs Kathio camper.
Insects: Mosquitoes and flies can be intense during peak summer months. "Mosquitoes are extra brutal mid summer here so be prepared," warns one camper. Another reports: "Before we even stopped the car the deer flies were pelting the windows. Hundreds."
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly during summer weekends. Visitors to Cuyuna Range Campground note, "The website is easy to use, and the owners are responsive and super nice people."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Crosby Memorial City Park offers family-friendly amenities. "A very cool place for the kids! Swimming beach on Serpent lake is nice for the whole family. When they're tired of swimming, the skate park is always a good time. The playground is modern and very nice," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes offer fishing access for kids. "My kids had fun fishing for panfish off their dock," mentions a Red Rider Resort visitor. The fishing in mine pit lakes differs from natural lakes, with trout being stocked in some locations.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas appropriate for children. "We brought our paddleboard and had a great time on the quiet lake. We did hike up to the top of the camp area and were glad we stayed in the cabins," explains a True North Basecamp visitor discussing their family stay.
Cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, cabins provide a comfortable alternative. "Cabins are basic but clean with comfortable beds, a table and AC! Right on the lake and direct access to the trails," reports a True North Basecamp guest.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Most RV sites in the area accommodate medium-sized units but have limitations. "The roads are very bumpy and narrow. There is no wood for sale, no dump station and the water has a funky taste," advises a Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area visitor.
Limited full hookups: While many campgrounds offer electric, not all provide full hookups. "Sites in the Cuyuna area have 50/30/20 amp electric, water, and sewer connection. Nice layout with ample trees between every site, and each pad is super wide," notes a Cuyuna Range Campground visitor.
Dump station locations: Some campgrounds require off-site dumping. "It's a nice little campground on the Mississippi River... Now the bad if the wind is blowing wrong you smell the waste water treatment plant next door," mentions an Aitkin County Campground guest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there campgrounds available at Bay Lake?
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?
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?
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.
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