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.
"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."
"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."
$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."
$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."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"Stayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52."
"This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."
$30 - $45 / night
"Trail connector with easy access to Bobsled is right there and you can ride to Cruser's Kettle. Highly recommend."
"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."
ScoutWe tent camped and appreciated the clean facilities, activities for kids to do, and close to great fishing lakes (Bay Lake & Borden Lake).
LegendThis is a nice campground with beautiful tall pine trees....but the sites are wayyyyy too close together. We had noisy neighbors with lots of tiny yappy dogs (literally 7 in 1 camper) that never stopped barking. Apparently they used to have less sites but recently redid things to squeeze more in. Playground, beach access, picnic pavilion, restrooms.
TravelerNice park camping but way too close to other campers. Rob wouldn’t stay here.
GuideWe rode ATVs to this campground in 2024 and we plan on stopping again for a night in 2025. Spacious sites but we set our tents up in the sunny center area so things dried out quickly in the morning.
ScoutCould just be the current political budget restraints but I tent camped Gull Lake RA for four nights never saw a Ranger. Here there is a security gate you have to go through before you enter and multiple Rangers. Could be that were so close to town here. highway traffic noise even at furthest site. I will ask about dispersed camping and try to report back. They have shower facilities here just like a gull lake. Yes that means noisy Motorhomes, and travel trailers at all sites.
GuideI was looking to take a solo camping trip for the weekend and paddleboard on the Cuyuna Mine Lakes. 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 is nothing spectacular, but it was nice, wooded, and the staff were great. It was my first time solo camping in awhile, so I opted to stay at a state park where there would be rangers. 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. 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 . If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!
You can join the hiking club trail straight from the campground, which was nice- I went on a few beautiful sunset walks to watch the sunset over the river
The bathroom and shower were clean and easily accessible.
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.
This park is not one of the most spectacular in Minnesota, but I had a great stay and it was very relaxing. It was great for a weekend getaway for a solo female camper looking to do some paddle boarding in the area
Legendoffers sites with no hookups and sites with electric (no water, but potable water station is provided to fill up prior to parking) bathrooms and showers in the campground. Fire ring and picnic table provide for each site. Firewood and sewage dump station also provided for free to registered campers. There is a dock, sand swimming beach, horseshoe pits, disc golf, basketball court, and softball field.
LegendThe people were really nice!! Great lakefront sites. The campground is out of town so fairly quiet but a little bit of road noise. Close to Mora in case you need anything or are looking for something to do.
TravelerSavanna Portage State Park is a beautiful and peaceful spot for camping, especially if you enjoy tent camping. The campsites are well-spaced, private, and perfect for tents, offering a great connection to nature.
The park features a lovely lake that’s ideal for kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water. There are also several great hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore the scenic forest and wetlands.
One thing to note—there are a lot of bugs in the summer, so make sure to pack plenty of bug spray! Overall, it’s a fantastic place for outdoor lovers looking for a quiet and rustic getaway.
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.
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
According to TheDyrt.com, Bay Lake, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 153 campgrounds and RV parks near Bay Lake, MN and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bay Lake, MN is True North Basecamp with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Bay Lake, MN.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Bay Lake, MN that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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