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Camping near Brainerd, MN
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The Brainerd, Minnesota area contains multiple campgrounds offering various accommodation options along the Mississippi River and nearby lakes. Crow Wing State Park Campground provides tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites where the Crow Wing and Mississippi Rivers meet. Gull Lake Recreation Area, approximately 10 miles north of downtown Brainerd, offers tent and RV camping with boat access. Other options include True North Basecamp with cabin accommodations, Lum City Park with RV hookups, and several waterfront locations featuring tent-only sites accessible by canoe, including Baxter Canoe Camp on the Mississippi River.
Camping season in the Brainerd region typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing by mid-November. Crow Wing State Park operates from April 1 to November 13, while Gull Lake Recreation Area is open May 1 through October 31. Water access sites on the Mississippi River remain available as long as the river is navigable. Many campgrounds provide amenities like showers, drinking water, and electric hookups, though facilities vary significantly between developed and primitive sites. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront locations fill quickly. According to one visitor, "There is a lake within walking distance. It is a small campground. 15 sites. Firepits. Water and electricity. Shower and restrooms."
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites throughout the area. The Mississippi River corridor provides unique camping experiences with several boat-in sites receiving excellent reviews. A recent review noted, "Hands down, one of the all time best campsites I've ever been to. Not many places you can camp and wake up to the sound of water babbling on the Mississippi River." Wildlife encounters are common, with some campers reporting bear activity in more remote locations. Crow Wing State Park features historic sites and hiking trails along the river, adding educational value to camping trips. The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail passes through the park, connecting to over 120 miles of recreational paths for campers seeking outdoor recreation beyond their campsite. While most campgrounds maintain clean facilities, some visitors mention that bathrooms at certain locations are dated or limited in number relative to the campsite density.
Best Campgrounds near Brainerd (163)
1. Crow Wing State Park Campground
"I live close so I visit frequently to use the trails for running."
"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."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability2. Crow Wing Lake Campground
"What a beautiful, peaceful sight in the woods next to the lake. Sit back and relaxing camping at it finest"
"Only drawback was the lake was too mucky and weedy to swim in but has to be a great fishing lake. The owner's were awesome. Seriously great family rv campground."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability3. Gull Lake Recreation Area
"It is a short 10 minute drive into Brainerd. If you are looking to eat out we love The Boulder Tap House and Rafferty’s pizza! You will love staying at this campground."
"Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers."
from $32 - $50 / night
Check Availability4. Lum City Park
"Small campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities."
5. 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."
6. 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."
7. Baxter Canoe Camp
"There is a trail for maintenance workers to drive in (they come by regularly to empty the trash cans!), but I don't know if it's for drive in traffic as well."
8. Canoe Landing Campsite — Crow Wing State Park
"This is a canoe campsite that is part of the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail, one stop on the paddle trail which allows canoers and kayakers to paddle from Lake Itasca to to the north, all the"
"We were bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark. I self registered because the office was closed (wrote in canoe site since you can't reserve it online)."
9. Camp Holiday Resort and Campground
"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."
"We had site 4, lake side access. The site was amazing, with a dock to the lake. Has a picnic table with a lean to shelter, and a fire ring."
from $30 - $66 / night
Check Availability10. Birch Bay RV Resort
"Sites are huge, very dog friendly, quiet, ice and firewood on site, cute little lake with gorgeous sunsets, huge kiddy play area on water, free kayak and paddle board use, nice little onsite store."
from $60 - $80 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 5 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 55 min from Duluth, MN
- 1 hr 58 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 15 min from Fargo, ND
Recent Camping Photos near Brainerd, MN
95 Photos of 163 Brainerd Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Baxter Canoe Camp
Sullivans Resort and Campground
Crow Wing State Park Campground
Gull Lake Recreation Area
Gull and Love Lake Campground
Canoe Landing Campsite — Crow Wing State Park
Old Iron Camp
True North Basecamp
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Campground
Rock Lake
Red Rider Resort
Military Park Camp Ripley DeParcq Woods Campground
Recent Reviews near Brainerd, MN
339 Reviews of 163 Brainerd Campgrounds
David L.
GuideCrosby Memorial City Park
Convenient to town
The great part about this campground was that it was conveniently located in the attractive town of Crosby. The sites were small and close together. The most negative part was the restrooms. They were very old and used by all the people enjoying the lake & park. It would be nice to have a restroom facility dedicated to campers only. The concept of a campground in the city park is wonderful, but could use just a little more fine tuning.
- KKari T.
ScoutCuyuna Range Campground
Peaceful
Nice big camping spots. Very peaceful area with good tree coverage between sites. FULL HOOK-UP!!!!! Loved the info board with games to play & businesses offering discounts. Crosby is a fun little town with tons of shops & eateries. We made use of the kayak rental in town & it was super convenient. Literally just had to show up & hop in. Kayaking in the middle area was amazing. See frogs, fish, soft shell turtles, beautiful rocks & scenery. I wish I'd brought my bike to ride the trails. Just means I have to go back!
elizabeth B.GuideSebeka Public Park and Campground
nice hookups
Nice little park with four hookups. Maybe six, I'm not sure, but four for sure. Bathrooms with showers. $30/night with hookups, $15/night without. They also have potable water and a dump station, which they charge for. Gotta pay cash though I guess a check will work.
- JJeremy J.Scout
Crosby Memorial City Park
Ugh, don’t know why I was expecting
In town campground near in a busy park. Wasn’t to bad during the day but was awful at night. More street lights than I had anticipated but the worst was how many people drove through parking area of park late at night with loud music or the police using bright search lights after midnight or pulling people over in the parking lot. Only one shower in a public restroom with prison style equipment. If you want to be in town this is your spot otherwise I would look into other campgrounds.
Patrick W.GuideBackpack Campsites — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
GLAR Glacier Ridge Site
Great site. Has a good fire ring. Has a wilderness toilet off away from the site. Trail into the site is well marked. You’ll get plenty of animal sounds from the beaver dam lake that is right by the site. Has a picnic table. There is only one tent pad. Not a completely level place for a second tent so prepared if you have two tents that one of them will be on a slight angle.
- KKimysue J.Guide
Cross Lake Recreation Area
Nice developed campground
This is a large and popular developed campground. With camping options for a variety of campers. There are sites with both water and electric, some with just electric, and some without either. Do not expect quiet or solitude. This is a busy place. There are 2 shower houses with restrooms. Only 1 vault toilet. There are water spigots. There was only one boat launch in operation. The only garbage is by the park entrance. The biggest fault is the lack of facilities for the size of the campground. That being said the sites are spacious, shaded, and well maintained. This is a great place for boating and the beaches are nice and one is dog friendly. Staff are friendly and helpful.
Parker N.ScoutCuyuna Range Campground
Awesome Spot!
Great location, with large sights. Out sight was surrounding by wild Raspberries so that was also a bonus. They had a scavenger hunt/ and campground bingo that was DIY that my daughters loved. 10/10 campground, would definitely recommend.
- KKat H.Scout
Camp Holiday Resort and Campground
Wonderful Place!
We have been going up to Camp Holiday for about 5 years now and staying in the same campsite. We just love this place. We have the same neighbors every year so it is like having a family reunion each time. It is so clean and quiet and the sunsets are absolutely beautiful. It is so nice just sitting by the lake listening to the loons. It is hard to leave at the end of the week! Thank you Camp Holiday for giving us such a great week every year!
Guide to Brainerd
The Mississippi River flows through the Brainerd area, creating diverse camping terrain from riverside sites to lake-based recreation areas. Elevation in the region ranges from 1,200 to 1,300 feet above sea level, with sandy soil common at many campsites. Seasonal conditions vary dramatically, with summer daytime temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F while spring and fall nights can drop below 50°F.
What to do
Biking adventures: Crow Wing State Park provides direct access to the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail extending over 120 miles. According to a visitor at Crow Wing State Park Campground, "Great state campground, good hiking trails, Paul Bunyan Bike Trail passes through park(120 miles long). Crow Wing town site interesting."
Paddleboarding at Cuyuna: Located about 20-30 minutes from Brainerd, the Cuyuna mine lakes offer exceptional paddleboarding. A camper notes, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Rock Lake offers family-friendly fishing with abundant sunfish. One visitor to Rock Lake mentioned, "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."
Hiking historical trails: Several campgrounds feature educational hiking trails highlighting the area's history. A camper at Crow Wing State Park described, "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. Historic signs describing the old town are along the beginning part of the trail."
What campers like
Spacious, private campsites: Gull Lake Recreation Area offers exceptionally large sites. A visitor to Gull Lake Recreation Area reported, "This is an impressively well run campground nestled on both sides of the Gull River and on the shores of Gull Lake. The campsites are very large and impeccably maintained."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at many Brainerd area campgrounds. According to one review, "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. Very friendly staff."
Waterfront access: Many campers specifically seek sites with direct water access. A visitor to Baxter Canoe Camp shared, "We had a huge picnic table, and the tent pad was level! No joke...flat as a pancake and right on the river. There was another official site with a fire ring and picnic table, and there were also plenty of unofficial spaces."
Wildlife encounters: The Brainerd area offers opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. One camper reported, "Wildlife encounters are common. We did have a nighttime visitor in the form of something big and black and furry. We didn't see him (her?), but heard the sounds of a bear."
What you should know
Reservation timing: The best places to camp near Brainerd, Minnesota fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. For Gull Lake, a camper advised, "Book early on Recreation.gov - we reserved 6 months out for memorial weekend."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Brainerd, MN?
What are the best campgrounds in Brainerd, MN?
The Brainerd Lakes area offers several exceptional camping options. Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly rated for its spacious, private sites and is just a 10-minute drive from Brainerd. Cuyuna Range Campground provides wide sites with picnic tables and fire rings, nestled in the woods while still close enough to explore Brainerd. For RV enthusiasts, Minnesota National RV Park offers full hookup sites uniquely situated within a golf course. Each provides a different experience while serving as an excellent base for exploring the popular lakes and attractions of the Brainerd area.
What amenities are available at Crow Wing State Park campground?
What amenities are available at Crow Wing State Park campground?
Crow Wing State Park Campground offers a good mix of amenities for visitors. The park features spacious campsites, an amphitheater, riverside trails, and a group center. Bathroom facilities are well-maintained, and there's an electric site area, though it can get crowded during peak season. The park also contains historic sites to explore and is conveniently located just under two hours from the Twin Cities, making it perfect for weekend getaways. While it may not be ideal for extended stays, its proximity to Brainerd provides access to additional services when needed. The park's natural setting along the river creates a peaceful camping environment with opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation.
How do I find camping near Brainerd, MN?
How do I find camping near Brainerd, MN?
To find camping near Brainerd, start by exploring the surrounding lakes area which offers numerous options. Cross Lake Recreation Area provides a wooded camping experience despite being in the middle of Crosslake town, with access to Cross Lake and the Whitefish chain. For a unique experience, consider Baxter Canoe Camp, where you can wake up to the sounds of the Mississippi River. City parks like Crosby Memorial City Park offer convenient options with easy access to trails and recreation. Search online reservation systems for state parks and national forest campgrounds, or use The Dyrt to find and book campsites throughout the region.
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