RV camping options near Cotton, Minnesota include both seasonal and year-round facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area sits within the Arrowhead region at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 feet, characterized by mixed forests of birch, pine and aspen. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer camping season typically runs May through October with occasional frost even in June.
What to do
Fishing access: Trout Lake Campground provides direct lake access with bass and walleye fishing opportunities. "We spent many hours paddling the lake and had great luck catching bass and walleye. Apparently, the lake is well-known for its fishing in the area," notes Nancy W.
Paddling options: Red Pine Campground features small lakes and ponds with watercraft available for camper use. "There was some water craft that could be utilized by campers," mentions Sam C. who stayed at Red Pine.
Mountain biking: Use campgrounds as base camps for regional trail systems. "Stayed here for two nights in tents. Used it as a base camp while me and some friends were mountain biking RedHead Mountain and Tioga over the weekend," reports Jake about his experience at Trout Lake Campground.
Urban exploration: DECC/Amsoil Arena RV Parking provides urban camping within walking distance to Duluth attractions. "Lots to do in this cute town, lots of walking around and hanging out with tourists. These types of places are always a treat for me, since we don't tow a car," shares Laura M.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer generously sized sites that provide privacy. "Ogston RV Park is a great campground, it's like a little slice of heaven with wide open spaces. The space between campsites is impressive, lots of room to walk, roam, stretch," reports Lucas P. about what is now Red Pine Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance standards vary across the region. "This campground is extremely clean and charming! Has everything!" notes Ioan P. about Red Pine Campground.
Lake amenities: Some properties offer swimming areas and boat access. "The campground has a swim beach which is a big attraction for kids. You can also launch a kayak or canoe there or use the concrete public boat launch right next to the campground," writes Nancy W. about Trout Lake Campground.
Flexible off-season options: Some RV parks accommodate late-season campers with reduced services. "I came in late October. As are most of the campsites in upper Minnesota this time of year, the owner told me they were closed. But he was happy to let me stay overnight for a reduced off-season fee," reports David T. about Trout Lake Campground.
What you should know
Train and road noise: Several campgrounds experience transportation noise. "This is a city environment so you'll definitely have road noise, train noise, and drunken fools on weekend nights," mentions Laura M. about DECC/Amsoil Arena RV Parking.
Limited bathrooms: Some facilities have restricted shower access. "There are 2 sets of primitive bathrooms within the grounds and another standard bathroom with showers underneath the house by the beach area," notes Jaime M. about Trout Lake Campground.
Seasonal closures: Most RV campgrounds near Cotton, Minnesota close during winter months. "The campground is next to a busy road so if you're looking for peace and quiet you will not get it here," adds Jaime M. about their Trout Lake Campground experience.
Varying cell service: Internet access differs between parks. "AT&T had 4 bars of LTE and Verizon 3 bars of LTE service. AT&T Fast.com: 1.5 Mbps down, 5.0 Mbps up. Verizon Fast.com: 190 kbps down, 9.5 Mbps up," reports David B. about Spirit Lake RV and Marina.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas. "The park has a swim beach which is a big attraction for kids," notes Nancy W. about Trout Lake Campground.
Game amenities: Some campgrounds provide entertainment options. "There are movies, books, and games you can borrow, happy hour every Wednesday, potlucks through our week," mentions Lucas P. about Red Pine Campground.
Playground access: Limited playground facilities exist at some properties. "There are a couple of ponds at which people fish and a couple of small playground areas," shares Carol W. about West 40 RV Park.
Off-road vehicle access: Certain campgrounds provide access to recreational vehicle trails. "Owners were great and really helpful. Close to the off road vehicle park. Definitely camping here again next summer!" reports Paul S. about West 40 RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites require adjustment. "Site was gravel and a little un-level, but nothing extreme," notes Sam C. about Red Pine Campground.
Dump station challenges: Some facilities have awkward dump station configurations. "Dump station was a challenge with RV and a blue boy. To dump RV you most likely need to turn around and back in," explains Sam C. about Park Lake RV Campground.
Hookup placement: Utility connections sometimes appear in unexpected locations. "The 30 amp electrical and water hookups were nice however they were on the wrong side of the pad which we thought was odd," reports Jaime M. about Trout Lake Campground.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant storms that can impact RV camping. "Severe weather rolled in on our last night and things got pretty scary. We thought at one point that we might tip over from high winds," warns Sam C. about Spirit Lake RV and Marina.