Best Campgrounds near Crosby, MN

Camping opportunities around Crosby, Minnesota center on the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and nearby private campgrounds, with options ranging from rustic tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds and cabin rentals. True North Basecamp and Red Rider Resort offer tent camping, RV sites, and cabin accommodations with direct access to the area's renowned mountain biking trail system. The region includes multiple lakefront campgrounds with swimming beaches along former mine pits that have filled with crystal-clear water, creating unique camping experiences near world-class recreational opportunities.

Seasonal camping runs primarily from May through October, with most facilities closing for winter. Several campgrounds such as Crosby Memorial City Park operate from mid-May to mid-October, while a few private resorts like Red Rider Resort open earlier in spring. Camping infrastructure varies considerably, with True North Basecamp offering more rustic accommodations while places like Cuyuna Range Campground provide full hookups for RVs. Many campgrounds connect directly to the mountain biking trail system that draws visitors to the area. A visitor commented, "The campground is nice but mainly open and pretty close together, but the yurts are set on a beautiful old mine pit that is stocked with all kinds of trout."

Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers in the Crosby area, with several campgrounds situated on former mining pits that have transformed into clear, deep lakes. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area features yurts overlooking a trout pond, while Red Rider Resort and True North Basecamp both offer lakefront settings with swimming areas. Mountain biking access consistently appears in positive reviews, with many campgrounds providing direct trail connections to the Cuyuna trail system. One camper noted, "A great little campground right near town but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Situated right on a quarry with fun fishing and kayaking opportunities. Connects to the mountain bike trails too!" Downtown Crosby lies within walking or biking distance of several campgrounds, allowing easy access to restaurants, shops, and breweries after a day of outdoor recreation.

Best Camping Sites Near Crosby, Minnesota (157)

    1. True North Basecamp

    9 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    1 mile
    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."

    "Loved the proximity of True Nortb to both Crosby restaurants and bars and the incredible trails of Cuyuna Country. Lovely cabins for glamping with incredible views of Armour Mine 2."

    2. Red Rider Resort

    7 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    1 mile
    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. Cuyuna Range Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cuyuna, MN
    6 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."

    4. Cuyuna Country State Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Crosby, MN
    1 mile
    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."

    5. Crosby Memorial City Park

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

    "A little city campground in the heart of Crosby, MN. 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."

    6. Camp Holiday Resort and Campground

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

    $30 - $66 / night

    "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."

    7. Crow Wing State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    23 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. Mission Beach Resort

    2 Reviews
    Ironton, MN
    7 miles
    +1 (218) 765-3447

    "No tent sites available on the lake as those are reserved for rv, but the tent area is nice and wooded."

    9. Cuyuna City Campground

    1 Review
    Cuyuna, MN
    2 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. Cross Lake Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Pequot Lakes, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 290-5793

    $24 - $40 / night

    "This is a great campground in the Brainerd lakes area of Minnesota.it is right in the middle of the town of Crosslake but when you’re in the campground you feel like you’re out in the woods."

    "Could just be the current political budget restraints but I tent camped Gull Lake RA for four nights never saw a Ranger."

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Recent Reviews near Crosby, MN

313 Reviews of 157 Crosby Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake

    Crosslake MN COE campground

    This is a spacious campground with 123 sites, most with electricity, all wooded. The Lake is actually part of a string of lakes friendly to high speed motor boats as well as canoeing/kayaking. Like all other COE campgrounds, it honors campground passes, cutting the fees by half. A COE ranger patrols regularly. It of definitely dog friendly without breed or size restrictions. It is just north of Brainard, MN so civilization is nearby but the turn of Crosslake has All the amenities of city life. As with many other campgrounds, it's not busy Sunday-Thursday but gets much busier on weekend days. I would highly recommend this campground.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rum River State Forest

    Free parking in solitude.

    No potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park.

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Crosby

Camping near Crosby, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the scenic trails at Banning State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Great trails. We will try site 34 next time, nice location."
  • Fishing: The Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground is perfect for fishing enthusiasts. A reviewer said, "Good fishing lake," highlighting the area's appeal for anglers.
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: At Crow Wing State Park Campground, you can rent canoes and kayaks. One camper noted, "Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Crow Wing State Park Campground stated, "Very Clean men’s bathroom. One shower needs a new shower head."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like Gull Lake Recreation Area, offer roomy sites. A visitor shared, "The sites are spacious and most are quite private!"
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Savanna Portage State Park Campground said, "Savanna portage is gorgeous with serene lakes and some nice hiking!"

What you should know

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A camper at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park warned, "The trails are probably not maintained because it was so wet but they were almost impossible to hike on simply because of the amount of mosquitoes."
  • Water Access: Some campgrounds, like Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground, do not have water hookups. A visitor mentioned, "There are no water hookups at the sites so be sure to fill up when you arrive."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have markets or stores nearby. A review for Stony Point noted, "They are not mowing the campsites creating a huge mosquito problem along with eliminating areas where children can play."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that are spacious and have easy access to amenities. A family at Crow Wing Lake Campground enjoyed, "Each site has a table and fire pit."
  • Bring Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a problem, so pack plenty of bug spray. A camper at Savanna Portage State Park Campground advised, "Mosquitoes are brutal here."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities for kids. One visitor at Father Hennepin State Park Campground mentioned, "Trails, town which has a grocery store, place to wash clothes."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Crow Wing State Park Campground noted, "Some sites (12e) are hard to back a trailer into."
  • Use Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground, offer electric hookups. A camper shared, "RV site had 30amp with FHU’s."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Keep noise levels down to respect other campers. A visitor at Stony Point mentioned, "No issues with neighbors being noisy other than a yapping dog."

Camping near Crosby, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Crosby, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Crosby, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 157 campgrounds and RV parks near Crosby, MN and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Crosby, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Crosby, MN is True North Basecamp with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Crosby, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Crosby, MN.

What parks are near Crosby, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Crosby, MN that allow camping, notably Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake and Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake.