The Crosby, Minnesota area offers diverse wilderness camping opportunities in the heart of Minnesota's lake country. Located in Crow Wing County at approximately 1,260 feet elevation, this former mining region features a mix of deciduous forests and reclaimed mine pits transformed into recreation areas. Seasonal temperature swings range from below-freezing winters to warm summers with peak camping season running May through September.
What to do
Trail riding on horseback: The Walter E Stark Horse Campground in Pillsbury State Forest offers extensive riding opportunities. "We walked some trails and went up to lost lake...Loads of raspberries along the road so we stopped in the shade and had a couple snacks. Lots of trails to hike and ride in the area and plenty of signs to warn you not to spook the horses which I think is good."
Paddleboard on mine lakes: The reclaimed mining pits provide calm waters for paddling. "I was looking to take a solo camping trip for the weekend and paddleboard on the Cuyuna Mine Lakes. 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," notes a visitor at Crow Wing State Park.
Historic site exploration: "Crow Wing town site interesting. Sites pretty close together," mentions a camper. The park features informational plaques describing life in the 1890s along well-marked trails that connect to the larger regional trail network.
What campers like
River access: Campers appreciate waterfront sites along the Mississippi. "Set on the Upper Mississippi this was well worth the 8 Mile detour off the main east/west route through MN. History, hiking, biking, fishing and boating here. We grabbed a site just above the river. So peaceful and quiet."
Winter camping options: For those visiting during colder months, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park provides year-round accommodations. "This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping. The beauty of this campground, is that while the campsites available are in a row, there's plenty of space between sites and some of them are even pulled through."
Wildlife viewing: "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. Then the 2nd a little guy was hanging around our site all day," reports a camper at Mille Lacs Kathio, highlighting the park's active wildlife.
What you should know
Insect conditions: Prepare for seasonal bugs, especially during peak summer. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" warns one Crow Wing visitor. Another camper at Father Hennepin State Park noted, "We were really excited about our luck finding a practically empty state park in July for a Thursday impromptu camping trip. Before we even stopped the car the deer flies were pelting the windows. Hundreds. I wish I was exaggerating."
Site privacy varies: "While they have lots of sites, it is a State Park. That means that they are close together," reports a Crow Wing camper. For more seclusion, consider walk-in sites: "Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is large and welcoming... The sites are large and spaced decently from each other."
Limited facilities at horse campgrounds: The equestrian areas offer basic amenities. "It is a primitive campground with running water out of spigots and vault toilets. Some excess firewood in the middle and plenty of space for your horses. The hitching posts were mostly in the shade but not all were."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Father Hennepin State Park offers family-friendly facilities. "There is a nice big sandbox for the kids that has sand toys to play with," notes a visitor. Another mentions, "The park hosts various seminars throughout the week. There are several places to swim and a big playground for the little ones."
Educational opportunities: "The Interpretive Center gave you a really good glimpse into the wildlife and history of the area, as well as provided an assortment of activities," shares a camper about Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, making it ideal for educational family camping.
Ranger interaction: "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," reports a visitor at Crow Wing, highlighting the attentive park staff.
Tips from RVers
Winter hookup availability: For cold-weather camping, electric sites remain available at select locations. "The pull-through site because then we were a little more protected from the road, although it's not busy this time of year at all. So it was very quiet except for our neighbors, and they didn't make much noise at all."
Site selection for larger rigs: The Equestrian Campground at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park accommodates bigger vehicles. Sites are designed with sufficient turning radius for horse trailers, making them suitable for larger RVs as well.
Sanitation facilities: "The electric site area isn't super awesome, as it gets crowded and is more like a huge group camp. But the rest are way more private," notes a regular visitor to the horse campgrounds near Crosby, Minnesota. Plan accordingly if privacy is a priority.
