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Best Tent Camping near Crosby, MN

278 Reviews

Waterways and state forests surrounding Crosby, Minnesota provide numerous tent camping opportunities, particularly along the Mississippi River and Crow Wing River water trails. Tent-only sites like Baxter Canoe Camp and Overlook Park Canoe Campsite offer secluded camping experiences with basic amenities. The Canoe Landing Campsite at Crow Wing State Park, located about 20 miles southwest of Crosby, features well-maintained tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables. For those seeking more established tent campgrounds, Ogechie Campground in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park provides walk-in tent sites with access to extensive hiking trails.

Most primitive tent sites in the region feature level ground with soft, natural surfaces ideal for tent setup. Fire rings are common at designated sites, though firewood availability varies significantly. Vault toilets are present at larger campgrounds and some water access sites, but drinking water is limited. Campers should prepare for minimal facilities at backcountry tent camping locations, particularly at watercraft-accessible sites like Half Moon and Little Pine. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable tent camping conditions, as summer brings heavy mosquito activity. According to visitors at Ogechie Campground, summer campers should expect significant insect pressure, with one camper reporting "at least 100 bites after our trip."

Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for water recreation and hiking. At Baxter Canoe Camp, visitors appreciate the level tent pads positioned directly on the riverbank. One camper noted the site offers "more amenities than most campgrounds I've paid to stay in," including trash collection, pit toilets, and ample firewood. The South Bend Watercraft Site provides tent campers with "cleared grassy soft spots great for a tent" and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Walk-in tent sites at Ogechie Campground offer more seclusion than drive-in areas, with campers reporting that choosing sites "at the bottom of the hill away from everyone" provides the most privacy. Most tent-only campgrounds remain peaceful even on weekends due to their remote locations or boat-in access requirements.

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Best Tent Sites Near Crosby, Minnesota (28)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Crosby, MN

10 Photos of 28 Crosby Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Crosby, MN

278 Reviews of 28 Crosby Campgrounds

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2018

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Ranger Review of Alki Twilight Thermal Mattress Topper at Father Hennepin State Park, MN

    I've been to campgrounds in MN and other places that were nicer, but there isn't anything wrong with this campground at all. And at this time of year, the ice on the lake was breaking up, so it made for a beautiful sunset! Since it is still that time of year when it's warm during the day and cool at night, it was the perfect chance to test out the Twilight Thermal Mattress Topper by Alki while staying at Father Hennepin State Park in MN.

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

    We've been to this campground before, but not during this season or time of year. The campground is nice, but not terribly fancy. What it does have going for it is that it's a decent bit off the road, so there isn't much road noise. And although all the sites are fairly close together, there are tons of trees that (if it were summer) offer a buffer between them. It's possible to car camp at these sites or tent camp. They also have RV sites. Unfortunately, the RV sites are pretty close to the others, so if there are parties going on or radios playing, everyone can hear them, but that is to be expected at a campground where sites are close together. It wasn't terribly bothersome, though, and the scenery outweighed the mild disturbance.

    They do have showers and flush toilets (during warmer seasons) and vault toilets the rest of the time. There is also a dump station for RVs.

    Many of the sites are lakeside, for no additional cost. Benches dot the lakeside, and you get a gorgeous site of the sunset from here. There is also a paved path that runs near the water, so it's a pretty stroll late in the eve. This leads to a floating dock (not floating this time of year, though, because of the ice). Pretty space to chill and take in the breeze.

    PRODUCT REVIEW:

    As a Ranger for They Dyrt, I have the amazing opportunity to review incredible products in exchange for an honest review. This time, I received a Twilight Thermal Mattress Topper by Alki in a queen size. This is the first time I've ever tried something like this, so when I found it on Kickstarter, I was intrigued. The idea of a thermal layer built into a quilt-like blanket (think about the silver reflective stuff that everyone who camps talks about). But this isn't your typical mylar-type foil sheet. It's quiet. It's soft. It makes absolutely no noise at all. Now, this isn't something you are going to put in a backpack because it's big and it's not going to fit the bill of the ultralight hiker, but that's not what it's meant for. I emailed with the owners of the company and they intended it to be an addition to a car camping excursion or used on a bed as extra insurance from the night air. So I was intrigued. We are getting a teardrop trailer soon and I thought it might be a great way to stay warm without adding a heater to the mix.

    The owners, Saul and Carolyn, have created this super soft blanket-type mattress topper that can be used several ways. You can put it on the mattress directly and sleep on top of it. You can use it as a blanket, you could wrap up in it and make a mock sleeping bag. It's a microsuede type of fabric on top and feels amazing, but has a brushed polyester bottom that helps to keep it from slipping off your pad. I'm a cold sleeper, so I really wanted to give it a good test. Normally, I use a sleeping pad with an R Value of 4.4 or better so that I don't chill out in the night. This time, I decided to use a pad with an R Value of 1.9 (thank you to my husband for sacrificing his pad). Normally, I'd be frozen from the backside, even in temps that are in the 40's. So I put down my pad in the van, laid the topper over the pad, and then my bag on top of that. And then I was off to la-la land.

    The verdict…a toasty back side. It was truly wonderful to sleep in cooler weather without the typical CBS (cold butt syndrome) that campers talk about. Normally, with a pad that was only 1.9, I'd be frozen from the pad side. And that means tossing and turning all night to figure out how to stay warm. But I didn't have any cold spots from the pad side while sleeping on this topper. I just wish I'd thought to wrap it over my bag as well to insulate from the top as well. Then, I would have had the perfect night of sleep! It reflects back your own body heat to help keep you toasty.

    PROS:

    1. Super soft fabric! It has a great feel against your skin.
    2. No noise! Even though it has similar thermal properties as the crinkly mylar-type blankets, this is absolutely not the same. It feels just like a blanket.
    3. It works! Coming from me (a cold sleeper), I feel like this would be a great addition to your camping arsenal so that you can have a better night of sleep without needing a ton of expensive gear to stay warm.
    4. Machine washable!

    There really isn't anything negative to say about this blanket. Now, it does weigh more than a regular thermal blanket (queen is 4.5 pounds, and twin is 3 pounds), but they don't advertise it as ultra light or for backpacking. Carolyn said that it was designed with car camping in mind, as mentioned before. That said, it works beautifully for that purpose! It would be lovely if they'd consider making a skinny version that would fit in a hammock or under a sleeping bag/pad. As a cold sleeper, I'd seriously consider adding it to my cold weather backpack supplies, even if it meant an extra pound of weight.

    Bottom line, if you want to enjoy a good night sleep in the chilly night air while car camping with your family or friends, take this topper for a spin. It's perfect under a sleeping bag, over a sleeping bag or to snuggle while watching the autumn sunset.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2025

    Dower Lake Recreation Area

    Swimming!

    offers 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.

  • Makayla B.
    Oct. 7, 2020

    True North Basecamp

    Lake cabins and tent sites

    I've stayed in both the cabins and the camping area. 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. The campground is nice but only has a primitive toilet adjacent to the campsites. There are no electric or sewer hookups, but there are a couple of tent sites than can accommodate small campers. I camped in site #18 and it either isn't very level or I just did a poor job of setting up my tent because we were slanted all night. Great stargazing at both the cabins and the tent sites. 

    Check-in information is shared via email (key codes for the bathhouse and the cabin locks). The emails are very informative and the owners have been prompt to reply when I had questions. They even offer up the option to have firewood delivered to your site (either cabin or tent site) before you arrive.

    This is my favorite place to stay in Crosby because it's so close to both the Rally Center Trailhead and Crosby. My favorite places in town are Red Raven (great coffee shop with good breakfast and lunch food options), Crosby Pub (wide variety of food - burgers, salads, appetizers), Rafferty's Pizza (pizza and beer plus a couple of arcade games in the back), and Iron Range Eatery (a little fancier than Crosby Pub (but not by much) and offers great food as well). All of these restaurants offer outdoor seating.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 17, 2024

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Winter camping- very quiet with the electric hookups

    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. Making it easy for RVs to pull in and hook up.

    The vault toilet is not easy to find from where the electric openings are in the winter. While these spaces are right next door to a shower house with toilets, this is closed in the winter. The vault toilet is several rows over and down, making it hard to find if you don't already know where it is. But it was clean, and it was available.

    The campfire rings seemed clean, and each had a picnic table as well. We loved 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.

    There are trails nearby that are easily accessible on foot from the campground, and you can make loops that come back to the campground as well.

    There are two campgrounds at this park, but this is the one that has availability in the winter time. Ironically, they also have a couple of walk-in spots that are also open this time of year. If you're willing to brave the temps without an electric hookup. Not hard to find, not hard to access, but no electric hookups at these sites.

  • ERolf P.
    Sep. 23, 2016

    Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground

    Canoe Camp

    This is one of the most beautiful campsites we have stayed at in the midwest. The canoe campsite (also accessible through cart-in) is located on a small creek just off of the Mississippi river. There is a fire ring, picnic table, and ample tent space. There is about a 500yd walk to the restrooms, and you have to go another 500yds to the main campground to find the showers. We camped in mid-September, and the water to the main campground had already been turned off for the winter, so no shower review. The bathrooms near the cart-in sites were well maintained and clean, flush toilets. There was drinking water access near the old WPA water tower (but the water came from the city, not the well and water tower). We had some rain, but the sandy soil mean things drained quickly and were nearly dry in the morning. Lots of neat hiking trails within this small park, and a Minnesota Historical Society Site across the road at the Charles A. Lindbergh historic site (his boyhood home).

  • HollyRose M.
    Dec. 14, 2020

    Overlook Park Canoe Campsite

    Watercraft Site on the Mississippi - Spacious & Maintained!

    This hidden gem is on the Mississippi water trail around mile 996. It is called "Overlook Park" and owned/maintained by the city of Baxter, but is part of the DNR's state water trail. There is even signage for those on the river to inform them about their whereabouts on the trail when they pass this park. 

    So although this is a little private city park, there is a specific spot RIGHT on the river with a picnic table, fire ring, and nice high ground soft space for a tent. But really you could tent it anywhere in the park, but this space is set aside a bit from the rest, as it is a city park although very little traffic. There is garbage and a vaulted toilet. There are three picnic tables throughout including the tent site, and two fire rings. There is a nice canoe landing area with a few stairs to help give access up and down from the river bank. Very pretty spot on the river! The opposite land bordering this city park is part of Crow Wing State Park, so even though it's close to town, it does feel fairly remote. 

    Such a well maintained park! Pretty views and some rugged trails along the river for some hiking as well.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2023

    Mabel Lake Campground

    Nice standard USFS campground

    Nice basic standard USFS campground in the Chippewa NF.

    $14/night, self pay, no reservations, no host. There’s a vault toilet on site and a pump-handle water faucet. No trash service here, please pack out. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Mosquitos were brutal here! 

    Surprised to have ok (not great) verizon and ATT service here. 

    A little ways from the campground is the day use picnic area and boat ramp. You can walk along the main road or take a little connecting trail to it, but just a heads up that the mosquitoes are lying in wait in this trail. We decided to go for it and try out the trail (instead of walking back out to the main road), quickly regretting it and almost running through the whole thing to come out the other side (entrance to trail is near campsite 21). 

    Campsites were decent, not very private, and some were oddly shaped where you just pull onto the grass, with no clear driveway or parking area. But they were fine.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2019

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Ranger Review of OOFOS shoes at Father Hennepin State Park in MN

    While I have seen parks and campsites with more privacy, there are so many trees (and many sites with a lake view) that it's worth a stay at Father Hennepin State Park in MN. Especially if you are rocking out with a pair of OOFOS flipflops!

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

    We've stayed at this campground a few times before, and it should seem obvious that since we keep coming back, it's not too shabby. Yes, I've seen campgrounds that have more privacy between spaces, but I don't think this place is every terribly crowded (at least not when we visit, in May). The leaves are just beginning to bud on the trees, so there is less coverage from your neighbors than in the heat of the summer, but since there are less campers, you can spread out a little bit. My only complaint, and this is the same of previous years here, is that the electric sites are so close to the tent sites that you can generally hear the generators and/or those that think that the wilderness is for loud music dance parties. Fortunately, this time, we were in our new teardrop camper and could shut out the tunes!

    We were at site 7, which was the last one in this campground that sits and faces the lake. And while we've been to this site before, it's the first time we've been in our Teardrop Trailer at this park. Lucky for us, the ice was gone and the wind was pretty calm, so the icy chill wasn't too bad. Each site has a fire ring with a grate that swings back and forth, depending on if you want to chill by the flames, or grill off some burgers. The site we had was fairly level. and provided ample space to park our teardrop and our car without hanging out into the road. A picnic table rounded out the scene to provide a full on camping experience. And lovely night sounds of frogs that sang us to sleep!

    There are well over a hundred sites, about 100 of them tent pads (no electric), and about 50 with electric. A few group campsites as well as 4 handicapped sites.There are 2 shower houses, 2 flush toilet buildings, vault toilets scattered around and water (in season, when it's turned on).

    In Minnesota, reservations are required. We've found that if you make them in advance, and then decide to cancel the day of the reservation, there are cancellation fees and first night fees and blah blah blah. If, however, you decide to take your chances and book it the "day of", there are no online reservation fees and you can cancel without penalty if you decide to go elsewhere.

    Drive in sites are approximately $23/night. Electric are about $34/night.

    PRODUCT REVIEW:

    Now, I have to admit, I'm an OOFOS junkie. Ever since I won a pair in my very firsts campground contest. That said, I'll never pass up the chance to review another pair! This time, I had the OOFOS Women's OOriginal Sandal. The last pair I had was a light color, and I loved the shoes, but they got dirty so quickly. Since these shoes are a type of foam, they scuff and dirty a little easier than other shoes, but the comfiness of them is off the chart, so they are totally worth having in other colors! This time, I chose black, to combat and dirt issues I might have while camping. If you can't see the dirt, it's not there, right?

    OOFOS are recovery shoes, and I didn't know what that meant at first, but just wait until you put them on at the end of a hard day on your feet (long work day, long hike, etc). They literally massage the sole of your foot. I'm not joking. I can't believe how my feet feel when I change shoes. If I listen veeeeeery carefully, I can hear my feet smiling! They are sort of spongy and squishy, but not in a strange way. Like walking on marshmallows! (but not sticky). Seriously, they cushioning, higher arch and wide fashion of the shoe (yes, it's a little chunkier, not a huge fashion statement) make it stable and comfy. They hug your feet and don't slip off the way some other "slippy" flipflops can. And so lightweight! The price is a little more than I normally pay for shoes, but I'd absolutely invest in another pair if this one wears out. The bottom has some fun grippy texture that looks as if it might channel away water if you stepped in a puddle.

    Quite frankly, as long as I have my OOFOS, I don't care what campground I'm staying at, but this one is good enough that I enjoy staying a little while, to look at the lake and enjoy the singing frogs!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2018

    Rock Lake

    Hidden gem for rustic camping!

    This campground is really a hidden gem that i never knew about even though it is within an hour drive of my home. It is a rustic state forest campground with great campsites located in a gorgeous oak-birch-pine forest and right on a pretty lake. Although the campsites are karge enough to accomodate RVs, there are no hookups and no amenities like a bath house, so the campground favors tent campers. Many of the sites are right on the lake, including oarking space, tent pad, fire ring and picnic table, and each of these have a small lake access for swimming or launching a canoe or kayak. There is also a day use area with beach and boat launch, plus a nice nature trail. You can enjoy a quiet family weekend in the deep woods here, but still pop into the town of Pillager which is only 10 miles away. Well kept, quiet and peaceful

Guide to Crosby

Tent camping around the Crosby area centers on waterway access points along the Mississippi and Pine River water trails. The region sits at the intersection of several Minnesota watersheds and hosts camping options that typically range from 1,100 to 1,200 feet in elevation. Most primitive watercraft sites remain remote and uncrowded with natural protection against the area's frequent summer storms, particularly important when water levels fluctuate during seasonal rainfall patterns.

What to do

Hiking observation points: At Ogechie Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, visitors can access extensive trail networks surrounding Mille Lacs Lake. "There is a fire tower you can climb," notes camper Mary K., providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Another visitor, Anne G., confirms the area has "lots of trails, close fishing, and an awesome lookout tower."

Paddling water trails: The Pine River Water Trail offers excellent kayaking opportunities with gradual current and sandy beaches. The South Bend Watercraft Site makes an ideal stop approximately "an hour and a half - two hours downstream from the Pine River Damn access," according to HollyRose M., who also notes "we saw so much wildlife on this kayak trip, and enjoyed a great swim in the river."

Wildlife observation: Several watercraft sites provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, especially during morning and evening hours. Many campers report seeing beaver, deer, eagles and various bird species. "We had a nighttime visitor in the form of something big and black and furry," reports Amy G. at Baxter Canoe Camp, though she clarifies the bear "never threatened."

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: Tent campers appreciate the privacy found at many watercraft sites. Jordan L. describes choosing a spot at Ogechie "at bottom of hill away from everyone. It was nice and secluded."

Natural swimming areas: The region's water access campsites often feature swimming opportunities right from camp. At South Bend Watercraft Site, the river is "never super deep or too strong a current, and in front of this site it's sandy and great swimming!"

Level tent areas: Campers consistently mention the quality of tent sites throughout the region. HollyRose M. reports "a couple cleared grassy soft spots great for a tent" at South Bend Watercraft Site, while the Overlook Park Canoe Campsite offers "a nice high ground soft space for a tent."

What you should know

Seasonal wildlife concerns: Beyond mosquitoes, wildlife encounters require preparation. At Ogechie Campground, Annie V. warns about persistent mice problems: "They got into plastic bins, duffel bags, backpacks, stuff sacks, etc. Their nasty little feces were found in food, on towels, in the cab, in the bed, in ONE OF MY HIKING BOOTS!!!!"

Cell service variability: Mobile coverage varies significantly across the best tent camping near Crosby, Minnesota. While South Bend Watercraft Site has "cell phone service out there," coverage can be spotty at other primitive sites, especially during stormy weather conditions.

Toilet facilities: Restroom access varies widely. Baxter Canoe Camp features "an outhouse style building with a pit toilet and...a urinal," while many watercraft sites have no facilities whatsoever. Overlook Park provides "garbage and a vaulted toilet" despite its remote location.

Tips for camping with families

Choose parks with interpretive programs: The Canoe Landing Campsite at Crow Wing State Park offers educational opportunities beyond basic camping. "In the regular season there are naturalists programs," notes Janet R., plus families can "visit and learn about the historic townsite and the Red River Oxcart Trail."

Consider multi-access sites: Some campsites allow both water and land access, beneficial for families with different arrival methods. Brittany explains her family found Crow Wing's canoe site while "bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark."

Pack insect protection: The region's waterway campsites experience significant insect pressure, particularly for families with children. Multiple campers recommend visiting in spring or fall instead of summer when possible, as the mosquito population decreases dramatically with cooler temperatures.

Tips from RVers

Use tent-only areas as day-trip destinations: Most premium camping near Crosby limits RV access, but tent campers staying at developed campgrounds can use these areas as paddling destinations. The Baxter Canoe Camp is "absolutely worth a day trip" according to Amy G., who notes its riverfront location makes an ideal stop during paddling excursions from nearby RV-accessible campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

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