Detroit Lakes, Minnesota offers numerous camping options surrounding its 412 lakes within a 25-mile radius. The region features elevations ranging from 1,300-1,600 feet with glacial hills and mixed forest ecosystems. Summer temperatures typically range between 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through August, with higher humidity levels often bringing afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Beach swimming and recreation: Country Campground provides easy access to water activities with "two playgrounds in a field. Chipper golf, ladder golf, horseshoes, basket ball & volleyball courts," as Joshua G. mentions. The camp also offers indoor recreation options including "a rec room that has pool table, foosball, ping pong and shuffleboard."
Hiking trail exploration: The North Country Trail offers extensive hiking options near several campgrounds. Will H. notes that Maplewood State Park Campground is "easily a contender for best hiking trails in the MN state parks state system. This western park offers miles of hiking with the North Country Trail weaving throughout." Families can enjoy "lots of walking trails as some fishing spots as well," according to Leslie R.
Fall foliage viewing: Schedule autumn trips for spectacular color displays. Charles H. describes Maplewood State Park as "Imaculate" and recommends visitors "Visit in the fall," while Denise D. highlights the "Lots of maple tree's red,orange colors in fall" that make the area a scenic destination for September and October camping trips.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Buffalo River State Park Campground offers well-designed sites where "half the loop backing up against the prairie (lower numbers) and the other half backing up against the woods (higher numbers). Well spaced sites, with some screening between sites," according to Patrick M. The campground features "spacious and nicely kept" sites with convenient access to facilities.
Swimming areas: Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort earns praise for its "Large sandy beach and beautiful swimming area," with Travis L. noting the "huge parking and play area for kids." Shari M. adds that "it has a long strip of a beach but spaces are close. Lots of boats on the beach!"
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained nature of local campgrounds. StaceeQ Q. describes Buffalo River State Park as "the best kept state park I have seen" with "not a scrap of trash the restrooms clean and well stocked." Karen & John L. found Country Campground to have "bathrooms are sparking clean" with hosts who are "very friendly and helpful."
What you should know
Bug activity: Prepare for seasonal insect populations, particularly in mid-summer. Sophia P. warns that at Buffalo River State Park there are "tons of mosquitos though make sure you have spray" even though the campsite itself was "spacious and nicely kept."
Connectivity options: The Wilds Resort & Campground and other locations offer varying levels of cell service and WiFi. Lee G. notes that at Long Lake Campsite they "worked full time from a spot by the main office and their onsite WiFi was pretty fast ~50/10 mbps." In contrast, many more remote camping areas have limited or no connectivity.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Detroit Lakes region require advance booking during peak summer months (June-August). Country Campground's 30 full-hookup sites fill quickly according to multiple reviews, while Buffalo River's electric sites should be reserved well in advance for weekend stays.
Tips for camping with families
Rustic camping options: For families wanting a more primitive experience, Valhalla Resort offers a back-to-basics approach. Paula P. shares that "We go tenting here. It's our favorite place so far. It's very rustic and lovely." Lacie B. adds that the "Friendly family owned" resort provides a "Rustic, primitive, and beautiful!" experience.
Beginner-friendly sites: The 400th Ave Camp along the North Country Trail provides an ideal introduction to camping for families with young children. Amy G. describes it as "a glorious little site nested in the trees" that's "close enough to the parking area it's a breeze to get to" yet feels secluded, making it "a great place to camp with kiddos to get them used to the woods!"
Kid-friendly amenities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Detroit Lakes feature playgrounds and recreational facilities. At Country Campground, James notes it's "Very Clean, very friendly" with a "Game room with pool, shuffle board, ping pong and more," making it ideal for families with children of various ages.
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: Country Campground receives consistent praise for its site quality with Marilyn mentioning "Green grass on our site while the table sits on a concrete slab. Gravel for 5th wheel and truck to sit on." The campground provides "Beautiful mature trees providing shade" that are "Well trimmed so no worries of tearing the awning."
Accessibility considerations: Douglas B. notes that Long Lake Campsite-RV Resort "probably has 20% more trailers in place than need be. Over-crowded" but adds that "If you are a family w little kids, it could be great." Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Detroit Lakes vary in spacing and privacy levels for RVs.
Off-peak advantages: Campers report significant differences in crowding and atmosphere during weekdays versus weekends. Delanie J. describes Buffalo River State Park as having "Great facilities, a nice state park close to Fargo" that's particularly peaceful during off-peak times when the campground is less crowded.
