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Legend
LegendPine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park
Amazing bike trails, really quiet but it is off season, surrounded by natural beauty
Tent Camping near Detroit Lakes, MN
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Detroit Lakes area in Minnesota features several remote tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Tent campsites range from primitive North Country Trail sites to cart-in spots at lakeside state park grounds, giving campers a genuine choice between backcountry solitude and more accessible settings. Specific tent sites include 400th Ave Camp on the North Country Trail, which provides a simple wilderness experience, and Beers Hike-In Site, a walk-in campsite with fishing access. Glendalough State Park Campground offers cart-in tent sites around Annie Battle Lake where no motorized boats are allowed, creating a quieter camping experience.
Most tent campsites near Detroit Lakes have basic fire rings with cooking grates, but amenities vary significantly between locations. The North Country Trail sites such as Flooded Woods Campsite and Old Headquarters Campsite provide primitive camping with fire rings, tent pads, and simple latrines but no drinking water. Campers must filter water from nearby lakes or carry in their own supply. These sites typically feature basic tent pads that may be uneven in spots, requiring careful tent placement. Most backcountry tent areas permit pets but require proper waste disposal and leashing.
The secluded nature of these tent sites offers peaceful camping away from crowded campgrounds. Tent pads are often set among pine or hardwood forests providing natural shade and hammock options at sites like Old Headquarters Campsite. Many backcountry tent locations near Detroit Lakes provide lakeside camping with fishing opportunities directly from camp. According to one visitor at Beers Hike-In Site, "The walk is an easy walk. There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site." Another camper noted that 400th Ave Camp is "close enough that you can leave non essentials in the car and run back for them if you need to," making it accessible for families new to backcountry tent camping while still providing a wilderness experience.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Detroit Lakes (26)
1. 400th Ave Camp
"So close to the parking area it's a breeze to get to, yet far enough away you'd never guess you were near your car (except for very occasional road noise). "
2. Meadow Lake Campsite
3. maplewood state park knoll campground
"Hiking trails are nearby and the new bike path thru the park is excellent."
4. Rose Shores Campground
5. Beers Hike-In Site
"The walk is an easy walk. There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site. Also there is a picnic table and a vault toilet. Surprisingly there was toilet paper there!"
Check Availabilityfrom $22 / night
6. Glendalough State Park Campground
"Went on the hiking club trail around Annie Battle Lake, most of it is even paved for biking or groomed for skiing."
"Lots of lakes, a mosaic of habitats from pine and aspen forest to maple and ash woodlands, to oak savannah, to fens and marshes and lakes and streams and prairie."
11 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 - $85 / night
7. Little Toad Lake Campgrounds
8. Flooded Woods Campsite
"Flooded woods campsite is a bit off the trail (the North Country Trail in MN), which is nice, but very well marked by a wooden sign with it's name carved in it. A 30 yard walk perhaps."
9. Shell Lake Resort and Campground
10. Old Headquarters Campsite
"It's not often you find a camp along the trail that's large, but this one is just that! About 50 yards off of the North Country Trail, it's well worth the hike to get into."
Drive Time
- 46 min from Fargo, ND
- 1 hr 48 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 2 hrs 11 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 3 hrs 22 min from Duluth, MN
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Detroit Lakes, MN
12 Photos of 26 Detroit Lakes Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Detroit Lakes, MN
311 Reviews of 26 Detroit Lakes Campgrounds
- RRobert P.
TravelerWagner Park
Very Nice - great sites, great kids play area… very clean .
We have 27’ travel trailer with 21’ pickup… stayed in the large tent area - level, treed, green grass, very clean!… $25.00/night.
John P.
Guidemaplewood state park knoll campground
Quiet luxury
The small knoll campground loop is a perfect quiet spot in the literal heart of Maplewood state park. Hiking trails are nearby and the new bike path thru the park is excellent.
elizabeth B.GuideHeiberg Park
Nice spot with electric hook-ups
$15/night with electric hook-ups. No water. There is a dump station in the nearby town hidden between two houses in the center of a residential block but it has no flushing water. River running by. There are about 6 sites.
Patrick W.GuideLake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
Lake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
*Can reach from North Country Trail
Backpack Site#5 is a peaceful, secluded campsite located on the shore of McKay Lake along the Deer Park Trail in Itasca State Park. The site is approximately 2.5 miles from the Aiton Fire Tower parking lot, making it a manageable hike while still providing the feeling of being well away from the busier areas of the park. The campsite has a beautiful lakeside setting, with the shore of McKay Lake only about 10 feet from the site. This makes it a great spot to relax by the water and enjoy the quiet surroundings. The site is equipped with a bear box and fire ring, along with a bucket for completely extinguishing your campfire. There is also a simple three-sided vault toilet nearby. Fallen trees and dead wood are abundant in the surrounding area, providing plenty of potential campfire wood where gathering is permitted. One unexpected bonus was finding a deck of cards in the bear box, a nice little addition for passing the time around camp after a day on the trail. Overall, Backpack Site#5 offers a great combination of accessibility and solitude. With a relatively short 2.5-mile hike, a campsite almost directly on McKay Lake, basic backcountry amenities, and plenty of surrounding forest, it is an excellent choice for an overnight backpacking trip in Itasca State Park.
Sacred E.GuideSmith Park Campground
Great little town camp spot
We are loving finding these sweet little campgrounds! This one is easy, has power and water for $15 a night, nice host, and a great little bakery just down the road.
- LLeonard N.Traveler
Delagoon Park Campground
City Owned Park and Campground (nicest one on our two week vacation)
Stayed on 07/18/26 1 night in our 30' RV pulling a motorcycle trailer, while traveling through on I94, without a reservation. It is 3-4 miles off the highway, and a little challenging to find (poor signage), but worth the effort. This is a city owned and operated park, and campground BUT, it is located on the outskirts of town on a very large parcel, with no nearby industrial, or residential neighbors. The access road from HWY 82 is 3/4 mile, and was rough in one 1/4 mile stretch (repaving pending). The campground was completely renovated, and reopened in 2026 (new sites, hookups, restroom/shower house). The rates have increased (we paid $56). The sites are large, level compacted gravel, with most three pull through sites. There were many trees removed during the renovation, limiting shade, and privacy, but allowing good views of Pebble Lake. Our Tuesday night stay was very quiet, with only a few other campers dispersed throughout the campground. There is a very nice playground for children, and walking/biking trails throughout the park, and a convenient dump station at the entrance. This isn't an "RV Resort", nor a "wilderness campground", but it is the nicest campground we stayed at during our two week vacation (and possibly ever). We would highly recommend Delagoon Campground to anyone visiting family or friends in the Fergus Falls area, or as a destination vacation campground. Wish we could have stayed longer!
Lindsey Z.
ScoutBear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park
Nice, great views
We stayed two nights at the Bear Paw Campground. It's right off the lake.
There were nice views.
The bathrooms were nice and clean, with more than enough showers and stalls and sinks for everyone.
The biggest downside was our actual spot 37E. It was very small, with only gravel/sand for any flat ground. We had to put our tent kinda in-between our spot and our neighbors'. I don't think that a full-size camper (either 5th wheel or travel trailer) and a truck would fit in the spot either.
A E.GuideHalverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake
Beautiful View of the Lake
I loved this spot!! I included an aerial view of where my chosen site was on the maps.
My only complaint was lots of people driving by in vehicles and ATVs, but that's a personal preference as I am trying to find some peace in solitude. I arrived on a Friday and left on a Tuesday. The weekend was the busiest, which was expected. A family used the campsite during the day to put their kayaks in the water. They were so sweet, and the kids even brought me back a boquet of flowers they picked. Another family showed up with some fourwheelers for a bit as well. Everyone I encountered was very friendly!
There are wild blackberries growing on site! And a bunny came by every single night to have dinner, and bunnies are a good sign for me.
AND there is an outhouse!! Directly across the road from the campsite is a slightly overgrown path. Follow that (not a very long walk), and bring your own toilet paper!
Guide to Detroit Lakes
Tent camping options around Detroit Lakes, Minnesota range from primitive wilderness sites to walk-in areas with basic amenities. The region sits at approximately 1,325 feet above sea level in west-central Minnesota, characterized by numerous lakes scattered throughout the area's glacial till plain. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with occasional thunderstorms creating muddy conditions on unpaved access trails.
What to do
Fishing from shore: At Beers Hike-In Site, campers can cast directly from their campsite. "There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site," notes reviewer Shawn A., who also mentions the site includes a picnic table and vault toilet.
Paddle pristine waters: Glendalough State Park Campground offers non-motorized lake activities. "No motors allowed on the lakes, so canoeing, kayaking and fishing are great," explains Dan C. The park also features "very clear and calm lakes, sandy, and the little creeks/rivers betwixt them are just begging to be canoed or kayaked," according to HollyRose M.
Hiking forest trails: The North Country Trail runs through several camping areas near Detroit Lakes. At Flooded Woods Campsite, "There is a lovely view of the 'water', but this time of year, when we were there, it was more swampy. Still a very pretty view though," says Amy G.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Flooded Woods Campsite sits slightly off the main trail, providing seclusion. "Flooded woods campsite is a bit off the trail (the North Country Trail in MN), which is nice, but very well marked by a wooden sign with it's name carved in it. A 30 yard walk perhaps. Some sites are right on the trail. This one is not, and it keeps it a bit more private," notes Amy G.
Hammock options: Old Headquarters Campsite offers excellent hammock camping. "We were super glad to find this site after about 12 miles on the trail. And even happier to see lots of tent trees! We had hammocks, and there were wonderful, huge pines without lower branches that made it super easy to hang from," writes Amy G.
Water proximity: Many Detroit Lakes tent sites feature lake views or direct water access. At Swan Lake Resort & Campground, "We only stayed here overnight but the sites were open and spacious. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Full hookups. Beautiful cabins. Beautiful lake views," says Tracy O.
What you should know
Water sources: Most backcountry tent sites near Detroit Lakes lack drinking water. At Old Headquarters Campsite, "It was just a short hike to the lake for water," notes Amy G., indicating campers need to filter lake water or bring their own supply.
Latrine conditions: Primitive toilets are available at most sites but vary in quality. At Flooded Woods Campsite, "There was a latrine too, but nothing to write home about," according to Amy G.
Seasonal changes: Swan Lake Resort & Campground offers year-round activities, but some water features are weather-dependent. "A little cold for us to try out the water amenities but we'll be back next year!" reports Gabe C.
Tips for camping with families
Easy access options: Short hiking distances make some sites perfect for families new to tent camping. "It's not often you find a camp along the trail that's large, but this one is just that! About 50 yards off of the North Country Trail, it's well worth the hike to get into. It could easily accommodate a small group of people that had a few tents and hammocks," writes Amy G. about Old Headquarters Campsite.
Kid-friendly parks: 400th Ave Camp provides an ideal introduction to wilderness camping for children. "Great place to camp with kiddos to get them used to the woods!" says Amy G., adding that it's "close enough that you can leave non essentials in the car and run back for them if you need to."
Educational opportunities: Glendalough State Park includes historical features alongside natural attractions. Pete T. notes, "We saw many deer, caught many pan fish and observed an eagle in it's nest... We can't wait to go back. It's more of a 'domestic park' than wilderness, but it is great for an easy, relaxing camping trip."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Though primarily a tent camping destination, some Detroit Lakes campgrounds accommodate RVs with spacious sites. At Swan Lake Resort & Campground, "Spaces are wooded and farther apart than most campgrounds," according to Amy J., making it suitable for those seeking privacy.
Seasonal occupancy: RV sites can fill quickly during peak summer months, especially at lake-adjacent campgrounds. "This campground is right by a lake with almost every activity you could think of!" notes Amy J., indicating its popularity.
Amenity access: Many RV-friendly campgrounds near Detroit Lakes provide upgraded facilities. Tracy O. reports that Swan Lake offers "Full hookups" alongside tent and cabin options, with "decent" bathrooms for all campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Detroit Lakes, MN?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Detroit Lakes, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Detroit Lakes, MN is 400th Ave Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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Detroit Lakes, MN?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Detroit Lakes, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Detroit Lakes, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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