Campgrounds near Finlayson, Minnesota sit in the transition zone between the northern coniferous forests and southern deciduous woodlands, creating diverse habitats for wildlife observation. This area experiences significant seasonal changes, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F and winter lows frequently below 0°F. Campsites in this region typically offer more seclusion during weekdays, with Friday and Saturday nights seeing higher occupancy rates.
What to do
Hiking at St. Croix State Park: Explore Minnesota's largest state park with over 34,000 acres and numerous hiking options. "This park has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more," notes one visitor at Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park.
Canoeing on the Kettle River: Rent canoes from local outfitters for day trips on the scenic Kettle River. "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend," shares a camper who stayed at St. Croix State Park.
Rock scrambling at Jay Cooke State Park: Climb on the sculpted rock formations along the river. A visitor at Jay Cooke State Park Campground reports, "I spent a day trip with friends at Jay Cook. The water levels were low, so we clambered around on the sculpted granite rocks that line the river and falls, dipping on and out of pools and up slick rock faces."
Stargazing opportunities: Several parks in the area offer designated stargazing spots away from light pollution. "The star gazing area was great," mentions a reviewer at Wild River State Park, noting the clear night skies in this region.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature secluded sites with natural separation. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," explains a camper at Wild River State Park Campground.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to campers with pets. At Banning RV Park and Campground, "The fenced in dog park was a big bonus for our pup. The grounds hosted outdoor games and volleyball/basketball courts," mentions one reviewer who appreciated the pet facilities.
Easy access to Interstate 35: Many camping options provide convenient highway access for weekend trips. "It's very nice with beautiful views of the water. I will say that ticks have been a issue on my dogs. Other then that love it!" notes a camper at Willow River, highlighting both the natural beauty and practical considerations.
Clean shower facilities: Modern bathhouses with hot showers are available at several sites. A visitor at Spirit Mountain Campground explains, "The bathrooms weren't kept up well but were ok. Banning State Park is really close and is very nice. We also drove up to Duluth on two of the days."
What you should know
Mosquito intensity varies seasonally: Bug activity peaks in early summer, especially near water bodies. "It was quite buggy due to a lot of recent rain. Highly recommend fogging your site or having a bug enclosure to help ward of the mosquitos," advises a camper at Paint Rock Springs Campground — St. Croix State Park.
Water hookup logistics: At some RV parks, water connections may require special equipment or extended hoses. A visitor at Banning RV Park explains, "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots. Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Train noise at certain locations: Railroad tracks near some campgrounds cause periodic noise disturbances. "One of the only things that was obnoxious about this park is that there is a frequently used train track nearby - and the trains really lay on whistle," shares a camper who needed earplugs at night.
Winter camping options: Several parks remain open year-round with plowed sites for winter camping. "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out. The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent," reports a winter visitor at Wild River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity considerations: Some campsites are located very close to playgrounds, affecting noise levels. At Cloquet-Duluth KOA, a visitor reports, "Our site was directly across from the playground and the kids playing at the playground were all pre-teens who screamed non-stop."
Family bathrooms available: Several campgrounds offer private family bathrooms with showers. "Bath building has a large 'family/handicap' bathroom shower room," notes a camper at Paint Rock Springs Campground, highlighting amenities that make family camping more convenient.
Wildlife viewing opportunities for kids: Many campers report frequent deer and bird sightings. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," shares an excited family at Wild River State Park.
Check educational programming schedules: State parks frequently offer ranger-led activities for children. "The park has an 82-site campground and lots of activities to keep adults and kids busy, with hundreds of naturalist programs including nature walks, evening campfire talks, fishing programs, and geocaching."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring additional equipment. "Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult and out fold out stairs touched the ground before fully being deployed," warns an RV camper at Banning RV Park.
Premium glamping close to Finlayson, Minnesota: Several campgrounds now offer luxury tent accommodations with amenities. "This campground is quite large, geared towards RVs and trailers but also has dozens of tent sites and is currently adding more! There are also several nice new camper cabins available," notes a visitor describing glamping options near Finlayson.
Dump station congestion: Holiday weekends can create long lines at dump stations. An RVer at Spirit Mountain Campground advises, "Dump station is conveniently located on your way out of the grounds but can get backed up at the end of a busy weekend and can make it difficult to exit the campground."
Electric-only sites prevalent: Many RV sites offer electric but no sewer connections. "This KOA offers full hookups in some parts of the campground but our site was only water/electric so they offered a complimentary pump-out with a mobile truck during our stay," explains a camper at Cloquet-Duluth KOA, describing a common setup for glamping accommodations in the Finlayson region.
