Best Campgrounds near Fort Ripley, MN

Fort Ripley is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Fort Ripley, Minnesota (145)

    1. Crow Wing State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $21 / night

    "Tent camp here once and a while, but finally got around to officially doing the hiking club trail."

    "Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails, and good information signs with history of each site along the trail.

    Very Clean men’s bathroom."

    2. Crow Wing Lake Campground

    10 Reviews
    Fort Ripley, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 829-6468

    "What a beautiful, peaceful sight in the woods next to the lake. Sit back and relaxing camping at it finest"

    "Only drawback was the lake was too mucky and weedy to swim in but has to be a great fishing lake. The owner's were awesome. Seriously great family rv campground."

    3. Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Little Falls, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 616-2525

    "Sites are close together compared to some other Minnesota state parks. Lots of trees. Bathroom is older but decent. Hiking trails ok nothing special."

    "There is about a 500yd walk to the restrooms, and you have to go another 500yds to the main campground to find the showers."

    4. Canoe Landing Campsite — Crow Wing State Park

    3 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 825-3075

    $22 / night

    "This is a canoe campsite that is part of the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail, one stop on the paddle trail which allows canoers and kayakers to paddle from Lake Itasca to to the north, all the"

    "We were bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark. I self registered because the office was closed (wrote in canoe site since you can't reserve it online)."

    5. Gull Lake Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Baxter, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 290-5772

    $32 - $50 / night

    "Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers."

    "We stayed in site 29 with electric and it was large but the only down fall is the firewood for purchase is next to the site, so there is a bit more foot traffic walking by."

    6. Military Park Camp Ripley DeParcq Woods Campground

    2 Reviews
    Little Falls, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 616-3140

    $7 - $17 / night

    "It is designed as an MWR location for active duty, retired, and veterans of all the uniformed services, but other guests can stay there with permission."

    "Quiet, not quite remote and with access to enough if you need it. You get a large tent site on the Mississippi River across a road from the RV’s highly recommend."

    7. 37 Acres Campground

    1 Review
    Little Falls, WI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 360-5093

    $20 - $35 / night

    "This campground definitely caters to seasonal stays although was a convenient location off the highway.

    Restrooms were nice and they had a compost area too."

    8. Baxter Canoe Camp

    1 Review
    Baxter, MN
    11 miles
    Website

    "There is a trail for maintenance workers to drive in (they come by regularly to empty the trash cans!), but I don't know if it's for drive in traffic as well."

    9. Overlook Park Canoe Campsite

    1 Review
    Baxter, MN
    10 miles
    Website

    "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."

    10. Fishtrap Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Fort Ripley, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 575-2603
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Recent Reviews near Fort Ripley, MN

361 Reviews of 145 Fort Ripley Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake

    Crosslake MN COE campground

    This is a spacious campground with 123 sites, most with electricity, all wooded. The Lake is actually part of a string of lakes friendly to high speed motor boats as well as canoeing/kayaking. Like all other COE campgrounds, it honors campground passes, cutting the fees by half. A COE ranger patrols regularly. It of definitely dog friendly without breed or size restrictions. It is just north of Brainard, MN so civilization is nearby but the turn of Crosslake has All the amenities of city life. As with many other campgrounds, it's not busy Sunday-Thursday but gets much busier on weekend days. I would highly recommend this campground.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rum River State Forest

    Free parking in solitude.

    No potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park.

  • James R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Greer Lake

    Great rustic camp ground

    This my second time here and I love it. It’s on a lake on state forest trail and 2 toilets and water pumps.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Great place to camp.

    Two Rivers Campground is the perfect spot for a fun and relaxing getaway. They have a lazy river, a splash pool for little ones, and another pool for all ages. Kids will love the giant inflatable bouncy house, mini golf, and the many activities offered. The general store has all your camping essentials, plus they make great pizza and other food—delivered right to your campsite along with firewood and ice, just by calling or texting. The campground also features a beautiful beach area on the river that’s perfect for swimming. A few nice spots to shower and restrooms. Quiet beaches one is 1100 to 0900. It’s well maintained and taken care of. We will come back again.

  • Laura P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Boulder Woods RV Park

    Mature trees and park like setting

    Boulder Woods is mostly seasonal camping but does have RV sites for overnight and weekly camping. The park is well maintained with power and water at all sites. There is a view of Ann Lake, however, the RV park is not on the banks of the lake and does not have access to the lake.

  • The Rolling Panda  ..
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground

    Small quiet park

    This park is very small, minimal vegetation between sites. It was buggy, but manageable. Clean facilities, easy to navigate. If you're looking for a quiet small park this is a good place to start.

  • M
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Absolutely Beautiful!

    We are camping/glamping in. 30’ fifth wheel. The sites here are spacious and cozy at the same time. Feels like we are deep in the forest but civilization is close enough for WiFi! Get some firewood from the Ranger, the fire pits are great!!

  • Kylie M.
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Camp Holiday Resort and Campground

    Wonderful Family Campground

    We tent camped and appreciated the clean facilities, activities for kids to do, and close to great fishing lakes (Bay Lake & Borden Lake).


Guide to Fort Ripley

Camping near Fort Ripley, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Crow Wing State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, “Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails.” Another camper noted, “Lots of trails for hiking and biking. Bring bug spray in the summer!”
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: Rent a canoe or kayak at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. A reviewer shared, “Came through on an evening in July to meet a buddy canoeing the Mississippi.”
  • Fishing: The Gull Lake Recreation Area is a great spot for fishing. One camper said, “Good fishing lake,” making it a perfect place to cast a line.

What campers like:

  • Secluded Sites: Campers appreciate the privacy at Crow Wing State Park Campground. A review highlighted, “Sites 40 to 45 are very nice and secluded.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors noted the cleanliness of the bathrooms. One camper at Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Campground mentioned, “Bathrooms/showers were cleanish,” which is always a plus.
  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Crow Wing Lake Campground offers a playground and pool, making it fun for families. A reviewer said, “Fun for the whole family. Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store.”

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A visitor at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park warned, “The trails are probably not maintained because it was so wet but they were almost impossible to hike on simply because of the amount of mosquitoes.”
  • Rustic Experience: Some campgrounds, like Birch Lake, offer a more primitive camping experience. A camper noted, “If you like a more primitive campsite you will like this!”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, Ogechie Campground lacks running water and toilets, but it’s a great spot for those who enjoy a rustic experience.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Crow Wing Lake Campground that have playgrounds and pools. A reviewer said, “This campground is fun for the whole family!”
  • Pack Bug Spray: With the presence of mosquitoes, especially in summer, it’s essential to bring bug spray. One camper advised, “Bring bug spray in the summer!”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor at True North Basecamp mentioned, “We brought our paddleboard and had a great time on the quiet lake.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Cuyuna Range Campground noted, “The sites were amazingly large with nice privacy between the lots.”
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Gull Lake Recreation Area offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A reviewer said, “Each lot has full hook-ups, that was a huge bonus!!”
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. One visitor at Cuyuna Range Campground recommended, “Book early on Recreation.gov.”

Camping near Fort Ripley, Minnesota, has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fort Ripley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Ripley, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Ripley, MN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fort Ripley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Ripley, MN is Crow Wing State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Ripley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Fort Ripley, MN.