Best Tent Camping near Fort Ripley, MN

Tent campers exploring the area near Fort Ripley, Minnesota can find multiple waterway-adjacent options, with many sites situated along the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers. Canoe Landing Campsite in Crow Wing State Park offers walk-in tent sites with maintained grounds, fire rings, and picnic tables, while Baxter Canoe Camp provides tent-only camping with riverside positioning accessible primarily via watercraft. Several campgrounds in the region specifically accommodate tent campers traveling by canoe, kayak, or on foot, forming part of larger water trail systems designed for multi-day paddling excursions.

Most tent-only sites in the Fort Ripley area provide basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. The Crow Wing State Park canoe site includes vault toilets and garbage receptacles, while more primitive sites like Overlook Park Canoe Campsite offer high ground with soft spaces for tent placement but minimal services. Water access points range from developed landings with stairs to natural shorelines requiring careful navigation. Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly for water trail campsites, though some require permits or payment at nearby ranger stations. Walk-in tent sites typically lack running water, so campers should plan to filter river water or carry their own supply.

Tent camping along the water trails near Fort Ripley provides direct access to both paddling routes and hiking trails, with many sites positioned to maximize river views. The Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail connects multiple tent camping areas, allowing paddlers to travel from Lake Itasca southward while utilizing designated overnight stops. Several sites feature elevated positions that provide scenic vistas while keeping tent locations dry during fluctuating water levels. According to one visitor describing Baxter Canoe Camp, it's "hands down, one of the all time best campsites I've ever been to. Not many places you can camp and wake up to the sound of water babbling on the Mississippi River." Wildlife encounters are common, with campers reporting everything from bird watching opportunities to occasional visits from larger mammals, so proper food storage is essential at these tent-only backcountry locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Fort Ripley, Minnesota (28)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Fort Ripley, MN

330 Reviews of 28 Fort Ripley Campgrounds


  • L
    Nov. 2, 2022

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful and quiet

    End of October, Stopped for just one night, probably about a 20ish minute drive from 94. Was able to purchase firewood after closing, and the campsite were easy to find after (7$)entry to the park. Campsites are reserved through an online system. We found the top campsite completely empty and plenty of sites had good tree coverage for privacy/ way no protection. Nice level sites with soft ground. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table. The only bathroom in walking distance to the upper campsites was a vault toilet located amongst the cabins. Seems like a great place to stay any season.

  • Brian C.
    Jun. 25, 2018

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    A Very Confused Campground

    The thing about State Parks is that they don't always know what they want to be.

    Are they here to celebrate nature, and provide a moments breath away from the pace of urban life? Are they here for historical facts? Are they for revenue?

    Crow Wing State Park suffers from this dilemma. While the tent sites are nice and spacious, the RV sites are stacked one on top of another, with no illusion of privacy. The weekend we were there, they were pretty full, but noise coming from other campers was acceptable.

    There are plenty of water spigots, and toilet/shower facilities. The facilities are clean, but old.

    There is an almost constant booming, however, coming from Fort Ripley, just down the river. The Fort serves as training for everything from the national guard, to state police, to the DNR. At one point, we could clearly hear live rounds being fired.

    The walks and paths were well maintained, except that some were flooded out due to recent heavy rains. The area dedicated to the Old Crow Wing Village was well done.

    What causes me the most confusion though, is that someone made the call to cover the roads with sand, instead of the traditional crushed stone. So, never mind that the sand made it harder to walk up hill to the water and showers, it got everywhere. When we tore down camp, I emptied enough sand from my tent, that I could have added a fresh layer to a cat's litter box.

    I am very conflicted about this park. It is very pretty, but when you get right down to it, the little quirks that surround it add up. I'm not sure if we will be back. Not that we won't, it's just that we won't be rushing back.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Joanna B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful camper cabin

    Leap Day 2/29/20-3/1/20 Frog Pond

    We headed to Lake Carlos for their candlelight ski, this was our first visit to this state park. Tent camping wasn’t available and we were able to reserve a camper cabin - Frog Pond. It was a nice change and a warmer option, the cabin is gorgeous! Frog Pond sleeps 6 with heat and electricity. There are 4 cabins that share 2 vault toilets.

    It was a beautiful 38 degree Leap Day and we took advantage of it. They offer a large number of ski trails so we xcountry skied before dark. The trails were icy, but still enjoyable. At dark we headed to the candlelight event. It was very busy and a huge turnout. We hiked 1.2 miles and then snowshoed 2.4 miles. There are ponds and bogs that they create snowshoe trails on, so there are even more trails to explore in the winter. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed the wooded trails and starry skies. We had a fire and enjoyed a normal outdoor cookout before bed.

    We did more skiing on Sunday and checked out the 2 campgrounds as they were on the ski route. One campground is on Lake Carlos and very open. Sites have beautiful lake views. You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it. They also have a swimming beach. The other campground is a bit more wooded and more suited for tents. This campground is near the camper cabins. The trails are very wooded and pretty. We enjoyed skiing the hiking club trail and ended up hitting almost every trail in our stay. I assume this park would be equally beautiful in the summer. What a beautiful state park!


Guide to Fort Ripley

Tent campsites near Fort Ripley, Minnesota cluster along the Mississippi Headwaters Water Trail, which follows a historic trade route through central Minnesota. The region features sandy shorelines transitioning to pine forests with elevations ranging from 1,150 to 1,300 feet above sea level. Overnight sites typically remain accessible from April through October, though spring flooding can affect early-season availability along river shores.

What to do

Hiking trails at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park: Several miles of maintained paths wind through diverse terrain, with the park's fire tower providing panoramic views. "Lots of trails, close fishing, and an awesome lookout tower!" notes Anne G. at Ogechie Campground.

Paddling the Crow Wing River: This tributary joins the Mississippi near Fort Ripley, offering gentler currents suitable for beginners. "We canoed to the site down the Crowe Wing River. It is very unique and pretty!" reports Amy G. about Knob Hill campsite, which features upper and lower camping areas connected by a staircase.

Historical exploration: The region contains significant Indigenous and settler landmarks, including the Red River Oxcart Trail. Ogechie Campground offers access to "historic native village site and trail," according to MARY K., who adds, "We camped in the older Ochegie campground (site #1) near the historic native village site and trail."

What campers like

Easy water access: Most riverside sites feature designated landings for watercraft. Janet R. explains about Bullard Bluff Campsite: "This is the kind of location primitive campers might enjoy, and it is great that there are canoe launch sites and reasonably spaced Paddle-in campsites nearby along the river for canoe campers making a trip."

Secluded camping spots: Some sites offer greater privacy away from main campgrounds. "We chose one of the dispersed sites so had to walk aways but worth it! We had a pretty nice spot on bottom of hill away from everyone. It was nice and secluded," notes Jordan L. about his experience at Ogechie Campground.

Flat tent pads near water: Many sites feature level areas positioned specifically for tents. HollyRose M. describes Overlook Park Canoe Campsite: "There is a specific spot RIGHT on the river with a picnic table, fire ring, and nice high ground soft space for a tent... There is a nice canoe landing area with a few stairs to help give access up and down from the river bank."

What you should know

Maintenance varies between sites: County-managed sites may receive less attention than state park facilities. Janet notes at Bullard Bluff that "though there are picnic tables and outhouses at the campground, maintanence is needed and appears to be a bit lacking."

Wildlife encounters: Bears and other animals frequently visit campsites along the river. Amy G. shares her experience at Baxter Canoe Camp: "We did have a nighttime visitor in the form of something big and black and furry... It never approached the tent, we never had to yell, and it never threatened. Simply grunted and 'barked' a few times, and then wandered away."

Seasonal insects: Summer months bring heavy mosquito activity. "Beautiful state park, but WAY too many mosquitos in the summer. we had at least 100 bites after our trip," warns Jen H. about her stay at Ogechie Campground.

Map discrepancies: Some water trail sites may not match exactly with their published locations. Amy G. notes about Baxter Canoe Camp: "This camp is not located exactly where it shows on the map... it was about a 1/2 mile to a mile farther south of Brainerd than we were expecting."

Tips for camping with families

Scout for multi-level sites: Campgrounds with varied terrain offer natural play areas. John N. describes Knob Hill: "If you don't know the others camping there you will because it's close quarters." This compact layout makes it easier to monitor children.

Bring activities for rainy weather: The area receives approximately 28 inches of rainfall annually, with summer storms common. One visitor found alternative recreation when plans changed: "We were bike riding the Paul Bunyon Trail and rode into Crow Wing in the dark. I self registered because the office was closed," relates Brittany about her experience at Canoe Landing Campsite.

Consider specialized group sites: Several locations offer dedicated areas for youth organizations. Tori K. explains at Mississippi River County Park: "Group camp: Mississippi River County Park offers group camping for bona fide youth groups and educational groups (e.g. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church youth groups, 4-H Clubs, etc.). There is no charge but reservations are required."

Tips from RVers

Check access roads carefully: Many water trail sites have challenging final approaches. John N. cautions about Knob Hill: "This place is off the beaten path for sure. It's more of a trail than a road for the last part and I was riding my Victory Motorcycle. 4 wheels is advised or a dirt bike."

Pack rodent deterrents: Mice problems affect vehicles at some sites. Annie V. shares this experience at Ogechie Campground: "I camped here in a 2006 Toyota Tacoma and mice essentially had their way with every part of my vehicle in one night!!! I have a topper and a built-out bed in the back... They got into plastic bins, duffel bags, backpacks, stuff sacks, etc."

Consider bicycle-specific sites: Some locations designate areas for cycle tourists. According to Tori K., "Bicycle campsite: Camping is allowed for those traveling through on bicycles and limited to one night of camping with no overnight vehicle. The bicycle campsite is located by the fire pit near the picnic shelter. First come-first serve; Register onsite."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fort Ripley, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fort Ripley, MN is Canoe Landing Campsite — Crow Wing State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Fort Ripley, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Fort Ripley, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.