The Hibbing area of Minnesota sits on the Mesabi Iron Range at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, with numerous forested lakes scattered throughout the region. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, making sleeping comfortable even without air conditioning. Camping opportunities range from established lakeside campgrounds to more remote forest locations with varying amenities and accessibility.
What to do
Kayaking on reservoir waters: West Two River Campground provides access to a calm reservoir with numerous islands for exploration. "The lake is large enough for some long and interesting kayaking, and there are multiple kinds of fish (from bullheads to northern pike)," notes Frank G., who visited in 2024.
Frisbee golf on-site: West Two River Campground offers disc golf facilities right on the property. The campground's compact size (45 sites) means amenities are within walking distance. "Frisbee golf is on site. There is no tank dump available. The campground is surrounded by forest, so wild animals can and do appear," according to Frank G.
Swimming at sandy beaches: McCarthy Beach State Park features particularly well-maintained swimming areas. "The sand was so nice and the area was very well kept up! So many tables and spots to sit. They had 4 trails we didn't get to go on but were well marked and the staff was very nice," explains megan G.
Biking on the Mesabi Trail: Sherwood Forest Campground provides direct access to the Mesabi Bike Trail. "It not only has full hook-ups and overlooks a lake, but is right on the Mesabi Bike Trail," states Cindy B., adding that "the sites were spacious. It was so peaceful!"
What campers like
Lakefront access: Sherwood Forest Campground offers sites with direct lake views. "Got there after sunset met the host and easily found our campsite. The next morning we awoke to a wonderful view of the lake," writes Michael B. The campground features full hookups with sites that aren't crowded together.
Pine forest settings: The wooded environments provide natural shade and beauty. "Family friendly, beautiful forest, and awesome lakes!!!" reports Rachael W. about McCarthy Beach State Park. Catherine J. adds the area is "remote, scenic, relaxing. Situated by a lake and awesome regional trails, McCarthy Beach is a great weekend trip."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campgrounds throughout the area offer chances to see native animals. "We loved listening to the loons at night and enjoying a campfire among the tall trees of the campground," describes Christina W. Other campers mention deer sightings, various bird species, and even bears in more remote areas.
Group camping facilities: Group Camp at McCarthy Beach State Park provides specialized accommodations for larger parties. "The group campsite has a nice log building for group gatherings, plus plenty of space for tents to accommodate up to fifty people. A small camper or two could also fit," explains Janet R., adding that it's "located on a bluff with a beautiful view over Sturgeon Lake."
What you should know
Varying water quality: Some campgrounds experience water issues at times. One camper at McCarthy Beach State Park noted, "There were temporary problems with the drinking water on the whole campground - couldn't brush teeth with sink water, and had to go to the dump station to fill up from the one safe water spigot."
Maintenance variations: Stubler Beach receives limited maintenance attention. "There's no one on site that maintain sites or park. Trash is over filling in all trash cans," reports Michelle K., who visited in 2020. She added, "I did enjoy being able to get away close to home, but was a little disappointed at how run down this camp ground seems."
Off-season flexibility: Several campgrounds offer reduced services during shoulder seasons. At Trout Lake Campground, David T. found that "the owner told me they were closed. But he was happy to let me stay overnight for a reduced off-season fee. There were no hookups at this time of the year."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds are located near highways. "The campground is next to a busy road so if you're looking for peace and quiet you will not get it here," mentions jaime M. about Trout Lake Campground, though they appreciated the level parking pads.
Tips for camping with families
Beach amenities for kids: Eveleth Veterans Park Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "This campground is a great place for anyone and is especially great for those with young children. Direct access to a great beach, plenty of space to safely roam, and a park to play in," says Cassandra F.
Shallow swimming areas: McCarthy Beach State Park features graduated-depth swimming areas ideal for younger children. "The lake is shallow for quite a ways out so it's great for water games and younger swimmers, as well as those who just love floating around," notes Christina W.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play equipment. Louis S. mentions Sherwood Forest Campground "has a playground for the kids" alongside "a cool view looking over a nice lake."
Beach day use facilities: Several campgrounds offer day-use beach areas with amenities. "The beach area a five star rating, as the beach is on Sturgeon Lake which is incredibly beautiful, the beach is amazing with crystal clear water, shallow depths for kids and family swimming, great picnic spots all along the expansive shoreline," explains Janet R.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Pay attention to site grading at various campgrounds. At Trout Lake Campground, jaime M. noted, "We loved that we were able to pull right onto the gravel pad and it was level so we didn't need to take extra time to level out the camper."
Hookup placement: Check utility locations when selecting sites. "The 30 amp electrical and water hookups were nice however they were on the wrong side of the pad which we thought was odd," mentions jaime M. about their stay at Trout Lake Campground.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds in the Hibbing area offer dump stations. Frank G. points out that West Two River lacks a tank dump, while at Trout Lake Campground, "the owner was very nice and even pumped out our sewage for us before we left."
Site spacing: Different campgrounds offer varying degrees of privacy between sites. At Trout Lake Campground, Nancy W. observed, "The park is mostly occupied by seasonal campers who take advantage of the amazing fishing in the lake, but, there are some sites for transient RVers and tent campers... the main part of the campground was a little too cramped for our taste."
