156 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Hillside Terrace Homes, Minnesota ranges from developed campgrounds with electric hookups and showers to free dispersed sites in remote settings. Moose Lake State Park Campground offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups and showers, operating primarily from May through September. Jay Cooke State Park provides year-round camping with cabin options alongside traditional tent and RV sites. For those seeking more primitive experiences, Dago Lake offers free dispersed camping in a remote setting. The area's mixed-use campgrounds typically provide varying levels of amenities, from basic tent pads to full RV hookups with water and electricity.
Camping availability follows seasonal patterns, with most developed campgrounds fully operational between May and October. Winter camping remains available at select locations like Jay Cooke State Park, though with reduced services. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Facilities at established sites typically include drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, while dispersed areas like Dago Lake require self-sufficiency with no amenities. Road conditions vary significantly, especially for accessing remote areas. According to one visitor at Dago Lake, "Free dispersed camping off Dago Lake Road between Willow River & Sturgeon Lake. Quiet aside from the occasional car. Pitch black at night."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with several highly-rated options situated on lakes. Moose Lake City Park receives consistently positive reviews for its lakeside setting, though visitors note the presence of goose droppings along the shore. Family-oriented campgrounds like Bent Trout Lake Campground provide additional recreational amenities including swimming beaches, boat rentals, and fishing access on private lakes. Several campers highlight the quieter experience at state park campgrounds, particularly mid-week. One visitor to Moose Lake State Park noted, "We camped here mid-week and the place was not full so it was quiet and sites have trees and shrubs for some privacy." Most campground options balance natural settings with practical amenities, making the area suitable for various camping preferences.
"Jay Cooke is really a must experience state park within easy driving distance to other parks in Minnesota and Wisconsin."
"North east Minnesota has some very beautiful country. Highly recommend this spot. "
from $23 - $90 / night
Check Availability"The trails are nice walking trails with picturesque views of the lake. Campsite fee was $23, vehicle registration $7 for the day, firewood $6 for the day."
"Unbelievable AGATE MUSEUM at the main entrance. Men’s bathroom was very clean and showers worked great. Nice well groomed trails, well maintained campsites and campgrounds."
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Bawning park is a walk through the history of the area the self guided tour is both informative and entertaining and the hike along the river is one to remember featuring the only class 5 rapids in Minnesota"
"There are miles of trails to hike, including along the river and to a waterfall, all kinds of paddling and rafting possibilities(bring your own, or join a trip sponsored by a local outfitter), or go bouldering"
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The lake is privately owned so the wonderful fishing is only open to guests and there is very good fishing there."
"Bent Trout Lake Campground is a beauty. They have tent camping with hookups at times. There is a great, well-maintained lake which in turn makes the beach just as nice as the lake itself."
from $10 - $30 / night
"Only downfall was all the goose poop and bugs, but thats to be expected on the lake. The weekend host and his wife were very nice people!"
"Kind of off the beaten path. You have to take the Willow River exit and go through the town a little bit. There's a small sign next to the Squirrel Cage restaurant and bar."
"Located a few miles from the soo line trail. A little bit smaller of a location and traffic. Offers outhouses and water. In town amenities close by."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Close to grocery store and parks. We hit Robinson Park and Bannon State Park. I was apprehensive after I found out that this was a big ATV campground."
"Free dispersed camping off Dago Lake Road between Willow River & Sturgeon Lake. Quiet aside from the occasional car. Pitch black at night."
"It was very private and had nice trees surrounding it. So pleased with our stay here :) Visiting in the fall was ideal- I bet this place is packed during the summer months!"
"Spots were right by the lake and the lake was awesome"
TravelerI sent them an email a few days before needing a site and they didn't get back to me until I already had another site booked. They told me that it is always better to CALL instead of emailing., so I thought I would let be known.
TravelerPrivate sites, W/E, Close to downtown Duluth. Our site was just big enough for our 38' 5th wheel with slides on both sides. They delivered wood which was $9 for 5 pieces. RR and showers close to this site. Toilets fairly new, but showers paint peeling and could use remodeling.
ScoutThe campground is nice and has more woods/bushes and more privacy than the other two campgrounds in the park. The bathroom/showers were relatively clean and functioned well with nice hot showers. The electric sites functioned as expected but, they all seem very well used. Not much in the way of grass (bit of a drought at the time) and lots of little bits of garbage all over our campsite. All the electrical sites were occupied while we were there and a lot of the other sites near the modern bathroom were occupied. If you want privacy and a less worn campsite I would suggest booking a non-electrical site further away from modern bathroom. Oh, another plus water from spigots around campground was good.
ScoutSites are large but can see your neighbors. Beatiful beach with playground away from the campground.
RangerIf you’re hopping between state parks in the north shore area and need something near Duluth, this campground is a solid option if there’s nothing else available. Time has not been overly friendly and the park and campground are somewhat run down, but there are still upsides. It’s close to local stores and the sites are shaded and actually quite lovely, but beware that MANY of the sites on the far west loop (45-70) will not be level. Most also do not have a dedicated space for a tent, but there is usually ample space on the gravel drives (bring extra padding). This loop is also not ideal for larger RVs. Verizon cell service was manageable and if you scout the site images online, you can find spots with northern-facing openings in the trees for Starlink if needed. Water spigots in this loop are also well placed and the water was quite chilly. Now for the ugly…the bathrooms in this loop are serviceable, but if you touch the wall or floor while showering, you might want to star over. If you forgot your shower shoes, you won’t be showering. Older bath houses are acceptable, but this one was plain filthy beyond simple age.
ScoutNice campground with flat paved spots and good facilities. Water park for extra charge, but a great free playground for non-swimmers
RangerI stayed at two sites, the second being 41E, which has electric. This loop is perhaps the most central to the bath house, but all are conveniently located nearby and the dump station isn’t too far (but far enough to stay out of sight, out of mind). The bath house is fully handicap friendly and the shower heads can all the raised and lowered, and there are wheelchair ramps up to the facility. The dirt roads are miraculously pothole free and the drinking water spigots are blissfully cold if you’re here during a heatwave. Site 41E, like quite a few actually, has the fire pit behind/on the wrong side of your rv door, but no biggie. The biggest downside is that the site is rather unlevel, but if you are able to scoot all the way to the right (closest to the electrical tower), it’s not so bad. The bridge/park office/store is a quick 7 min walk, and the bath house is less than a 2 min walk.
When I was staying, we were hit with hazardous levels of wildfire smoke, and I was so impressed that the park staff opened visitor’s center early so that campers would have a place to escape the smoke. I’ve never stayed at any park where the staff goes so far above and beyond.
RangerEvery site is nestled into the woods, which is cozy and adds the added benefit of privacy. That said, the extra big rigs wouldn’t be a good fit—one loop only allows for rigs under 25’ in length due to a tight corner. Another oddity is that some fire pits are on the opposite side of your doors, but no biggie.
The bathrooms are wonderfully new and central to all the camping loops. There are men’s and women’s sides for toilets/sinks and independent shower rooms—all handicap friendly. The park really outdid themselves here, even the building is beautifully designed.
Firewood is for sale at the camp office along with your typical camping goods and souvenirs, and the park staff is wonderful to interact with. There are black bears, but no bear boxes, so be smart with your food. I had 1-2 bars of LTE on Verizon, and if you need Starlink access, try to find a site that runs north/south more than east/west because there are obviously trees everywhere.
Site 5 is near a small dumpster, which turned out to be rather convenient—there is a line of trees/brush for privacy, so don’t let that stop you. There is also an ice cold water spigot behind the site, which was even better—again, trees/brush for privacy. Mostly level, with just the smallest tilt toward the fire pit. 2 minute walk to the bathrooms, conveniently located near a walking path to the park office/bridge.
GuideOur van fit just fine, the bathrooms were good, and the lake and hiking trails provided plenty to do. Not necessarily a destination but so glad we stopped by.
Camping options near Hillside Terrace Homes, Minnesota range from rustic state parks to family-focused private campgrounds situated within the mixed conifer and hardwood forests of east-central Minnesota. The area's continental climate brings warm summers with temperatures typically between 70-85°F and cooler nights around 55-65°F. Elevation changes throughout the region create varied camping terrain, with some sites offering ridge views while others provide lakeside settings.
Hiking historic quarry trails: Jay Cooke State Park offers unique hiking experiences along the St. Louis River with distinctive geological features. "Awesome views from the Swingbridge. Make sure you do some climbing on the craggy rocks near the river!" suggests Joshua W. The park combines natural beauty with historical elements throughout its trail system.
Agate hunting: Moose Lake State Park is known for its impressive agate collection and opportunities to find your own specimens. "Cool agate museum! Close to Duluth," notes Josee B. The park features an interactive agate gallery in the visitor center that showcases the geological history of the region.
Winter camping and ice climbing: Banning State Park maintains winter camping options with specialized activities. "This is a great place for winter camping! The campsites are large enough (despite the snow) to set up suitable winter tents, and each site has a picnic table and fire pit. In the park, there's a lot of ice climbing and cross country skiing," reports Alexa S.
Lakeside camping with boating options: Campers appreciate the private lake access at Bent Trout Lake Campground, which offers various watercraft rentals. "They have RV sites and tent sites a private lake with swimming area and fishing/boat/water toy area. There's a little store with all your basic supplies and where you can rent different boats and water things," says Faith H.
Privacy between campsites: Many campers value the natural separation between sites at state parks in the region. "Every campsite seems to be well-treed and relatively private, providing a perfect atmosphere to just enjoy nature from your campsite," notes Krista T. about Jay Cooke State Park.
Fall color experiences: The region transforms during autumn, offering distinctive camping experiences. "We decided to try an extend the camping season by staying here in the first weekend of October, and we were rewarded greatly! The colors were near peak and the water was really high, so there were many kayakers going down the river as we hiked along the parallel trails," shares Bryan S. about Banning State Park.
Tent pad conditions: Some campgrounds have specific tent pad preparations to consider. "Our tent pad was really well graveled and made me realize that the standard stakes that came with our tent and bug house need to be upgraded. I was able to get most anchor points secure, but I gave up on one particularly resistant spot," warns Krista T.
Noise considerations: Train noise affects some of the best places to camp near Hillside Terrace Homes. "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. I slept with earplugs in because of this, but I was still woken up around 4 times that night," reports a camper at Jay Cooke State Park.
Interstate proximity: Some campgrounds like Willow River are positioned near major highways. "You'll be next to the freeway and you'll hear the noise but it's not that bad. Usually hardly anyone is here. They have picnic tables, pit toilets and water," explains Nigel N.
Look for campground-organized activities: Family-friendly campgrounds often provide structured recreation options. "Lots of campground activities to bring everyone together. Their own private firework display the week of the 4th," mentions Faith H. about Bent Trout Lake Campground.
Consider shower facilities: When camping with children, shower quality makes a difference. "Moose Lake City Park is a quaint beautiful spot. We had a blast!" shares Daniel R. The park offers shower facilities that make extended stays with families more comfortable.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bird watching can engage younger campers in nature observation. "We saw a Baltimore Oriole which is something we don't see often in Northern MN," reports Mary K. at Moose Lake State Park.
Campsite selection for larger setups: RVers should check site specifications when booking. "We stayed in site 27 and it was perfect for our truck, 40ft fifth wheel camper, and utv trailer. Its nice that the campground allows utv/atv access," reports Tonya B. from Moose Lake City Park.
Dump station considerations: Easy access to dump stations simplifies departure. "There is also a dump station as you exit so we didn't have to make another stop when we left. This is such a big perk!" notes Jesse E. about Bent Trout Lake Campground.
Off-season availability: Some RV-friendly campgrounds remain accessible outside peak times. "Small, roughly 35 sites. Some electric some non-electric. Campground has multiple vault toilets and 1 bath house," explains Tori K. about Moose Lake State Park, which offers shoulder season camping options for RVers seeking quieter experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hillside Terrace Homes, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 156 campgrounds and RV parks near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN is Jay Cooke State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 71 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN.
What parks are near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Hillside Terrace Homes, MN that allow camping, notably Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
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