L
Lauren K.
Guide
GuideLyons park camping
Lovely free camping
Lovely free camping provided by the Lyons community. It has water barbeques bathrooms, power, and 4 spaces. Very generous community effort.
Camping near Horton, MN
215 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The Horton, Minnesota area encompasses several established campgrounds across state forest and private lands, with options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks and cabins. Campers' Paradise offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups and showers, while Memorial Forest Park provides water and electric hookups for both tent and RV campers. Huntersville State Forest contains multiple primitive camping areas including Shell City Landing and Shell City Equestrian Campground, which feature access to the Crow Wing River for canoe-in camping. Most campgrounds in the region are concentrated along waterways and lakes, providing both recreational opportunities and scenic natural settings.
Camping in the Horton area follows typical Minnesota seasonal patterns, with most private campgrounds operating from May through September or October, while state forest sites generally remain open year-round but with limited winter maintenance. Full-service campgrounds like Vagabond Village maintain seasonal operations from mid-May through early October. Road access to primitive sites can become challenging during snow or heavy rain, particularly at forest campgrounds where unpaved roads may require all-wheel drive. Campground amenities vary widely, from basic pit toilets and water pumps at Shell City Landing to full hookups and resort amenities at larger private establishments. "Shell City Campground is in the Huntersville State Forest. If you want to camp in the woods, you want to be in the woods. Even if you are in a city. This camp is off the beaten path, without being out of the way."
The Crow Wing River represents a significant camping feature in the region, with several campgrounds offering river access and canoe landings. These waterfront sites typically receive positive feedback for their scenic qualities and recreational opportunities. Bear Paw Campground at Itasca State Park, located north of Horton, maintains higher user ratings for its combination of electric hookups, water access, and amenities like showers and firewood availability. RV-oriented campgrounds closer to towns such as Park Rapids provide convenient access to services but less privacy between sites. As one camper noted about Wolf Lake City Campground, "This is a small, first-come, first-served campground offering water and electricity at each site. While the sites are conveniently equipped, there is little to no privacy between them. The highlight of the campground is undoubtedly the lake—it's absolutely gorgeous."
Best Campgrounds near Horton (215)
1. Campers' Paradise
"Campers' Paradise is island camping that you get to by driving across a 1 lane road to get to the island. "
"Beautiful island with great sites and a crystal clear lake surrounding."
2. Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park
"Itasca State Park Minnesota This park is a gem in Minnesota State Parks! Just beautiful. Although we only had 1 day we managed to pack a lot into it."
"The Bear Paw campground is one of two main traditional drive-in campgrounds at Lake Itasca State Park."
from $25 - $425 / night
Check Availability3. Willow Acres
from $35 / night
Check Availability4. Vagabond Village Campground
5. Shell City Landing
"This camp is off the beaten path, without being "out of the way"."
6. Shell City Equestrian Campground
"The road is gravel/dirt and not a bad drive, but being unpaved, it's a bit bumpy. Be gentle when you drive."
from $14 / night
Check Availability7. Wolf Lake City Campground
"Spent many nights at Wolf Lake and look forward to spending more."
8. Memorial Forest Park
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability9. Big Pines RV Park
"We booked last second and we didn’t know what to expect with it being located in town."
10. Sebeka Public Park and Campground
"Groceries are available within walking distance (take the red bridge over the river into town, rather than walking along the highway). We have always enjoyed visiting this campground."
"The other RVr’s were quiet, you could only hear a little bit of rumbling from the nearby highway. The bathrooms were nice with all things considered. There were two bathrooms and one shower stall."
from $15 - $30 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 33 min from Fargo, ND
- 1 hr 58 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 2 hrs 32 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 2 hrs 51 min from Duluth, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Horton, MN
102 Photos of 215 Horton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sebeka Public Park and CampgroundB
Vagabond Village Campgrounda
Campers' Paradise
Hungry Man Forest Campground
Mantrap Lake Campground and Day-Use Area
Oxbow Park Campground
Moose Lake Campground
Valhalla Resort
Spider Lake Trail - Dispersed CampingB
400th Ave Camp
Smith Park CampgroundC
DeSoto Lake Backpacking Sites — Itasca State ParkB
Recent Reviews near Horton, MN
409 Reviews of 215 Horton Campgrounds
Patrick W.GuideLake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
Lake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
*Can reach from North Country Trail
Backpack Site#5 is a peaceful, secluded campsite located on the shore of McKay Lake along the Deer Park Trail in Itasca State Park. The site is approximately 2.5 miles from the Aiton Fire Tower parking lot, making it a manageable hike while still providing the feeling of being well away from the busier areas of the park. The campsite has a beautiful lakeside setting, with the shore of McKay Lake only about 10 feet from the site. This makes it a great spot to relax by the water and enjoy the quiet surroundings. The site is equipped with a bear box and fire ring, along with a bucket for completely extinguishing your campfire. There is also a simple three-sided vault toilet nearby. Fallen trees and dead wood are abundant in the surrounding area, providing plenty of potential campfire wood where gathering is permitted. One unexpected bonus was finding a deck of cards in the bear box, a nice little addition for passing the time around camp after a day on the trail. Overall, Backpack Site#5 offers a great combination of accessibility and solitude. With a relatively short 2.5-mile hike, a campsite almost directly on McKay Lake, basic backcountry amenities, and plenty of surrounding forest, it is an excellent choice for an overnight backpacking trip in Itasca State Park.
Sacred E.
TravelerSmith Park Campground
Great little town camp spot
We are loving finding these sweet little campgrounds! This one is easy, has power and water for $15 a night, nice host, and a great little bakery just down the road.
aidxn
ScoutGulch Lake Campground —Paul Bunyan State Forest
Pretty quiet!!
It's a super simple campsite. Nothing fancy but it's exactly what you need if you a peaceful weekend.
Claire G.GuideCoffee Pot Landing
Perfect, Peaceful
This little spot was perfect for a one-night sleep. The two shelters down the path are easy to walk to, across a bridge. Needs some obvious upkeep. I did not stay back there, rather parked in the circle drive and camped there. Access to a picnic table and fire ring from parking area. No hook-ups, one very very sketchy outhouse near the shelters, shaded w/ sun patch for solar/starlink, no cell service.
Lindsey Z.ScoutBear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park
Nice, great views
We stayed two nights at the Bear Paw Campground. It's right off the lake.
There were nice views.
The bathrooms were nice and clean, with more than enough showers and stalls and sinks for everyone.
The biggest downside was our actual spot 37E. It was very small, with only gravel/sand for any flat ground. We had to put our tent kinda in-between our spot and our neighbors'. I don't think that a full-size camper (either 5th wheel or travel trailer) and a truck would fit in the spot either.
A E.GuideHalverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake
Beautiful View of the Lake
I loved this spot!! I included an aerial view of where my chosen site was on the maps.
My only complaint was lots of people driving by in vehicles and ATVs, but that's a personal preference as I am trying to find some peace in solitude. I arrived on a Friday and left on a Tuesday. The weekend was the busiest, which was expected. A family used the campsite during the day to put their kayaks in the water. They were so sweet, and the kids even brought me back a boquet of flowers they picked. Another family showed up with some fourwheelers for a bit as well. Everyone I encountered was very friendly!
There are wild blackberries growing on site! And a bunny came by every single night to have dinner, and bunnies are a good sign for me.
AND there is an outhouse!! Directly across the road from the campsite is a slightly overgrown path. Follow that (not a very long walk), and bring your own toilet paper!
elizabeth B.GuideSebeka Public Park and Campground
nice hookups
Nice little park with four hookups. Maybe six, I'm not sure, but four for sure. Bathrooms with showers. $30/night with hookups, $15/night without. They also have potable water and a dump station, which they charge for. Gotta pay cash though I guess a check will work.
- KKimysue J.Guide
Cross Lake Recreation Area
Nice developed campground
This is a large and popular developed campground. With camping options for a variety of campers. There are sites with both water and electric, some with just electric, and some without either. Do not expect quiet or solitude. This is a busy place. There are 2 shower houses with restrooms. Only 1 vault toilet. There are water spigots. There was only one boat launch in operation. The only garbage is by the park entrance. The biggest fault is the lack of facilities for the size of the campground. That being said the sites are spacious, shaded, and well maintained. This is a great place for boating and the beaches are nice and one is dog friendly. Staff are friendly and helpful.
Guide to Horton
Camping sites near Horton, Minnesota cluster around the Crow Wing River watershed at elevations between 1,300 and 1,500 feet above sea level, where mixed forest transitions into prairie landscapes. The area's sandy soil creates well-drained campsites that dry quickly after rain, making spring camping viable even after wet weather. Most campgrounds operate seasonally between May and October, though winter camping is available at some forest service locations.
What to do
Water activities on lakes and rivers: Campers' Paradise offers island camping with direct water access. "Campers' Paradise is island camping that you get to by driving across a 1 lane road to get to the island. There are lakefront sites or interior sites but this is as close to beach front camping as you will get in MN!" Water features include private sandy water entries at lakefront sites and a beach area with water trampolines.
Hiking and biking trails: Bear Paw Campground provides access to extensive trail networks. "Many bike and walking/hiking trails. Well maintained park. Great trails to hike. Super nice Visitors Center with great interactive displays to learn about the park." The Heartland Trail can be accessed a few blocks from Big Pines RV Park, offering paved routes through the region.
Wildlife viewing: The area's lakes and forests support diverse wildlife. "Took many pictures of loons on Mary's lake," notes one camper at Bear Paw Campground. The fall migration season (September-October) brings waterfowl concentrations to the shallow lakes and wetlands throughout the region.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: The Shell City Landing campground offers secluded riverside sites. "Such a pretty view! Only a short distance off the main road, this isn't hard to find as long as you follow the signs." The campground provides river access with two entry points from the water.
Clean facilities: Vagabond Village Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "We camp here every summer. It's very clean. Bathrooms are clean and there's a laundry room." Sites at this campground start at $60+ per night with additional guest fees, according to recent visitors.
Night sky viewing: The rural setting creates opportunities for stargazing. "Dark skies at night and the quiet you only get out in the country," writes a camper about Willow Acres. The campground offers spacious one-acre sites with full hookups.
What you should know
Access considerations: Some forest service campgrounds have unpaved access roads. "The road is gravel/dirt and not a bad drive, but being unpaved, it's a bit bumpy. Be gentle when you drive. I visited in the winter, so I had snow on top of bumps and ruts and my all wheel drive was appreciated."
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer significantly more privacy than others. "While the sites are conveniently equipped, there is little to no privacy between them," notes one camper about Wolf Lake City Campground. In contrast, Shell City Landing provides more secluded options.
Urban proximity: Several campgrounds are close to towns while maintaining a natural setting. "We didn't know what to expect with it being located in town. We were pleasantly surprised...our lot was decent size, full hookups, the kids (and adults) enjoyed the river, the Heartland Trail is a few blocks away, downtown is also close by, but yet, it didn't feel like we were in town."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation access: Wolf Lake City Campground provides family amenities. "Nice baseball fields, playground, shelter picnic area, beach with a dock and bathrooms with showers." This municipal campground offers water and electric hookups at each site.
Kid-friendly activities: Vagabond Village Campground offers numerous facilities for children. "Plenty of activities for kids. They have a swimming beach, pool, playground, game room, it's safe for kids to ride their bikes. Very well managed and friendly."
Spacious group options: Several campgrounds accommodate family gatherings. Shell City Landing offers group site options for up to 20 people at $28 per night, providing an economical option for larger family camping trips with multiple tents.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Some campgrounds restrict larger RVs. "They were very clear from the get go that campers over a certain size weren't allowed and while ours isn't huge, maybe 30 foot hitch to bumper, I could see why they were so up front. We fit into our site and were able to get around when we needed to but it was certainly snug at times."
Hookup availability: Memorial Forest Park accommodates large RVs with some limitations. "There is everything here from 43 ft Class A rigs to tents. The only downfall is you have to unhook to go dump every so often. Thankfully the dump site is inside the campground."
Campsite access: Some campgrounds have tight entry roads. At Campers' Paradise, "There is a causeway that leads from mainland to the island and it's such a fun and unique way to get to camp. Some sites would be tough for a rookie to back into I think."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Horton, MN?
What camping is available near Horton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Horton, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 215 campgrounds and RV parks near Horton, MN and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Horton, MN?
Which is the most popular campground near Horton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Horton, MN is Campers' Paradise with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Horton, MN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Horton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Horton, MN.
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