3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Itasca State Park offers several glamping options within its Pine Ridge Campground, where visitors can experience the headwaters of the Mississippi River while enjoying elevated accommodations. The park's camper cabins provide a comfortable alternative to traditional camping with electricity, heat, ceiling fans, and private docks on select lakes. One visitor noted, "We stayed at one of the 3 camper cabins and loved it! They have electricity, heat, ceiling fans and a private dock on Beers Lake." Glendalough State Park Campground also features yurts among its glamping accommodations, providing a unique circular tent-like structure with wooden floors and comfortable furnishings. Both parks maintain a balance between wilderness immersion and comfort, with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby shower facilities, while still allowing guests to experience the natural beauty of northern Minnesota.
The glamping experience at these parks connects visitors with numerous recreational activities while providing comfortable shelter. Itasca State Park features miles of hiking and biking trails, canoe and kayak rentals that accommodate dogs, and the unique opportunity to wade across the beginning of the Mississippi River. A recent visitor mentioned, "What really stood out at Itasca was everything there was to do: canoe rentals (dog-friendly!), bike and boat rentals, and plenty of other activities to fill your day." Maplewood State Park's glamping sites offer stunning lake views with several docks for fishing and water access to multiple lakes, each stocked with different fish species. Winter glamping is also available at select locations, with heated accommodations providing a cozy base for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and viewing the northern lights in dark sky areas. Most glamping sites require reservations well in advance, especially during peak summer months and fall color season.
"This place has beautiful scenery whether you are in an inside lot or on the lake. Staff was very kind and accommodating and shower/bathhouse were well maintained and setup very nice."
"First off, every member of the staff we worked with from reservations to the store were wonderful. They were helpful, courteous and polite but you could tell that they were no nonsense."
"Bathrooms are clean and there’s a laundry room."
"Many amenities, very friendly and helpful staff. My absolute favorite!!!"
"Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer."
"Itasca State Park offers campgrounds that will give the full outdoor wilderness experience, away from the sounds of cities and cars. It's a wonderful place for hiking,biking, and water activities."
Available this weekend
from $25 - $35 / night
"This is yet another canoe campsite and canoe launch on the state—designated Crow Wing River Water Trail https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/crowwingriver/index.html This is a good paddle-in stop or"
"It was located right on the river. This was a great campsite for the 7 of us! Planning on going back a few times this summer!"
"Large and mostly shaded sites with several being right on the lake."
"got here on a saturday and was too late to go home, there was one spot left, it gets really quiet around 10 pm. did a little shore fishing, they have some nice bluegill here."
"Kids loved the heated pool and tether ball! We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away. Great sites, great time!"
"Clean and detailed bathroom and showers. Laundry available. 30, 50 amp hookups. Back in trailer sites. Nice cabins, very reasonable rates. Everything REALLY CLEAN. beautiful swimming pool."
from $52 / night
"a different lakes every night."
"The trail is a beginner level trail. A couple uphills, but nothing too bad. The campsite is basic. A log to sit on, a fire ring, and spots for 2 or 3 tents. The campsite overlooks a lake."
from $19 / night
"We had electric hook up, fill with water near the dump station. Our site was big and private on Grass lake facing west so we saw great sunsets sitting in our site."
"Very spacious sites; the best ones in the main campground (with electric) are along Grass Lake (7,8,15,16) but all would be decent sites."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $34 / night
"Went on the hiking club trail around Annie Battle Lake, most of it is even paved for biking or groomed for skiing."
"We had a really great weekend exploring Glendalough, in the Ottertail Lakes region where the northwoods transitions out to prairie."
Available this weekend
from $22 - $85 / night
"Right on the lake so kids spent a lot of time in the lake and on the lake fishing. Shower house has bathroom and washer & dryer."
ScoutVery nice campground. Sites are level and well marked. Picnic tables in good shape. Fire rings. Bathrooms and showers are good. Propane available is very nice. And reasonably priced. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable
RangerAmazing bike trails, really quiet but it is off season, surrounded by natural beauty
TravelerEasy to access campground. We were in the Maple loop. It’s full, but we had enough quiet with the spacing and trees between the sites. Bathroom was clean and didn’t smell. Easy trail access. No real scenery in the campground other than the standard north woods.
GuideThis campground is better than the bear paw one because they have sites that are bigger and more private.
*pine loop and poplar loops are best if you want private camping sites.
*site 211 is the biggest! That's where we stayed.
*there are two bathroom buildings which have flush toilets and showers. It's less than a five minute walk from just about anywhere in the campgrounds. Also multiple vault toilets.
*I had some cell coverage (t mobile) and so did my friend (Verizon). Usually when did, she didn't, and vice versa. I'd say a good portion of the campground doesn't have service, you may have to walk around a bit to get a bar or two. No wifi in the campgrounds (except where you purchase wood) but there's wifi in the visitor center.
*we saw a bear sighting almost every night. He was not aggressive and pretty skittish, just making noise scared him off. But beware you'll need to keep a clean campsite.
*lots of stuff to do here. The Mississippi headwaters is a must! There's a fire tower, museums, hiking, swimming, kayak rentals, and more! Also the park hosts events too. We went to one on the history of the headwaters and one for archery! Also the wilderness drive is a must!
*there's places to eat in this park too! There's a restaurant (didn't get to try bc it was closed at the time) and a little cafe next to the headwaters. It was delicious, they had sandwiches, pastries, coffee, etc.
TravelerPeople and park rangers friendly. Spread out spots.
TravelerThe perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Beautiful campground. Peaceful in every way.
ScoutLate April and things have not gotten green yet so it is a bit dour at the moment. In the summer I can see this place being very beautiful surrounded by trees and near the headwaters of the Mississippi!
ScoutWe like the Pine Ridge Campgrounds because of how dense the trees are between campsites compared to Bear Paw Campgrounds. There is also less traffic going on. The only downside is a further walk to showers/bathrooms.
GuideStayed at knoll loop. I enjoyed the privacy of these sites. Road in is a little rough. The showers are at the main campground with plenty of parking. I wouldn't walk that far for the showers. Great place to stay.
Glamping options near Horton, Minnesota range from rustic yurts to comfortable cabins located on small lakes and within state parks. Winter temperatures in this northern Minnesota region frequently drop below 0°F, while summer highs average in the mid-70s. The area sits at approximately 1,400 feet above sea level and features glacial lakes surrounded by pine forests and hardwood groves that provide natural screening between most camping sites.
Paddling lakes without motors: Annie Battle Lake at Glendalough State Park Campground prohibits motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for kayaking and canoeing. "This is one of the few state parks where they have canoe-in sites. It's right in the heart of lake country so there's always water around you," notes Jason S.
Wade across the Mississippi headwaters: The beginning point of the Mississippi River runs through Itasca State Park, where visitors can literally walk across the river's start. "Here you can wade across the very beginning of the Mississippi River," mentions Jeff S. in his review of Pine Ridge Campground.
Winter activities during glamping stays: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails remain accessible during winter months when staying in heated accommodations. "Winter glamping is also available at select locations, with heated accommodations providing a cozy base for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing," making these activities accessible even in colder months.
Island camping experience: Campers' Paradise offers a unique island setting accessed via a one-lane causeway. "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!" shares Melissa H.
Clean modern facilities: Many glamping sites feature unexpectedly well-maintained washrooms and shower facilities. "The facilities were amazing! That isn't hyperbole, they were so very clean and modern that we used them instead of our own camper most of the time," according to Jesse E. at Campers' Paradise.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Backcountry glamping sites provide access to diverse wildlife. "I stayed for 2 nights. It was beautiful and serene... Woke up to trumpeter swans each day. Loved it," reports Brent G. about his stay at Deer Park Lake Backcountry Campsite.
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "We loved our one week there so much that we've asked to be put onto a permanent renewal because we will be going back over and over," mentions a Campers' Paradise visitor, highlighting the need to book well ahead.
Site accessibility varies: Some glamping locations require physical effort to reach. "The trail is a beginner level trail. A couple uphills, but nothing too bad," notes Brent G. about reaching Deer Park Lake Backcountry Campsite.
Limited RV access at certain sites: Maplewood State Park Campground and other locations have size restrictions. "The campsites are reasonable and private. But if you're not in the main loop you'll be walking for half a mile round trip," warns Oliver I.
Secure glamping options for beginner families: First-time campers with children should consider structures with solid walls. "My friend & I stayed in their Osprey yurt, and it was perfect for our first camping trip together. I recommend yurts if you're not 100% comfortable with/enjoy staying in a tent," advises Isabelle P. about Glendalough State Park.
Look for water activities near campsites: Sites with beach access provide entertainment for children. "Family camping RV sites have playground right there. Paddle Boats available and swimming beach. Right on the lake so kids spent a lot of time in the lake and on the lake fishing," shares Lisa P. about Tuck-a-way Resort.
Check for recreational rentals: Many locations offer equipment to borrow or rent. "What a wonderful park for families and first time campers. All sites (except one handicapped site) are tent only and cart-in sites," notes Pete T. about Glendalough State Park.
Size limitations for RVs: Several glamping destinations close to Horton have restrictions on larger vehicles. "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," explains Jesse E. from Sunset Pines Campground.
Access challenges for larger units: Maneuvering to some sites requires experience. "We fit into our site and were able to get around when we needed to but it was certainly snug at times and some sites would be tough for a rookie to back into I think," continues Jesse E.
Seasonal site advantages: At certain campgrounds, seasonal sites provide better amenities. "We had a decent time at this campground. The seasonal sites are much nicer than the regular ones," mentions Brent G. about Tuck-a-way Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Horton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Horton, MN is Campers' Paradise with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Horton, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Horton, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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