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True North Basecamp near Ironton charges for pets while providing direct access to mountain bike trails and quarry fishing. The campground features clean bathrooms, kayaking opportunities, and sites with varying privacy levels. Pets are welcome at several established campgrounds in the area including Red Rider Resort, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, and Crosby Memorial City Park, all offering electric hookups and picnic tables. Campers with dogs should note that some campgrounds like True North Basecamp have specific pet fees, while others maintain standard leash requirements.
Crosby Memorial City Park provides easy trail access to the Cuyuna mountain bike trails and paved bike paths with Serpent Lake offering swimming and boating opportunities for both campers and their pets. The park includes water and electric hookups, a shower house, and a playground, all within walking distance to downtown shops and a brewery. Crow Wing State Park, located under two hours from the Twin Cities, offers both electric and non-electric sites with the non-electric options providing more seclusion for tent campers with pets. The park maintains hiking trails and canoe rentals, with firewood available for purchase at the park office for $6 per bundle in compliance with Minnesota firewood regulations.
"A great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy."
"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."
"Stayed at RV site 4 which is bordered by trees on one side which was nice for privacy."
"Easy access to both single track and to paved cycling path. Sites are close but still felt private, especially when leaves fill in. Nice shower house, and a sauna we didn’t use."
"My dogs loved exploring the woods. The other campers were fun and social. And, this campground is close to the fun downtown in Crosby and the great bike trails and parks there."
"It’s clean, well-maintained, and close to town for groceries and restaurants. Would stay here again."
from $57 - $65 / night
Check Availability"We loved the group camp site except for the fact the people would walk through it. There was a main hiking trail and lots of people came through. Our dogs did not care for that surprise."
"Just kidding, our dogs hate camping but we definitely enjoyed Crow Wing. The park ranger was super helpful on our first visit to the park."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The mountain biking trails were in great shape and were great for all skill levels. The lake was super clear and the small beach was wonderful."
"The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Right on the lake with private dock. Sites a close by. Most have water and electric. Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back. Off of a quiet road. No traffic noise."
"We had site 4, lake side access. The site was amazing, with a dock to the lake. Has a picnic table with a lean to shelter, and a fire ring."
from $30 - $66 / night
Check Availability"Easy trail access to the Cuyuna MTB trails and paved bike paths. Right on Serpent Lake for boating and swimming access."
"On park, next to playground and beach. Walking distance to restaurants and bars, And easily bike to the Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trails.
Cons. Road noise and low privacy."
"No tent sites available on the lake as those are reserved for rv, but the tent area is nice and wooded."
"Well groomed, right next to trails, lakes , shops restraunts excellent locatin"
from $55 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Small campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities."
LegendFun for the whole family. Amenities include: playground, pool, lake, dog park, and store. Each site has a table and fire pit. Keep an eye on your account. We noticed goggles charged to ours even though none of the 3 of us bought any. Somebody must've given them the wrong site number to charge to. Overall great campground, but a little spendy.
TravelerA great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy. The bathrooms were always clean. Situated right on a quarry with fun fishing and kayaking opportunities. Connects to the mountain bike trails too! They do charge for pets.
LegendOur RV GPS brought us right to the campground(CG). We arrived about an hour early of their 3:00 PM check-in time with no issues checking in. We drove to FHU site 38 and backed in one and done. Our utilities were at the back of the site, and we needed about 35’ of electric and water hose. The sewer was more central, and I needed about 18’ of sewer hose for our rig. Our area had a few shade trees, but we had no problem hitting the north sky for Starlink. The water pressure was good, and we put on a reducer. Our nightly rate is based on an average over the weekday and weekend rates with no discounts offered. We stayed here three years ago when the CG was fairly young and not so built up. The clubhouse had gone to a full-service restaurant and bar, and when we were there around 10:30 AM, quite a few people were eating breakfast. We were told that the seasonal guests can golf on the weekends/holidays for free as part of their package, so tee times are needed. We saw a few seasonal folks going out, but just about every seasonal guest here has a golf cart, and they drove them around continuously during our Labor Day stay. Many of the seasonals also had ATVs, which they took off to ride the local trails. With the pool, new putt-putt golf, and other family activities, the CG was full of people. We were pleasantly surprised that the kids who rode on all sorts of electric bikes and scooters plus golf carts behaved themselves, and the parents seemed attentive. Everyone was friendly, and we happily noticed that the seasonal guests kept their sites clean and picked up after their dogs. They had expanded their dog park that’s up near the clubhouse, basketball court, and playground, but the dog area was not very convenient to the backside of the CG now that there are about 142 sites plus cabins/trailer park models available(with plans for more sites). However, there was plenty of room and little trails to walk your dog. The original/older sites 4-12 and the 30-40 area are currently being used for short-termers. Sites 1-3 are now cabins/park models. They have WiFi, but the signal was not very strong in our area. The golf course was under new design construction due to adding additional sites, but it was playable. Based on this CG becoming a seasonal golf cart community, we probably will not return.
TravelerFirst the negatives. No internet, medium phone signal. The campsites are too small and too crowded. The adults let their young kids drive their cold carts and atvs back and forth from the campground to the beach all day long. I counted one particular one make 34 trips in less than 6 hours. I used to golf and I occasionally used a cart but usually I walked. Kids and young parents are way too lazy now, because it's a small campground and short walk to the beach from the farthest site. I think they do it for 2 reasons, they are bored, and they can. There is only one road in and out so there is constant traffic, and the road is gravel so prepare to eat dust. The sites aren't paved or even gravel, you park on the grass. Now for the positives. Some sites have 50 amp, most just 30 amp or less. Water hookups at most. No full hookups or dump site. There is a beach and swim area on Skunk Creek. A playground by the bathroom and showers. That building is clean, showers are free. Lots of shade from all the trees. Mosquitoes are few, flies plentiful. It is a quiet park after 10pm, but although they say closed after 8pm there was traffic all night long. Ask for a site in the back to avoid headlights shining on you all night long. Rates are $40/night for the pull through site we had w50 amp service. It has a few seasonal sites, all located at the rear. There is a golf course right next door across the creek. That is where the office is located. The town is small, only a gas station and small grocery store, so bring what you need. A Subway and nice drive-in are close by. Oh, the water is in me/my dogs opinion not for drinking. I wouldn't suggest weekends here unless you're into hearing every conversation your neighbors have or want to sleep in. Maybe the week days are better? They do allow leashed pets.
ScoutAmazing, Family-owned campground, just far enough from “the cities” to get away for the weekend, without spending too much time in the car. Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool (not open in Sept), lake with ample docks for fishing or you can rent boats. The “general store” has everything you need from souvenirs to wood, to marshmallows for s’mores, and all at reasonable prices. Each campsite has electrical hookup, picnic table and fire pit. Pets welcome.
LegendFollowing the winding pathway you will come to the campground. It’s situated near four lakes and loads of biking/hiking. There is a lot to do in the area from fishing, hiking, biking, and nature watching. Loon lake has a nice little “park” with a beach so that is great for families.
The campground itself sits next to the lake which is nice and while no site has true waterfront claim several can see the water. I stayed in 22E which was next to a trail head but close to the water spigot and showers. Sites 62/3/4 would be great for a large family as they have loads of space. Showers and restrooms were super clean!
Yes it is buggy but it’s minnesota so you deal with it. There is lots of nature. We saw a bear while hiking the continental divide trail so nature is out there.
GuideThe 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.
ScoutMinnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers. Beach area is small and no where the dogs can get in. Great charity that sells and delivers firewood.
GuideRight on Lake Mille Lacs, one of Minnesota’s largest. Walking distance from the bakery and bar! Newer, updated facilities. Boat access. Lake side sites (if you book early enough). You can hit Mille Lacs State Park if you want to knock them both out on one trip! This park seems to attract a lot of long term campers, as I’m sure it’s pretty reasonable to stay at the lake all summer. We went mid-July I think and the trees were literally raining caterpillars… it was tough to want to hang out in our tree canopy-covered site. Sooo.. we ventured outside of the park more at this one.
There was a festival going on in a town west of here that had a couple rides and a really fun patio bar. If you do decide to venture out at night, ask the bartender for the limo driver’s number; he’s the city’s “uber”!
Ironton camping options sit within the iron-rich, formerly mined landscape of Minnesota's Cuyuna Range at roughly 1,250 feet elevation. The surrounding area features 15 mine pit lakes with depths up to 500 feet, many stocked with trout and offering remarkably clear water. Seasonal temperatures range from summer highs in the 80s to winter lows below zero, with peak camping season running May through September.
Mountain biking trail access: Cuyuna Range Campground provides convenient access to the Cuyuna mountain bike trail system with exceptionally large, private sites. "The sites were amazingly large with nice privacy between the lots. Easy to get into with plenty of room to spare. Each lot has full hook-ups, that was a huge bonus!!" (Katie B., Cuyuna Range Campground)
Paddling the mine pit lakes: The crystal-clear former mine pits offer unique paddling experiences with incredible visibility. "The old mine pits around and in the park are pristine and literally crystal clear! You can see hundreds of feet down through crystal clear water making it an amazing place to canoe and kayak." (Allison K., Cuyuna Country State Rec Area)
Snorkeling and swimming: The unusually clear waters create opportunities for underwater exploration. "The lake was super clear and the small beach was wonderful. The fishing was productive for small mouth bass and rock bass, but snorkelers told of huge pike in the nearby drop off." (Dave T., Cuyuna Country State Rec Area)
Fishing with trout stamp: Several lakes near campgrounds are stocked with trout species. "Beautiful views of the lake (mine pit) and swimming off of the private dock. If you want to fish here you must have a trout stamp." (Rene N., Red Rider Resort)
Secluded, wooded tent sites: Red Rider Resort offers private tent camping with nearby amenities. "The site here was nice and wooded. Definitely a bit more private than other Cuyuna options. MTB access to the Yawkey section was nice and will be even better after more trail is added to the zone." (Jake N., Red Rider Resort)
Clean, modern facilities: Shower houses and bathrooms across multiple campgrounds receive high marks. "The bathrooms are spotless and come with real flush toilets and sinks. There is even showers in both of them. Most people come here to ride the red dirt mtb trails of Cuyuna so the showers are a great amenity!" (Rene N., Red Rider Resort)
Lakefront cabin options: True North Basecamp offers cabin accommodations with lake views. "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." (Makayla B., True North Basecamp)
Access to town amenities: Campers appreciate the proximity to Crosby's dining options. "Great campground in the heart of Crosby, MN. Easy trail access to the Cuyuna MTB trails and paved bike paths. Right on Serpent Lake for boating and swimming access. Shower house, water/electric hookups, playground, walking distance to downtown shops and brewery." (Kim H., Crosby Memorial City Park)
Varying shower/bathroom facilities: Campgrounds differ significantly in their amenities. "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." (Makayla B., True North Basecamp)
Limited staffing at some sites: Be prepared for self-check-in procedures. "Bathrooms were fine but the men's password didn't work and it took away to get someone to fix it since this campground wasn't staffed." (Sydney J., True North Basecamp)
Seasonal mosquito challenges: Summer brings heavy mosquito activity. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" (Sarah D., Crow Wing State Park)
Noise levels vary by campground: Some locations experience more ambient noise than others. "We stayed in a tent for 2 nights at non-electric site 34. Maybe it was the weekend crowd, but it was incredibly noisy - both from people and mechanical noises. The quiet hours were not enforced, and there was a mechanical thumping audible around the clock." (Julie P., Crow Wing State Park)
Playgrounds and swim areas: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly recreation areas. "A very cool place for the kids! Swimming beach on Serpent lake is nice for the whole family. When they're tired of swimming, the skate park is always a good time. The playground is modern and very nice." (charlie S., Crosby Memorial City Park)
Consider lakefront cabin options: For families wanting more comfort while still experiencing the outdoors. "We stayed in a cabin for a week of biking. Excellent location with all the trails. It has a great swimming area, though it did get deep fast for little kids. We brought our paddleboard and had a great time on the quiet lake." (Stacy M., True North Basecamp)
Assess water depth for young swimmers: Some mine pit lakes drop off quickly. "We stayed in a cabin for a week of biking. Excellent location with all the trails. It has a great swimming area, though it did get deep fast for little kids." (Stacy M., True North Basecamp)
Group camping options: Larger family gatherings can utilize dedicated group sites. "True North Basecamp is a more recent development in the Cuyuba area. Since I've only stayed at the Group campsite I shall reflect on that. When you enter into the camp it is clearly marked. While driving to the group campsite the road is dirt and very rutted." (Susan H., True North Basecamp)
Site leveling needs: Come prepared with leveling equipment for some areas. "Most of the lake side sites were pretty uneven, bring plenty of leveling blocks. That wasn't really a big deal because we came prepared with just enough leveling blocks." (Angela J., Camp Holiday Resort and Campground)
Full hookup availability: Limited at some campgrounds, so book early. "Full hookups are very limited. Only 4 site near the back. Off of a quiet road. No traffic noise. Lake is clean but dark with ore." (katherine O., Camp Holiday Resort and Campground)
Pet-friendly camping options: Policies vary by location, with most allowing pets with proper restraints. "This new campground has everything you need and nothing you don't. Camping here makes it so easy to take in as much biking (or whatever else) as you want. There are 17 sites with 50/30/20 amp electric, water, and sewer connection." (Janae L., Cuyuna Range Campground)
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ironton, MN is True North Basecamp with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
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