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Best Tent Camping near Kensington, MN

196 Reviews

Tent camping options near Kensington, Minnesota include established campgrounds like Elk Lake Campground and Glendalough State Park Campground. Elk Lake features tent sites a short walk from the lakeshore, while Glendalough State Park offers cart-in and canoe-in tent sites around Annie Battle Lake. Swan Lake Resort & Campground and Linwood Resort also provide tent camping areas with lake access.

Most tent sites at Glendalough State Park are accessible via cart paths, with carts available on-site to transport gear. Fire rings, picnic tables, and drinking water are available at several campgrounds including Elk Lake and Glendalough. Bathrooms with showers can be found at established campgrounds, though primitive sites may only offer vault toilets. Many campgrounds in the region have lake views, particularly at Glendalough and Swan Lake where tent sites are positioned on wooded hills overlooking the water.

The tent-only camping areas at Glendalough State Park offer a more secluded experience with no RVs or car camping allowed. Sites are spaced apart in hardwood groves that provide shade and natural screening. Annie Battle Lake at Glendalough prohibits motorized boats, creating a peaceful environment for paddling, swimming and fishing. Hiking and biking trails connect to most camping areas, with a paved trail circling Annie Battle Lake. A review from The Dyrt mentioned, "The tent sites are all cart in, making the scenery the main focus. You don't have to stare at vehicles while you are enjoying a fire, which I love."

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Best Tent Sites Near Kensington, Minnesota (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Kensington, MN

9 Photos of 12 Kensington Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Kensington, MN

196 Reviews of 12 Kensington Campgrounds

  • Glenda D.
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Delagoon Park Campground

    Small campground with fishing pier

    Delagoon Campground is located within Delagoon Park which is on the outskirts of Fergus Falls, the County seat of Ottertail County. The campground has 22 campsites with 14 being camper/tent sites with water & 20/30 electricity. The campsites are gravel back-in with no separation between sites so privacy is limited. The tent-only sites are against a line of trees but are still open to other campers. There are fire rings but no picnic tables so bring your camping chairs. The fishing pier is large and handicap accessible. There are non-plumbed but modern and clean restrooms within the park. The campground gets used a lot by local residents looking for a quick weekend getaway but there are usually several open spots available that are low in cost ($10 for tent-only & $20 for hookup sites). Registration is first come first serve via a self serve kiosk at the campground entrance. The noise level within the campground can be pretty high on weekends. There are no posted quiet times or on-site staff who manage the campground (it is managed by the Fergus Falls Park & Rec Dept) although the local police drive through frequently when the campground is inhabited.

  • L
    Nov. 2, 2022

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful and quiet

    End of October, Stopped for just one night, probably about a 20ish minute drive from 94. Was able to purchase firewood after closing, and the campsite were easy to find after (7$)entry to the park. Campsites are reserved through an online system. We found the top campsite completely empty and plenty of sites had good tree coverage for privacy/ way no protection. Nice level sites with soft ground. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table. The only bathroom in walking distance to the upper campsites was a vault toilet located amongst the cabins. Seems like a great place to stay any season.

  • Glenda D.
    Apr. 22, 2021

    Ashby Resort Campground

    Some semi-private sites - full hookups in other sites

    Each site has a picnic table and some sites have a fire ring.  There are tent-only sites that have no hookups and there are semi-private sites for RVs with electric hookup only or sites that are closer together for RVs that have full hookups.

    Call 218-747-2959 to book a site.  The campground has a lot of trees and most campsites are on grass.

    There is also a motel and cabins on-site that you can book.  The motel rooms, cabins and new cabins (these are like smaller mobile homes) are all lakeside giving you nice views.  

    The campground has paddle boards, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes that are available to guests at no extra charge, too.  You can rent a fishing boat or pontoon either by the day or the week.  There is a fish cleaning house on-site as well.  

    This campground is in the heart of Minnesota's lake's country.

  • Joanna B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful camper cabin

    Leap Day 2/29/20-3/1/20 Frog Pond

    We headed to Lake Carlos for their candlelight ski, this was our first visit to this state park. Tent camping wasn’t available and we were able to reserve a camper cabin - Frog Pond. It was a nice change and a warmer option, the cabin is gorgeous! Frog Pond sleeps 6 with heat and electricity. There are 4 cabins that share 2 vault toilets.

    It was a beautiful 38 degree Leap Day and we took advantage of it. They offer a large number of ski trails so we xcountry skied before dark. The trails were icy, but still enjoyable. At dark we headed to the candlelight event. It was very busy and a huge turnout. We hiked 1.2 miles and then snowshoed 2.4 miles. There are ponds and bogs that they create snowshoe trails on, so there are even more trails to explore in the winter. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed the wooded trails and starry skies. We had a fire and enjoyed a normal outdoor cookout before bed.

    We did more skiing on Sunday and checked out the 2 campgrounds as they were on the ski route. One campground is on Lake Carlos and very open. Sites have beautiful lake views. You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it. They also have a swimming beach. The other campground is a bit more wooded and more suited for tents. This campground is near the camper cabins. The trails are very wooded and pretty. We enjoyed skiing the hiking club trail and ended up hitting almost every trail in our stay. I assume this park would be equally beautiful in the summer. What a beautiful state park!

  • Tracy O.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Glacial Lakes State Park Campground

    Perfect for families

    Great family campground. Lots of shade cover. Oak ridge is perfect for larger rigs (<35 feet - anything bigger there are only 2 spots that will fit) (no electric or water). Clean vault toilets. Lots for kids to do. Canoeing, fishing, paddle boards. Great hiking trails. Loop for kids to bike on easily. Easy to get to.

    For those using the dump station it’s on a hill and tougher for bigger rigs to use. No flushing station. But water throughout park. Firewood at the station. Small number of electric sites in the first campground but sites are closed together and less privacy/shade. Bathhouse is in first campground.

  • Glenda D.
    Mar. 26, 2021

    Delagoon Park Campground

    Great campground on the outskirts of town

    Delagoon is the City Park & Camping area on the outskirt of Fergus Falls, the County seat of Ottertail County. The campground is comprised of about 20 campsites with several designated for tent or RV and includes 20/30 amp & water hookups. The other sites on the west side when you enter are tent-only sites with no electricity but there is running water supply outside the bathrooms located within the campground. The sites are spacious but there are no trees separating campsites so privacy is minimal, although the views are beautiful. The bathrooms within the campground and near the playground are modern but not plumbed. Hand sanitizer is refilled often but you may want to bring your own tp in case it has been used or taken. Pebble Lake, the lake adjacent to the campground is accessible by a road to a walking area for shoreline fishing or a road within the camping area leads to a fishing pier, usually installed by May 1. Softball and soccer teams play most days of the week in the summer. There are four softball fields and one soccer field.

  • M
    Dec. 23, 2020

    Birch Lake

    Quiet State Park No Hook-ups

    If you like quiet/off the beaten path sites, this one is awesome. Walk in sites as well as drive in. Great (but small) swimming beach, large lake with great fishing available. No hook ups and no dump station. Sites are spaced far enough apart to give you some privacy.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2025

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Lakefront (winter edition)

    I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going in addition to our 0 degree bags. It stayed pretty cozy! Fire ring and picnic table at the site. I believe the bathrooms and showers were closed for the season but cannot recall. Firewood is available at the office.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Lakefront

    Nice large campground. There is a lower portion and upper portion with the lower campground being lakefront. There are primitive and electric sites available. Firewood at the office and there are restrooms, showers, and vault toilets as well.

    Close to downtown Alexandria where there are a variety of things to do: breweries and restaurants, shopping, other parks and trails.

Guide to Kensington

Tent camping near Kensington, Minnesota offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various amenities and activities. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot for your outdoor adventure.

Tips for tent camping near Kensington

  • Elk Lake Campground provides a peaceful setting with grassy sites and access to drinking water, making it a comfortable choice for tent campers.
  • Glendalough State Park Campground features unique cart-in sites that ensure a secluded experience, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • God’s Country Camping offers a small, intimate campground with essential amenities like showers and picnic tables, ideal for a relaxing getaway.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $40

  • Swan Lake Resort & Campground has affordable rates and includes access to a beautiful lake, making it a great value for families.
  • Linwood Resort & Campgrounds offers a variety of accommodations, including tent sites, with prices that cater to different budgets.
  • Wildridge Campgrounds provides a budget-friendly option for those looking to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.

Local activities to enjoy while tent camping

  • At Glendalough State Park Campground, you can explore scenic hiking trails and enjoy non-motorized boating on pristine lakes.
  • Swan Lake Resort & Campground offers a range of water activities, including fishing and kayaking, perfect for a fun-filled day on the lake.
  • Elk Lake Campground is a great spot for a short hike to the lakeshore, where you can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kensington, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kensington, MN is Elk Lake Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Kensington, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Kensington, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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