We camped at Site 171 in the Pine Ridge Maple Loop. While the site was decent in size, it was right along the main road, so there was quite a bit of car and foot traffic—we didn’t feel as secluded as we’d hoped. Site 167 seemed to be the most private in the Maple Loop, though it looked like it might be a little close to the trash area and pit toilet.
Overall, Maple Loop seemed to cater more to RVs, so it wasn’t our favorite for a tent camping experience. The bathroom was about 500 feet from our site and felt like the perfect walking distance—not too far, not too close.
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.
If we return, we’d aim to book Bear Paw #61 or try one of the nearby walk-in sites for more privacy. Poplar Ridge would be our next choice, followed by Maple Loop #167. If going with a group, the Bear Paw sites in the 30s and 60s are great options since some looked to be more connected to make group camping easier.