Camping sites near Laporte, Minnesota center around the Paul Bunyan State Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,500 feet throughout the region's glacial moraine landscape. The forest encompasses over 105,000 acres of mixed hardwood and conifer forest containing dozens of lakes connected by forest roads. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F with higher humidity, while fall brings cooler temperatures and vibrant leaf displays.
What to do
Paddling chain lakes: The Little Gulch Lakes chain offers pristine waters for non-motorized watercraft exploration. "This is a great destination for canoeing or kayaking from lake to lake, all along a unique glacial moraine with deep quiet forests, plenty of wildlife, and crystal clear water in narrow but very deep glacial lakes," notes a visitor to Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite.
North Country Trail hiking: Sections of this National Scenic Trail wind through the forest near many campgrounds. "There is a high bluff at the end of Nelson Lake along the NCT that has AMAZING views about a mile hike from the campground," reports a camper at Gulch Lake.
Fishing inland lakes: The smaller forest lakes offer less pressured fishing. The substrate of the Little Gulch Lakes "favors small mouth bass, which are fun to angle for but are fairly uncommon for this neck of the woods!" according to one forest visitor.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Lake Twentyone offers designated sites for water enthusiasts. "Sites are primitive. No electric or water. Toilets are vault toilets, no showers. Stayed at a nice waterfront site great for having kayaks and paddle boards," says a camper at Lake Twentyone Watercraft Site.
Quiet weekday camping: The state forest campgrounds provide peaceful experiences especially mid-week. "Great campground. Very quiet during the week. Most sites are separated by trees and vegetation. Out of 39 sites, 4 are currently occupied and none can see each other," notes a visitor to Mantrap Lake Campground.
Fall colors: The mixed forest provides spectacular autumn displays. "I visited Gulch Lake campground October of 2019. The leaves could not have been more beautiful. The outhouses were clean... We spent all day hiking through the crowds at Itasca (about 15 minutes down the road) and learned that we had the best most secluded hiking right next door."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most forest campsites have poor connectivity. "I have verizon and there is no cell service at this sight. There were some bars closer to where you drive in but still nothing great," reports a camper at Little Gulch Lake.
Forest road conditions: Many campsites require driving on unpaved roads. "The road can also be pretty tough so be prepared if your pulling a trailer," notes a visitor to Gulch Lake. Forest roads may become impassable during heavy rain or spring thaw.
Bug preparation: The lakes and forests create ideal mosquito habitat. "It is extremely buggy and there's a large wasp nest/ tunnel system on the ground near the fire pit," cautions one visitor to Little Gulch Lake. Biting flies can also be problematic: "We were plagued by biting flies. It became unbearable at times," notes a visitor to Stony Point.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly options: Several parks offer dedicated cycling paths. "The state park that houses the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Miles of great biking and hiking trails, good fishing opportunities. Good sites and clean shower facilities," writes a visitor to Bear Paw Campground.
Swimming beaches: Seek out campgrounds with designated swim areas. "The small, sandy beach is clean and provides a large swimming area. The boat ramp is convenient and easy to use, also free," notes a Stony Point visitor.
Alternative accommodations: The region offers cabin options for families wanting more shelter. "This campground is beautiful. Bring your bike because everything to see and do is quite a hike if you walk. There are a lot of trails that are perfect for biking. Wish we could spend more time here."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: For full-service camping, seek specific parks. "We were in site 37E. Frankly, I liked Bear Paw campground better, even though it's smaller. By the lake, but no sites are ON the lake," shares a visitor to Pine Ridge Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Many RV sites close by mid-October. "This campground is in Paul Bunyan State Forest. First come, first serve. No ATVs are allowed, perfect if you have young kids on bikes. There are no hook ups at all. Must have a generator for power. Water is available but not at every site."
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal before arrival. "We had a full h u Campsite the pool was beautifull and the Biketrail near by the RV park. A very good Restaurant nearby. From the Campground to Walker City 4 Miles."
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