Dispersed camping near Little Falls, Minnesota offers options within a 50-mile radius of town. The region features pine forests, glacial lakes, and rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 1,150 to 1,300 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping sees temperature fluctuations between 40-70°F daily.
What to do
Mountain biking on maintained trails: At Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, access over 25 miles of red dirt trails. "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," notes Dave T. The park also offers yurts for those seeking upscale accommodations.
Paddling on mine pit lakes: Crystal clear waters at Cuyuna Country provide excellent paddling opportunities. "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," explains Allison K. Local shops deliver kayak rentals directly to camping locations for approximately $50 per day.
Fishing from multiple access points: Crow Wing Lake Campground provides fishing opportunities for visitors staying lakeside. "The lake was too mucky and weedy to swim in but has to be a great fishing lake," notes Laura B. Crosslake Campground offers two boat ramps and a fishing pier, providing easy water access.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained shower facilities: Lake Carlos State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its upkeep. "The bathroom and shower were clean and easily accessible," reports Sarah D. at Crow Wing State Park. At St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park, "Restrooms and laundry available on site" with "bathrooms are clean along with the showers," according to Shone.
Family-friendly amenities: St. Cloud-Clearwater RV Park offers multiple recreation options. "It has a 9 hole mini golf, shuffleboard, salt water pool, and a lobby/gift shop. They also offer a nice seating area for those hot or raining days with free arcade," explains S L. This complements other area campgrounds with swimming beaches and playgrounds.
Historic sites and nature trails: Crow Wing State Park features historic elements alongside natural attractions. "Historic town site interesting," notes Big Craig. Another camper adds, "There is an old town site with informational plaques along the way that depict what life was like here in the 1890s. Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: At True North Basecamp, "Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy." Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area offers little seclusion, described as "basically a very nice manicured lawn" and "the outer ring has some foliage but the central ring is wide open with very few trees."
Water quality differs between locations: Some campgrounds have water challenges. At Cuyuna, "the water has a funky taste" according to one reviewer. Cross Lake has zebra mussels, though it remains "a clean lake" overall according to Josh M.
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: Lake Carlos State Park maintains limited winter availability. "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," notes Tori K. Most other campgrounds operate May through October only.
Tips for camping with families
Consider campgrounds with planned activities: Camp Holiday Resort and Campground offers multiple family-focused amenities. "Nice campground for a family experience. Camping with two toddlers can be a lot, it helps when there are two nice playgrounds here, a slide, water trampoline, nice beach, and nice, clean bathrooms," notes Lexie.
Bring water toys for lake access: At Crow Wing Lake Campground, "They have paddleboards and funyaks to rent, you can bring your boat to fish or fish off the dock. The grounds and bathrooms were clean. Every RV site had a cement pad to use for lawn chairs or a camp picnic table," reports Kristen B.
Pack for mosquitoes: Summer brings insects to many campgrounds. "If you visit in the summertime, expect hellish mosquitoes and pack accordingly!" warns Sarah D. about her Crow Wing State Park experience. Bug nets, repellent, and long sleeves for evenings are essential for family comfort.
Tips from RVers
Request assistance with parking: At Crow Wing Lake Campground, staff provides guidance for RV setup. "They escorted us to our site and directed us while we backed in," mentions Melissa H. Similarly, at Camp Holiday, "Most of the lake side sites were pretty uneven, bring plenty of leveling blocks," advises Angela J.
Consider site location for privacy: At Crosslake Campground, "We stayed in 106 with electric, this was a large site the backed up to the road but it was fairly woods so the road didn't bother us," reports Melissa A. However, another camper notes the general lack of privacy: "No foliage between the many, many sites. Lots of big RVs and boats crowded in a small space."
