254 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Chippewa National Forest region surrounding Longville, Minnesota provides a mix of developed campgrounds and more primitive sites scattered among lakes and wooded terrain. Mabel Lake Campground and Stony Point are popular established sites offering standard amenities for tent and RV camping, while Mabel Lake State Dispersed offers a more rustic experience. Several lakefront resorts like Diamond Crest Resort and Tuck-a-way Resort supplement traditional camping with cabin options and glamping facilities. The area's concentration of lakes creates numerous waterfront camping opportunities within a 30-mile radius of Longville.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with peak season running Memorial Day to Labor Day. One visitor noted, "Mosquitos were brutal here!" - a common seasonal consideration for summer camping in Minnesota's lake country. Sites near water bodies like Leech Lake and Mabel Lake can fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly those with electric hookups or boat access. Winter access is limited as most facilities close after Labor Day or by late October. Cell service varies widely throughout the area, with reasonable coverage near towns but spotty reception in more remote forest locations. Vault toilets are standard at most primitive sites, while developed campgrounds typically offer drinking water and trash service.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Longville area, with many sites providing direct paths to lakes. According to one camper at Mabel Lake, "Our site 13 gave us direct path to the lake," highlighting the appeal of lakeside camping. The region attracts a mix of recreational users, with many campgrounds serving as bases for fishing Leech Lake and other nearby waters. Several campgrounds accommodate ATVs and UTVs, with designated trails connecting to camping areas. Campsite privacy varies significantly between locations, with forest service campgrounds typically offering more spacious, wooded sites compared to privately operated resorts. Visitors frequently mention the area's peaceful atmosphere outside of holiday weekends, though some report occasional generator noise at certain campgrounds.
"You can walk along the main road or take a little connecting trail to it, but just a heads up that the mosquitoes are lying in wait in this trail."
"Great spot on Maple Lake! 22 sites only. Wide open sites with lots of space. No fires during our stay. That was nice. No smoke from other campers. Perfect place for star gazing."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"Good spot close to Walker MN. Site location does matter. Waterfront sites are amazing we stay on the back side away from the beach. Well maintained and quiet."
"There are two different locations within walking distance to beach your boat overnight within the campsite. Will definitely be going back!"
from $26 / night
Check Availability"Our family just returned from a 9 day stay at Leech Lake Receeation Area, and wish we could have stayed 9 more!!"
"We were able to go and take a walk to the lake which is super short walk from pretty much any of the sites but really close from our site."
from $14 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This is a free dispersed camping site in the state forest with lake access. Large enough for multiple campers or a small group."
"Love the lake, spacious campsites, and there is a trout lake right up the road!"
from $17 / night
Check Availability"We all had a great time riding 4 wheelers on the Spider Lake trails a few miles away. Great sites, great time!"
"Clean bathrooms, nice ppl....sites right on the lake & a little beach to sit at...seems small but a lot of big rigs fit just fine"
from $52 / night
Check Availability"This CG is very popular with fishermen with their boats as there is a public boat launch adjacent to the CG."
"Yes, there are skeeters, but this is summer in Minnesota. You learn to deal. Quiet and not packed at all. Site is large and flat and trees galore."
"Right on the lake so kids spent a lot of time in the lake and on the lake fishing. Shower house has bathroom and washer & dryer."
"It was a spur of the moment decision to stay at Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1 on the North Country Trail for my first solo hiking experience!"
TravelerEasy to access campground. We were in the Maple loop. It’s full, but we had enough quiet with the spacing and trees between the sites. Bathroom was clean and didn’t smell. Easy trail access. No real scenery in the campground other than the standard north woods.
TravelerCamping here has been so peaceful. Our lot we picked had a subtle view of the lake with easy access to the lake. Also near the well and the toilets. No electricity which was fine for us. Could hear the loons throughout the night. Deer and horseflies were gnarly, be prepared for that.
TravelerDrove 2 hrs up to this spot to find no trespass and then we got my 4x4 stuck had to walk 2 hrs to get help..do not go here!!
RangerThis was the 30th stop on my cross country trip and my favorite so far. Plenty of critters including 19 identified birds. Had it all to myself... plus the wildlife. Room for 2 or 3 tents, or 1 tiny travel trailer.
ScoutThe grounds were nice, bathroom clean and stocked. The sites are very open. There is zero trees or brush between you and you neighbors. Great if you are going with friends and want to camp nearby. The boat landing is clean and sandy but unfortunately is very shallow so you will need a flat bottom boat or kayak/canoe. Wasn't what I was looking for but still a nice area.
Rangerwas due for some deep woods after battling mosquitoes around bodies of water the last week. Geared towards ATV and dirt bike riding. Easy to get to and great for star gazing. Room for 3 or 4 rigs. Level spots are there if you look closely.
ScoutWonder place to camp right on the water with good fishing
GuideNote... For some reason instead of uploading the video I wanted, it uploaded a completely different video from a different camping trip at a different campground. I don't know how to remove it without taking down the entire review. Sorry!
First of all I rate the state park in general the highest rating you can think of! My favorite state park by far!
My friend and I stayed at one of the cart in campsites thinking it would be private and quiet... But it wasn't. Even in the cart in sites (at least the one we were at) you can see your neighbors right next to you. The site itself was fairly large. Bathrooms clean. There is access to the lake, which was great for watching sunsets.
Overall, this campground isn't terrible, just like the other one better!
GuideThis campground is better than the bear paw one because they have sites that are bigger and more private.
*pine loop and poplar loops are best if you want private camping sites.
*site 211 is the biggest! That's where we stayed.
*there are two bathroom buildings which have flush toilets and showers. It's less than a five minute walk from just about anywhere in the campgrounds. Also multiple vault toilets.
*I had some cell coverage (t mobile) and so did my friend (Verizon). Usually when did, she didn't, and vice versa. I'd say a good portion of the campground doesn't have service, you may have to walk around a bit to get a bar or two. No wifi in the campgrounds (except where you purchase wood) but there's wifi in the visitor center.
*we saw a bear sighting almost every night. He was not aggressive and pretty skittish, just making noise scared him off. But beware you'll need to keep a clean campsite.
*lots of stuff to do here. The Mississippi headwaters is a must! There's a fire tower, museums, hiking, swimming, kayak rentals, and more! Also the park hosts events too. We went to one on the history of the headwaters and one for archery! Also the wilderness drive is a must!
*there's places to eat in this park too! There's a restaurant (didn't get to try bc it was closed at the time) and a little cafe next to the headwaters. It was delicious, they had sandwiches, pastries, coffee, etc.
Camping near Longville, Minnesota places visitors in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest with access to over 600 miles of shoreline across multiple lakes. Sites range from 1,200 to 1,400 feet in elevation with sandy, well-drained soil typical of glacial outwash areas. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during daytime hours with significant cooling at night, even during peak season.
Fishing access points: Multiple sites around Leech Lake offer specialized facilities for anglers. Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground provides a dedicated boat launch and mooring area with electric charging stations for boat batteries. "The park is run by the Army Corps of Engineers volunteers and they were super friendly and kept everything clean and sanitary which was amazing... Amazing fish cleaning shack that was fully equipped with a grinder for the guts and cleaning area for all your knives and fish," notes one visitor.
Swimming options: Limited beach access exists at select locations. Stony Point features "a small, sandy beach is clean and provides a large swimming area." Another camper observed, "Beach was great albeit shallow. But nice soft sand."
ATV/UTV trails: The region contains several connected trail systems. At Clint Converse Campground, "We rode ATVs to this campground in 2024 and we plan on stopping again for a night in 2025," reported one visitor. This campground remains "UTV friendly" according to a 2022 seasonal host.
Spacious, private sites: Most campgrounds offer well-separated sites with natural screening. At Mabel Lake Campground, "Stayed at Campsite 17. Very spacious. Close to trail to vault toilet (without being too close)," notes one reviewer. Another mentioned, "Wide open sites with lots of space."
Amenities at private resorts: Several resorts supplement basic camping with additional facilities. Sunset Pines Campground receives praise for its "heated pool and tether ball" plus its proximity to Spider Lake trails. One camper noted, "Clean and detailed bathroom and showers. Laundry available. 30, 50 amp hookups."
Affordability: Several campgrounds offer significant discounts with passes. At the Leech Lake Recreation Area, a camper observed, "Great place for older people that have a national parks card. $13.00 a night is unbeatable."
Seasonal insect intensity: Biting insects can be problematic in summer months. At Mabel Lake, a visitor warned about conditions in early July, noting it was "Pretty buggy in early July. Being serious bug spray." Another review mentioned, "The mosquitoes are lying in wait in this trail."
Site types and reservations: Many campgrounds mix reservable and first-come sites. At Stony Point, "Some sites are first come first serve and about 10 or so by the water you can reserve." For Mabel Lake State Dispersed, a visitor noted, "Large enough for multiple campers or a small group. There are four rings and a picnic table as well as a sandy boat launch."
Noise levels vary: Some sites experience higher noise levels than others. Diamond Crest Resort gets praise as "Very peaceful and owners are respectful and kind." Conversely, at Clint Converse Campground, one visitor complained, "Now it's after 10:00 pm and some jerk is running the loudest generator I have ever heard!"
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. Leech Lake Recreation Area features "an amazing area to play games such as shuffleboard, teather ball and basketball. Park for the kids to play at which was very nice."
Nature exploration opportunities: Multiple sites offer kid-friendly exploration areas. At Stony Point, a visitor noted, "We camped here with our sons 9 & 11 and there wasn't a minute of the day they weren't exploring!"
Family-specific sites: Certain locations cater specifically to families with children. At Tuck-a-way Resort and Campground, "Family camping RV sites have playground right there. Paddle Boats available and swimming beach. Right on the lake so kids spent a lot of time in the lake and on the lake fishing."
Site leveling considerations: Most established sites require minimal leveling. At Leech Lake Recreation Area, a visitor mentioned being "greeted by an amazingly level site." Sunset Pines Campground is known for "sites are clean and level."
Electric and water connections: Hookup availability varies widely between campgrounds. Several campgrounds offer full-service sites, with Leech Lake Recreation Area providing "a handful(5) of reservable FHU sites(50/30/20 AMP)." At Mabel Lake, one camper suggested, "They need to add electric."
Accessibility issues: Some campgrounds present terrain challenges for larger rigs. At Tuck-a-way Resort, a camper warned, "There is also a pretty decent hill you have to go down to get to your site so if you're nervous or new to pulling a camper just be aware."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the main campground in Longville, MN located?
While Longville itself is a small community in north central Minnesota, the primary camping options are located in the surrounding area. Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground is situated about 30 minutes from Longville near Federal Dam, approximately 30 minutes southeast of Bemidji. Another notable option is Winnie Campground, which is located off the beaten path near Lake Winnibigoshish, offering peaceful lakeside and wooded campsites within driving distance of Longville. Both campgrounds provide convenient access to the natural attractions and recreational activities that make the Longville area a popular destination.
What amenities are available at Longville campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Longville offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Minnesota National RV Park provides full hookup sites with 50-amp service, water, and sewer connections, plus gravel pads suitable for RVs. The park is uniquely situated within a golf course. At Pokegama Dam Campground, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, you'll find sites nestled under tall pines with access to fishing in the rapids below the dam or in still river waters above it. Many campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, toilet facilities, and water access, with some offering boat launches, swimming areas, and hiking trails nearby.
When is the best season to camp in Longville, Minnesota?
The optimal camping season in the Longville area runs from late spring through early fall (May through September). Summer months (June-August) offer warm temperatures perfect for swimming, fishing, and water activities at places like Norway Beach - Chippewa Campground Loop, where wooded, shaded campsites provide relief from summer heat. For a less crowded experience with cooler temperatures, consider early fall at Itasca State Park, when the forests display brilliant autumn colors. Some campgrounds operate seasonally, typically closing by mid-October, while others remain open year-round with limited winter services. Spring camping can be beautiful but prepare for occasional rain and mosquitoes.
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