Best Campgrounds near Longville, MN

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Longville, Minnesota (243)

    1. Mabel Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Longville, MN
    8 miles
    Website

    $14 / night

    "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."

    2. Stony Point

    11 Reviews
    Walker, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 547-1044

    $26 / night

    "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!"

    3. Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground

    14 Reviews
    Longville, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 654-3145

    $14 - $50 / night

    "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."

    4. Diamond Crest Resort

    1 Review
    Longville, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 821-1364

    5. Mabel Lake State Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Longville, MN
    8 miles

    "This is a free dispersed camping site in the state forest with lake access. Large enough for multiple campers or a small group."

    6. Clint Converse Campground

    5 Reviews
    Crooked Creek Lake, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 546-5926

    $17 / night

    "Love the lake, spacious campsites, and there is a trout lake right up the road!"

    7. Sunset Pines Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hackensack, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 947-4099

    $52 / night

    "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"

    8. COE Leech Lake Reservoir Leech Lake Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Chippewa National Forest, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 654-3145

    "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."

    9. Tuck-a-way Resort and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hackensack, MN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 587-4725

    "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."

    10. Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1

    1 Review
    Hackensack, MN
    14 miles
    Website

    "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!"

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Recent Reviews near Longville, MN

531 Reviews of 243 Longville Campgrounds


  • TexasRed (.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    D29 dispersed site

    Private Beach spot

    Nice sandy(mucky) beach spot right off the gravel road to the campground. Fairly quiet in October. Has a nice fire ring on the beach, tent pad and parking spot. Easy access and has some cool scenic spots to explore near the site. Limited service, no amenities, just peace and nature.

  • C
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Cuyuna Range Campground

    We won't stay anywhere else!

    We love camping at Cuyuna Range Campground. We stay at Cuyuna a couple of times each year. It is clean, quiet and so relaxing. There is so much to see and do in the area or just relax at our campsite. Check this campground out you will not be disappointed!

  • Kyle K.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

    First time in Itasca Park

    We like the Pine Ridge Campgrounds because of how dense the trees are between campsites compared to Bear Paw Campgrounds. There is also less traffic going on. The only downside is a further walk to showers/bathrooms.

  • Lindsey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Beautiful park with so many things to do!

    Set on the Upper Missisippi this was well worth the 8 Mile detour off the main east/west route through MN. History, hiking, biking, fishing and boating here. We grabbed a site just above the river. So peaceful and quiet. The few campers here on a late September day were mostly at the electric site area. 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. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake

    Crosslake MN COE campground

    This is a spacious campground with 123 sites, most with electricity, all wooded. The Lake is actually part of a string of lakes friendly to high speed motor boats as well as canoeing/kayaking. Like all other COE campgrounds, it honors campground passes, cutting the fees by half. A COE ranger patrols regularly. It of definitely dog friendly without breed or size restrictions. It is just north of Brainard, MN so civilization is nearby but the turn of Crosslake has All the amenities of city life. As with many other campgrounds, it's not busy Sunday-Thursday but gets much busier on weekend days. I would highly recommend this campground.

  • Ryan T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Tamarack Point Campground

    Forgotten campground

    Perhaps this was a Chippewa national Forest campground in the past, but it has not been upkeep at all. It would be good for dispersed camping but none of the sites are cleared, and the roads are overgrown.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    High Banks Resort

    High Banks Resort

    The owners and staff are very friendly. This place is dog friendly, great for kids. They have small splash pad, kayaks, paddle boards and baffles boats to use. Boat rental available.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park

    Gem of a state park!

    Itasca State Park Minnesota

     This park is a gem in Minnesota State Parks! Just beautiful. Although we only had 1 day we managed to pack a lot into it. My advise is to start your day as early as possible. We went to the Mississippi Headwaters at around 8:15 am & had the place to ourselves. The gift shop isn't open yet, but when we went later for ice cream the place was hopping! The Wilderness Drive is a must see as well. There's some short hikes & a lot of wild beauty. They have a fire tower you can climb.

    Biking is very popular & there's a dedicated bike path on the Wilderness Drive which is about 10 miles.

    There's a lodge & restaurant. 

    Two visitor centers.

     There are 2 campgrounds- Pine Ridge& Bear Paw. Electric sites only. I think it was$35 a night. There is a dump.

      We were in Bear Paw site 37E. Frankly, I liked Bear Paw campground better, even though it's smaller. By the lake, but no sites are ON the lake.

    Lakeview sites are 63, 67, 68, 69,& 70. There's good access to the bike trail. There's a path down to the lake, so if you have a kayak you can drag it down.

     We were across from the bath house. It's very nice & clean! Showers are push button. Not too hot.

    Pine Ridge we did a short drive thru. The campground registration office is there. We were told we didn't have to register if we we had an on line registration. No tags.

     Pine Ridge had several loops, but we just went down the Spruce Loop. The sites looked flat & shaded. I didn't note any particular site. 

    We really enjoyed our stay & wished we could have added a couple more nights!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Wanaki Campground

    Gorgeous

    It’s what camping should be. Wooded between sites. Peaceful. Ahhhhh!


Guide to Longville

Camping near Longville, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing: The area is known for great fishing spots. Many campers enjoy casting their lines at Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There are also 2 boat landings and plenty of space to moor your own boat if you wish."
  • Hiking: Trails abound in the nearby Chippewa National Forest. Campers at Stony Point appreciate the access to trails, with one saying, "Kids were always exploring."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip at True North Basecamp. A visitor noted, "It has a great swimming area, though it did get deep fast for little kids."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One happy camper at Pokegama Dam Campground said, "Super clean bathrooms. Level sites and great views of the Mississippi."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, well-spaced sites. A reviewer at Red Rider Resort mentioned, "Sites are gorgeous and secluded."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the welcoming vibe. One visitor at Cuyuna Range Campground said, "The owners are friendly. If there is a problem they are available to reach and get a solution figured out right away."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A camper at Stony Point warned, "With the wind off the lake bugs were well managed - but this is MN in the summer - so there were mosquitoes and flies."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A reviewer at Gulch Lake mentioned, "There is no actual bathroom facilities."
  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways, which can lead to noise. A visitor at Pokegama Dam Campground noted, "Road noise from Hwy 2 is a downside."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Play Areas: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. One camper at Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground mentioned, "For the kids there’s a great play area."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A reviewer at True North Basecamp noted, "It did get deep fast for little kids."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Be ready for mosquitoes. A camper at Stony Point advised, "This would’ve been a great campground right on the lake but the mosquitoes were horrible."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cuyuna Range Campground said, "Each pad is super wide. We parked two vehicles and our Airstream and still had plenty of space."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups. One camper at Red Rider Resort appreciated, "There is a very nice kitchen with running water and showers."
  • Plan for Firewood: Some campgrounds sell firewood, which is handy. A visitor at Pokegama Dam Campground mentioned, "Free hot showers. Clean."

Camping around Longville, Minnesota, has something for everyone. From fishing and hiking to family-friendly activities, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this beautiful area.

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.