Camping near Midway, Minnesota offers access to northern Minnesota's diverse ecosystems, ranging from prairie landscapes to dense pine forests. The region sits along the transition zone between western grasslands and eastern woodlands with elevations ranging from 1,200-1,500 feet. Most camping areas experience peak visitation from June through August when temperatures average between 75-85°F during daytime hours.
What to do
Bike through extensive trail systems: Itasca State Park maintains a network of both paved and unpaved bike trails connecting major park features. "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," notes one visitor. The paved bike path on Wilderness Drive stretches approximately 10 miles.
Boat rental options: Visitors to Long Lake County Campground can enjoy water activities with limited rental equipment. "Only boats for rent are 2 paddle boats and a row boat," according to a camper, though the campground provides a boat dock and parking area for those bringing their own watercraft. The spring-fed lake supports trout fishing throughout the season.
Historical exploration: Minnesota's northwoods contain sites of historical significance accessible from multiple campgrounds. "You can check out the beginning of the Mississippi river which is pretty cool," mentions one visitor to Pine Ridge Campground. The Wilderness Drive at Itasca features multiple historical markers and interpretive displays about the region's logging history.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Buffalo River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance standards. "Spectacularly well-maintained campground along the Buffalo River in western Minnesota," writes one reviewer, who also noted the "very clean bathhouse (appears new) with flush toilets, hot showers and a dish-washing station." The campground features two distinct loops - one with electrical service and one without.
Lakefront views: Many campers appreciate sites positioned near water. At Bear Paw Campground, visitors report, "We had a lake front lot and really enjoyed the view and easy access to the lake and bike trails." Though sites directly on lakes are limited, several campgrounds offer filtered views or short paths to shore access.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse ecosystems support varied wildlife observation opportunities. One camper at Heiberg Park mentions the park "borders the Wild Rice River" and provides opportunities for wildlife watching along with fishing. Bird watchers particularly appreciate the prairie sections of Buffalo River State Park for species diversity different from the more common forest habitats.
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: While most established campgrounds require advance booking, smaller municipal sites often offer self-registration. At Fosston City Campground, "There is a self-check-in, electric hookups and there is a dumpsite and water at the end of the campground. The price in 2020 September is $5 for a tent and $16 for RVs." Several campgrounds have payment drop boxes requiring exact change.
Site privacy differences: Campground layouts provide varying levels of privacy between sites. At Pine Ridge Campground, one camper noted that "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." Walk-in sites typically offer more separation from neighboring campers.
Insect conditions: Northern Minnesota's lakes and forests support robust insect populations, particularly during summer months. One Bear Paw camper advises to "Bring your bug spray--the horseflys are huge!" Mosquito activity typically peaks during evening hours, especially after rainfall.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Bagley City Park provides extensive facilities for children. "Great family friendly park worth lots of amenities for kids. Multiple playgrounds and very clean beach," reports one visitor. The park maintains 42 RV sites and multiple tent sites within viewing distance of play areas.
Swimming accessibility: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming areas with varying amenities. Buffalo River State Park includes "a swimming pond close to the campground and some open area to play lawn games," according to a reviewer. Most swimming areas lack lifeguards, requiring parental supervision.
Delivery food options: Families camping at Bagley City Park appreciate convenient meal alternatives when outdoor cooking becomes challenging. "If you don't feel like cooking you can get pizza delivered," mentions one camper. Several campgrounds sit within delivery range of local restaurants, though service availability should be confirmed upon arrival.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campground layouts create difficulties for larger RVs. At Shooting Star RV Park and Casino, "We stayed at site 19, shown in the photo. Although the sites are close together, there were quite a few empty sites so we felt like it was semi-private." The campground operates seasonally from May 15 to October 15 with full hookup sites priced around $25 per night.
Dump station positioning: RVers appreciate thoughtfully designed waste disposal facilities. At Bagley City Park, "We used the dump station which is nicely situated on a slope just outside the entrance so it's easy to completely pump out a tank that might sit lower on your unit." Most campgrounds require use of designated dump stations rather than allowing at-site disposal.
Electrical service variations: Electric hookups vary significantly between campgrounds, with amperage differences affecting which appliances can operate simultaneously. Buffalo River State Park provides higher capacity service, with one loop offering 50-amp connections suitable for larger RVs running multiple systems.
