Best Glamping near Midway, MN

Recent Glamping Reviews near Midway, MN

123 Reviews of 11 Midway Campgrounds

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 12, 2019

  Deer Park Lake Backcountry Campsite — Itasca State Park

  Ranger Review: Mountain House Hash at Itasca's Deer Park Lake

  CAMPGROUND REVIEW

  Itasca State Park is a primo destination in northern Minnesota for folks interested in exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are several campgrounds, group camps, cabins and lodge accomodations in the park that suit most visitors. But for folks who want a wilderness experience while at the headwaters, there are miles of wilderness trails in the backcountry area on the southern end of the park—and there are campsites and Adirondack shelters scattered throughout the myriad glacial lakes of this backcountry, enough so that you could backpack by foot or on snowshoes or cross country skis for a week through the territory, staying at a different lakes every night. April in Minnesota means we are still winter camping—but despite the snow, the sun is bright and warm, and it is great to get out into it. The park is at its peak of solitude in the winter, but if you can find a way to get to a campsite, they are open and reservable. This review is for Remote Campsite 11, located on an isthmus between Coffee Break Lake and Deer Park Lake. It is a several mile hike in from the nearest parking areas, either via Mary Kake and the Ozawindib Trail, or via the Deer Park Trail from Douglas Lodge. The trail is rolling and maintained for cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowhikers in the winter. This campsite is located just past the Ozawindib Adirondack Shelter, which is a good backup if its too windy or cold at the campsite. The campsite itself is down a hill by the lakeshore, between two lakes actually, on a rise that overlooks both. There is an additional campsite nearby on the south end of Deer Park Lake, campsite 10. There is a tent pad sheltered under the tall pines (and currently under the snow!) as well as a fire ring and an outhouse. There is no water provided, but a large bucket is available, so you can get lake water and filter it, or melt snow or bring your own. This is a great location for folks who like winter camping as the trek in is only a few miles, I was able to do it easily carrying a backpack of gear on my back, and a front pack with my dog when she got tired if trudging through the snow. And of course it is an easy hike in during the milder snow-free seasons. The site is scenic, pristine, and largely sheltered from the wind. The vista north over Coffee Break Lake would be awesome for viewing northern lights, this is a dark sky part of the park. It can get a little muddy in the transition season, including around the campfire area, so we hung out at the Adirondack shelter nearby and did our cooking there.

  To see a map and reserve a back country campsite at Itasca, check this link:

  https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/Facilities/AdvanceSearch.aspx

  For more info on Remote Camping in Minnesota State Parks, see this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html

  For general info on Itasca State Park, go to the homepage: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

  PRODUCT REVIEW

  As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I ocasionally get camping products to test out. Today I am testing Mountain House Southwest Breakfast Hash https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/spicy-southwest-breakfast-hash.html

  Mountain House makes lightwieght, freeze-dried trail meals that are "cooked" in their own pouches using only boiling water. The sealed pouches are durable and lightwieght to carry, and the no-fuss no-muss prep of adding boiling water and letting it stand for 4 minutes in the re-sealable pouch is really easy. Since I was carrying my gear on my back, and carrying my tired little dog in a front pack carrier, I certainly didnt want to have extra weight! But these meal pouches are so light you hardly know you are carrying them. This pouch of SW breakfast hash had more than enough for two people plus some leftover for the dog, we served it up on tortillas that we had also packed, but you could eat it straight up. The hash featured beans, corn, potatoes, veggies and shredded beef for a well rounded complete meal as is, but you could extend the servings by scrambling it with eggs to dish up for a larger group. The taste and texture were surprisingly good, tasty without being too spicy, and I would defintiely buy this again. See our video review at https://youtu.be/nB9lBmjUsqU

• 

  Olivia M.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 31, 2019

  Buffalo River State Park Campground

  Check out the Prairie

  • This was my first time seeing a prairie. It was a really neat experience.
  • This Minnesota state park is just outside of Fargo,ND, so it makes for a great get away in nature just outside of the hustle and bustle of the city.
  • I recommend camping in one of the sites beside the Prairie.
  • Extremely clean bath houses.
  • Beware of mosquitos!
• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 23, 2019

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Winter camping at Itasca? Why not!

  Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer. The park is very quiet and lightly used in winter, but wow, its the best time of year! The paths to famous spots like the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the visitor centers are plowed and maintained, and there are myriad groomed trails from cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A lot of people go ice fishing too. There is not a big demand for camping so mist if the campsites are closed, but Pine Ridge does maintain a selection of campsites with hookups for those who do want to venture forth. The campground bath houses are closed for the winter and water is shut off, but you can car camp and rv with hookups if you want, or tent camp if you know how to do so comfortably in winter and dint mind using outhouses in the campground. There is running water and regular bathrooms at the main visitor’s center so that is an option, but several miles drive from the winter campsites. So, bottom line, come prepared with all your own supplies, and make sure you know how to stay warm if car or tent camping. A winter visit to the park is well worth it!

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 5, 2023

  Buffalo River State Park Campground

  Everything you need

  Good state park campground with everything you need. You can make your reservations online once you get there, and it’s nice because there’s no online transaction fee. But watch out that you pay the $7 daily state park entry fee as well as the camping fee, because otherwise you'll get a friendly visit from a ranger! 

   There are two loops, one slightly larger one with 50 and 30 amp power (no water or sewer) for $34, and one smaller one with no power for $24. We stayed in a power site because we couldn’t handle the heat anymore, otherwise the smaller one looked a little nicer and quieter and we would have stayed there. 

  Showers were nice and clean and free. Bathrooms were nice. 

  Very nice walking trails all around the campground and throughout the park as a whole. Trash dumpsters here as well as an assortment of segregated recycle bins. Good cell reception with Verizon and ATT. Firewood available at office for $8 and ice for $3. 

  Group camp is off from the main campground a ways, but connected via a little walking trail. There is a dump station and potable water fill at the campground exit. 

  No drinking allowed at any Minnesota State Park campground!

• 

  SmallRVLifestyle V.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 7, 2020

  Fosston City Campground

  It's In A Small Town, Perfect For A Night

  I was driving this way and I needed a place to stay overnight. I found this campground on Google, and added to Dyrt. It's in a small town called Fosston.

  Nothing special about this, it's not a place to stay for multiple nights but it's great for an overnight.

  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. 

  It's quiet enough but you will hear road noise. 

  I don't use public showers or toilettes but there was one.

  AT&T and T-mobile reception both slow but manageable.

• 

  H. K.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 27, 2022

  Fosston City Campground

  Great to stop over for the night

  This is a campground within a city municipal yard.

  We just needed a place to crash for the night. We came in pretty late. There were 2 other campers.

  The site numbers are along the back of the fence and were difficult to see at night. There aren't really individual driveways, tent pads, picnic tables, etc.

  We just chose an empty spot and set up camp.

  It was nice and flat for our tent. There was electricity though we didn't use it. There was a dumpster and a shelter with many picnic tables near by.

  There's one flush toilet and shower and they were nice and clean.

  I was pleasantly surprised by this little campground. One downside was that there was a railroad nearby so the passing trains' horns we're really loud. But it wasn't all night.

• T

  Torey H.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 30, 2021

  Fosston City Campground

  Great City Campground

  Stayed here one night while on a work trip, trying to maximize summer fun. Remarkably quiet considering it’s right in town. There is a single bathroom with flush toilet and sink, and a single shower room. Both were clean. My site had nicely spaced trees for hanging a hammock and an electric hookup. Pull through and back in sites available for either tent ($5 per night) or RV ($16 per night) camping. Bring exact change as payment is done via an envelope in a dropbox mounted on the main gate.

• 

  Kristi P.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 2, 2021

  Fosston City Campground

  City park

  Nice quiet park, very reasonable price. Level drive through or back in sites.

• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 6, 2018

  Fosston City Campground

  Basic facilities in Fosston

  This campground provides a basic spot to pitch a tent or park an RV. It is not a destination for a great camping vacation , but provides a simple and inexpensive place to stay the night if on a road trip through the area, or if coming to town for a sporting event or to visit someone in town. A few campsites are provided in the town park next to the picnic shelter and alongside the town highway department buildings. Bathrooms are provided in those buildings. The setting is very basic, but clean and provides necessities. A few shops and cafes nearby, recreation options include an inexpensive golf course nearby, and within driving distance to several National wildlife refuges

• 

  Ed W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 1, 2020

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Nice place busy

  There are a lot of things to do/see here. Headwaters, fish on lake itaska miles and miles of hiking/biking trails. Now the camping its really nice on weekdays and its ok on weekends but weekends have more kids and noise as expected. The major downfall was the FLIES they were insane there were so many one day we had to go inside just to get away. So plan on some fly deterrent method. This trip tought us we need it.

• 

  Tracy T.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 18, 2020

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Great

  Great campground, clean restroom and shower house, clean spacious and shady sites

• G

  Geri H.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 2, 2020

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Wonderful Visit

  Itasca is a beautiful park. Gorgeous scenery to enjoy. We saw lots of deer within the park. We loved our stay at the Pine Ridge Campground. We were close to drinking water and the very well maintained modern showers/toilets. There are other campsites within the park that are more rustic if that is what you’re looking for. We will definitely be back!

• 

  Donald R.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 17, 2021

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  First time here

  This place is all around a nice place to camp and lots to see and do I’ll be back

• M

  Megan

  Scout

  

  Jul. 18, 2021

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Dust dust dust

  Why don’t they water or oil the roads. Dust is thick in the air. All over everything. Our black pickup is white.  Only one dump station for Bear Paw and PineRidge. We won’t be back. 

• 

  Stephanie B.

  Guide

  

  May. 2, 2018

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Awesome place

  Visited in July of 2017. Not too crowded or noisy. Rented a canoe for a little paddle.

• j

  jennifer R.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 30, 2021

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Beautiful scenic drive!

  Nice level site, clean bathroom/shower facilities, park is beautiful!

• p

  pam V.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 2, 2021

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Great getaway in a beautiful park with amazing bike trails and hiking .

  We were on the main part of the loop with more traffic and no barrier to the dusty road. Less wind made the next day better but I’d recommend being further in. Great ambiance and real friendly people, dog friendly too. We were here when fall colors peaked, beautiful!

• 

  Julie S.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 25, 2018

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Large park with lots to do for families

  Campground is not private. Shower houses close by. We had raccoon visitors both nights. Took advantage of the bike trail as a means of travel. Lots of opportunity for foraging.

• 

  Matt C.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 19, 2020

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  A small city

  The campground is massive with hundred of people, but it’s possible to get a more private site in the furthest loop- poplar. Ours wasn’t too private and we were surrounded by families with small kids. But the staff park has plenty to do and is well-worth a visit!

• 

  Alec S.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 30, 2020

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Fun in the great outdoors

  A campground away from it all. The sites clean and well maintained. Showers and restrooms were sufficient and clean. It was extremely quiet with heavy wooded areas. All of the sites felt secluded from each other and you really got the outdoor feeling.

• J

  Jim M.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 31, 2019

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Nice Campground

  For a State Park, this campground within Itasca State Park is nice and clean in the area that we were in. Farther to the back of this campground, it is heavily wooded with small lots and no electricity. Overall I would stay here again, but would remember that it is not really Big Rig friendly due to the tree branches hanging down and into the road. So it means slow travel and alot of dodging tree branches. This campground does not have a dump station which means that you have to go to the Bear Paw Campground to fill up and empty.

• 

  Olivia M.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 31, 2019

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Can’t skip the Headwaters

  • This is the headwaters of the Mississippi, which is a neat experience.
  • Itasca Rentals is here. This is a great option for pontoon, kayak, canoe, SUP, bike, and child/ pet carrier rentals.
  • TONS of hiking throughout the massive park.
  • The wilderness drive is very scenic.
  • Some k the best hiking included: preacher’s grove and the fire tower
  • This would be a great location to host an event such as a family reunion, because there is something for everyone.
  • Very nice playgrounds for the kids.
• 

  Josh M.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 6, 2019

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Itasca campground

  Decent car camping location.  Offers large hiking area and fishing opportunitys. Can check out the beginning of the Mississippi river which is pretty cool.  Campsites are right on top of each other.  Good for a night or two.

• 

  Gia R.

  Guide

  

  May. 7, 2019

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Lone Tents in a Sea of Campers [May 2019]

  We wanted to get a jumpstart on the 2019 camping season so we booked a backpacking site (Friday) and two sites here (Saturday) for the first weekend in May. In hindsight, it may have been a bit ambitious as temperatures dropped to the low 30s at night - but hey, it was retrospective fun!

  Our sites, E119 and E120, were pretty standard as far as drive-in sites go, and perhaps a bit expensive ($25). That said, after backpacking the previous night, it was nice to be able to charge our electronic devices. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring, and ample room to place a tent (or two!). If you're camping outside shoulder season, make sure you stock up on firewood as most of the local convenience stores don't seem to have it in stock. Overall, solid spot - but nothing overtly special.

• 

  Sara P.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 29, 2018

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Great park with awesome activities

  Visited Itasca State Park in July 2016. It was an awesome trip, despite our 3yo getting sick and having to go to Park Rapids for Urgent Care.

  We camped with three other families at Pine Ridge Campground and had sites next to one another. It was awesome to be just a path away from our friends. There were eight adults and nine kids age 1.5-6 and there was so much to do, despite the young age of the kids. We hiked to the Fire Tower, with several of the group making the climb to the top. The park was a lovely setting for afternoon drives to catch a nap. The beach was crowded, but a lot of fun. We attempted fishing for the first time and played at the playgrounds. One of our favorite activities was visiting the Headwaters of the Mississippi and walking across the "river" on the rocks.

  Sites were nice and large, as two of our four had the REI Kingdom 8 tent. Our site had a large screened canopy.

  We haven't been back yet, but it's definitely on the list of campsites we would revisit. Just trying to get to all the MN State Parks first!

• D

  Debra F.

  Guide

  

  May. 26, 2018

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Last of the MN old growth forest

  We were RV camping here, sites were nice sized, bathrooms and showers handy. There is a lot to do- ck out the Mississippi headwaters, the Douglas Lodge, with restaurant. The visitor center has a small historical/wildlife display and you can borrow binoculars to better see the wildlife that abounds. Nice biking trails, hiking. The lake is great for fishing and you can rent canoes/kayaks. There is also a boat tour of the lake with an excellent guide.

• 

  Jenelle H.

  Traveler

  

  May. 29, 2018

  Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

  Great bike trails

  Great fishing. You can rent boats, pontoons, kayaks, paddle boards and bikes for Itasca Sports. There’s a big paddle boat/ferry you can ride on. Great restaurant. Gift shop. Bike trails. Beautiful swimming beach. Nice playground. Walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi River.