The northern Minnesota region near Midway offers pet friendly camping options amid boreal forests and glacial lakes. The area features over 400 acres of public wilderness with multiple access points for campers. Weather conditions can shift rapidly, with summer nights often dropping below 50°F even after warm days.
What to do
Biking on dedicated trails: Itasca State Park offers extensive bike paths suitable for all skill levels. "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 Nicole P. The park features a rental shop on Lake Itasca with various bike options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning hours provide optimal wildlife spotting conditions at many campgrounds. "Took many pictures of loons on Mary's lake," shares Tom at Itasca State Park, who also documented "Beautiful wild flowers blooming along the trails."
Lake activities beyond swimming: Long Lake County Campground provides various water recreation options. "Lake is beautiful and good fishing. Has a boat dock and parking," notes Elizabeth D., who has returned multiple times. The spring-fed lake maintains cooler temperatures year-round.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Buffalo River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "If you want the best kept state park I have seen this is the place. Not a scrap of trash, the restrooms clean and well stocked. You don't have a pothole in site," writes StaceeQ Q.
Self-service convenience: Campgrounds in the area often feature straightforward check-in processes. At Fosston City Campground, Torey H. noted: "Payment is done via an envelope in a dropbox mounted on the main gate" with different rates for tents and RVs.
Waterfront access options: Many campers appreciate direct lake access. "The lakes are quiet and peaceful with easy access for kayaks/canoes from Bearpaw campground," shares Melissa H. about Itasca State Park. Sites with lake views typically fill faster than others.
What you should know
Campsite privacy variations: Sites at Bagley City Park have different privacy levels. "The RV sites are pretty close together but, we were there in the middle of the summer and there were a couple of open tent sites on one side of us," notes Glenda D. Tent-only sites are located across from and adjacent to RV sites.
Weather preparedness essential: Temperature swings can be significant. Storms develop quickly, especially in summer afternoons. Layers and rain gear should be packed even during warm forecasts.
Site-specific challenges: Some campgrounds have specific access issues. At Bagley City Park, "getting in to the campsites near the circle drive area (closest to the lake parking lot) are a little difficult to get into," warns Glenda D., noting "backing into our spot without disturbing other campers was not an easy task."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Tilberg Polk County Park offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a small swimming beach and nice fishing pier. The lake itself is nice sized and holds pike, panfish and walleyes. There is a large picnic shelter and a small playground for kids," recommends MNCamper.
Entertainment beyond camping: Local towns provide additional activities. MNCamper notes that "Fosston is a small but thriving community with nice shops, good eats and a neat movie theater" just a short drive from Tilberg County Park.
Activity planning for younger children: Most campgrounds require adult supervision at beaches and playgrounds. Local facilities cater to various age groups, with Bagley City Park receiving praise as being "Family friendly" with amenities where "you can see the beach and the playground from the camper," according to Jenelle H.
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: Shooting Star RV Park and Casino provides varied site spacing. "Although the sites are close together, there were quite a few empty sites so we felt like it was semi-private," reports Glenda D., adding that each site includes a picnic table.
Hookup availability: Full-service options exist but vary by location. Shooting Star Casino offers "full hookups" for approximately $25 per night, representing good value compared to other regional options.
Dump station access: Many campgrounds feature conveniently positioned dump stations. At Bagley City Park, Glenda D. notes "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."
