Top Horse Camping near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake, MN (8)


Recent Equestrian Reviews In Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake

60 Reviews of 8 Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    June 10, 2024

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Beautiful trails, easy to walk

    Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails, and good information signs with history of each site along the trail.

    Very Clean men’s bathroom. One shower needs a new shower head.

    Sites 40 to 45 are very nice and secluded. Sites 58 and 59 are prime secluded sites.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Father Hennepin State Park Campground
    June 2, 2024

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    This place is great

    Smaller campsite with less spaces but right on the waters edge which provides a breeze and keeps the bugs down. Wet spring so Kathoy was terrible but works here. Trails, town which has a grocery store, place to wash cloths and a place to trade out the books I've ready for a new set. Good connectivity so easy to work from with decent bathrooms.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
    June 2, 2024

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Nice enough spots but not my kind of park.

    I came in the spring it was a wet spring there were a lot of bugs. The trails are probably not maintained because it was so wet but they were almost impossible to hike on simply because of the amount of mosquitoes. The bathrooms are nice the camp spots were nice they had good signage for the archaeological stuff. It was just very hard to enjoy it because it was so overwhelmingly buggy.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    June 1, 2024

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Semi Secluded Site

    The campsite was pretty wooded on most sides. I visited in the late spring so there were quite a few mosquitos since the campground is near the river. Bathrooms/showers were cleanish, water was mid from the outdoor taps but not horrible

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    May 28, 2024

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    What you expect in the state park

    This is a more rustic State Park. There's lots of history here most of it is just a plaque not actually something to see. The river was really high and there was a fair amount of mosquitoes outside but a lot of trails and a lot of signs and a lot of history in the park.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Father Hennepin State Park Campground
    May 27, 2024

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Nice weekend spot

    Hiking was great, we saw an albino deer on the hiking club trail! Site was a bit tight for our travel trailer and a tight fit to back up on the pad. Recent rain had the campsites pretty muddy but the paved spaces were well maintained.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    May 23, 2024

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Wooded with abundant hiking and biking nearby

    Nice wooded campground. Gravel sites, fairly level. Water fill and firewood available at the registration building. The water was high in iron. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking. Bring bug spray in the summer!
    Historical sites along hiking path. Bathrooms and showers were decent. Dump station on site.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    June 9, 2023

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Great Campsites

    Nice park on the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers. The park encompasses the 1850’s town of Crow Wing. Great hiking trails. A lot of mosquitoes. Bring spray.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Father Hennepin State Park Campground
    October 2, 2022

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Unexpected

    Stayed at Lakeview Campsite#1 9/30 and was visited by a skunk... next thing I know, he brought his girlfriend and the two of them scoured my site while I was trying to enjoy my campfire-- no amount of flashing my light got them to leave and I wasn't about to try to scare them off. They left when they felt like it... That's what I get for staying in their back yard, fair is fair. Heard a big animal move through camp around 3am(definitely didn't sound like a deer since it shuffled leaves and gravel so not sure what it was-- not gonna lie, I was scared AF). It was a great mix of car camping with great access to nature. Bathrooms were a short walk away and well tended. My only disappointment was the amount of microtrash all over the site.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    September 11, 2022

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Meets camping expectations

    Tent site is an open area with tall trees. It also offered an open view of the night sky & enjoyed watching the full moon! Next to the shower house which makes it a convenient trip to the bathroom. Stayed one night but will stay longer when bringing the kayaks. Price for this spot made my trip super cheap!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
    August 4, 2022

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Do not recommend.

    Got here just after 4pm. No one to check us in. Only place to fill with water is at the dump station( and it is really slow, got harrased by the Park Ranger about speeding our bicycles to fast through the campground, and lastly went to get firewood( you cant bring your own in and I understand that) there was no wood. And same ranger harrased son in law for chopping the wood he got into smaller pieces. And I have only been here 1 day.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    September 13, 2021

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Family fun!!

    We introduced our youngest to camping at this campground. It’s a crazy story. In summary you couldn’t ask for a better first time family campground as far as my sons first camping experience lol well I’m surprised he doesn’t deeply hate camping. Everything that could of went wrong did including rain on a clear forecast and we didn’t equip the rain fly.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Father Hennepin State Park Campground
    September 2, 2021

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Large campground with wooded sites

    We stayed here one night in a nice wooded site not far from the beaches of Mille Lacs Lake. Nice trails too. Big picnic and beach area with a roofed picnic spot. We did not use any of the park restrooms as we have a self-contained RV. Lovely views of the really big lake!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    August 5, 2021

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    First Time

    It was a last minute booking over 4th of July. This was our first camping trip in our 30' camper, in a state park Campground. Not alot of room to maneuver 5th wheel around, spote are skinny, close together, not much shade. Showers are push button and lasted 5 seconds, NOT IMPRESSED!!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Father Hennepin State Park Campground
    July 22, 2021

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Lake Activities Galore

    This site is great for solo or family trips because there is a lot to do: swim, playground, boating, fishing, walking. The site and restroom/shower were well kept. During the night there were some raccoons rustling around and this caused multiple campers to come over, but nobody was concerned for safety, more curious about what they were doing.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Walter E Stark Horse Campground - Pillsbury State Forest
    July 19, 2021

    Walter E Stark Horse Campground - Pillsbury State Forest

    Plenty of Space

    We were staying in the area so we took a look at the campground. It is very sufficient for what you need if you are staying with your horses. It is a primitive campground with running water out of spigots and vault toilets. Some excess firewood in the middle and plenty of space for your horses. The hitching posts were mostly in the shade but not all were. It is separated in two different parts but for the most part you can find shade unless this gets completely full. 

    We walked some trails and went up to lost lake...disappointed to see someone took apart a camper and left it there in a pile. The black flies were bad on our walk, but it did have some nice views along the way. Loads of raspberries along the road so we stopped in the shade and had a couple snacks. Lots of trails to hike and ride in the area and plenty of signs to warn you not to spook the horses which I think is good. 

    We did stop in at the local ranch and asked about the programs they offered. We are thinking to come back in the winter when they have sleigh rides.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Father Hennepin State Park Campground
    July 19, 2021

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Great Area

    Smaller sites and a little privacy in the lake campground. The ones next to the waters edge have a nice view and are more completely in the shade. The inner sites have more sun. The beach is long and rocky but ample enough to swim in. It is a busy place because of its location close to the cities and other areas up there. The electric hook ups were well maintained. Bathrooms were nice and clean and vault toilets are scattered throughout the park. Trails are there to hike and walk. Water to swim and plenty of bike paths. 

    Maple grove is the more primitive site and lots more coverages between camp sites.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
    July 10, 2021

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Don’t camp by bathroom

    We had 44E major mistake. There was way too much traffic and apparently it was the kids hang out spot. It would’ve been ok if we had kids under 12 with us but we didn’t. NO hot water off and on. Drive to a gas station was 6 miles. Firewood was always available but a 3 mile drive from campsite. Trees around fire pit needed to be cut back. Impossible to put tent stakes in gravel ground. Beautiful flowers everywhere.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    July 9, 2021

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Nice state park campground but facilities are a little dated.

    Nice separation of sites.  Easy access off of Highway 371. Bathrooms not updated as they are at other State Park campgrounds.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    November 22, 2020

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Sunset Hike

    Tent camp here once and a while, but finally got around to officially doing the hiking club trail. Love doing a sunset hike, this trail is just over two miles, all along the river, with pretty much continual sunset views if you take the trail East to West. It's a loop, which is always preferred I think. Nice picnic area by the river. Historic signs describing the old town are along the beginning part of the trail near the picnic area. Kinda fun to read about and feel what old settlements were like! 

    Easy and pretty trail, took just half an hour, went with the kids. Just an awesome sunset walk and a bit of moonlight!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crow Wing State Park Campground
    October 29, 2020

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Historic town site great biking trail

    Great state campground, good hiking trails, Paul Bunyan Bike Trail passes through park(120 miles long).Crow Wing town site interesting. Sites pretty close together.



Guide to Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake

Camping near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails around Crow Wing State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Nice trails along the Mississippi River, easy to walk, good signage on trails," making it a great spot for both hiking and biking.
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: Rent a canoe or kayak at Crow Wing Lake Campground. A reviewer noted, "Canoe and kayak rentals available. Lots of trails for hiking and biking," highlighting the variety of water activities.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Gull Lake Recreation Area. One camper shared, "Good fishing lake," making it a perfect spot for anglers.

What campers like:

  • Secluded Sites: Campers appreciate the privacy at Crow Wing State Park Campground. A review stated, "Sites 40 to 45 are very nice and secluded," which is ideal for those wanting a quiet experience.
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One camper at Cuyuna Range Campground said, "The bathrooms were clean and showers were kept clean," which adds to the overall comfort of the stay.
  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Crow Wing Lake Campground offers a playground and pool, making it a hit with families. A review mentioned, "Fun for the whole family," emphasizing its kid-friendly atmosphere.

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A visitor at Stony Point warned, "There were mosquitoes and flies - but this is MN in the summer," so bring bug spray.
  • Rustic Experience: Campgrounds like Rock Lake offer a more rustic experience. One camper noted, "This campground is really a hidden gem," but also mentioned the lack of amenities like showers.
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper at Rock Lake advised, "You have to get here before 10 am on Friday to ensure that of happening," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Camp Holiday Resort and Campground, which has playgrounds and water activities. A review stated, "The sites aren't very private, but some are right on the lake with a beautiful view," making it a fun spot for kids.
  • Pack for Activities: Bring along water toys and games. A family at Pine Mountain Campground enjoyed, "Kids loved the heated pool and tether ball!" so consider similar activities for your kids.
  • Plan Meals: Having a meal plan can make family camping easier. One camper at Camp Holiday Resort and Campground mentioned, "The owners and staff were great," which can help if you need local dining options.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to verify if the campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Cuyuna Range Campground appreciated, "Each lot has full hook-ups, that was a huge bonus!!"
  • Arrive Early: Popular spots fill up quickly. A camper at Rock Lake advised, "Get there early to find campsites," to secure a good spot.
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: RVers can enjoy nearby towns for supplies and dining. One camper at Gull Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "It is a short 10 minute drive into Brainerd," making it convenient for additional activities.

Camping near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake is Crow Wing State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 25 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake?

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.