Moose Lake, Minnesota sits at an elevation of 1,089 feet with summer temperatures averaging 78°F and winter lows reaching -2°F. The surrounding area features a mix of wetlands and forested terrain with sandy, loamy soil that drains well at most rv campgrounds near Moose Lake. The region's glacial history created numerous small lakes and ponds that dot the landscape around camping facilities.
What to do
Kayaking at nearby lakes: Oak Lake Campground provides easy water access with boat rentals available. "Great fishing lake! This campground provides boat rental and a swimming beach," notes a camper at Oak Lake Campground & RV Sales.
Hiking at Banning State Park: Located just half a mile from Banning RV Park, this state park offers numerous trails featuring kettle river rapids. "If you are planning to explore the Kettle River and Banning State Park nearby, this is a good alternative to camping within the State Park itself," explains a visitor to Banning RV.
Whitewater paddling: The Kettle River offers class III-IV rapids from May through June. "With easy access to both the Twin Cities metro area and Duluth, with desirable whitewater paddling and rockclimbing both available in the area," notes a camper at Banning RV Park and Campground.
What campers like
Dog-friendly amenities: Several parks feature designated pet areas. "It was not just some small dog area it was top of the line dog park, we are going back again for our 2nd visit," shares a camper at Banning RV Park about their specialized dog agility course.
Casino entertainment: Some campers appreciate having gaming options nearby. "Shuttle took you to the casino 24 hours a day," mentions a visitor at Grand Casino RV Resort.
Fewer bugs at elevated sites: Campsites situated on higher ground report fewer insect problems. "Because it is at a higher elevation further from the river it is remarkably less buggy which Banning State Park can be in springtime or after recent rains," explains a camper about Banning RV Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple small lakes in the area support various fish species. "We caught a few little fish in the lake. Paddle boats and kayaks for use," mentions a reviewer at Red Pine Campground.
What you should know
Water hookup configurations: Some campgrounds have unusual water setup. "Water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots," reports a camper at Banning RV Park who needed 75+ feet of hose.
Varying site conditions: Site quality differs significantly within the same campground. "It is a mixed bag of tricks here as the sites can be level and some others are not at all," notes a visitor at Banning RV Park.
Seasonal operations: Most parks close between October and May. "All and all it is a great place. Nice people and super helpful. Great alternative if the state park is full," shares a Banning RV Park camper.
Golf-focused accommodations: Some RV parks cater specifically to golfers. "This is a relatively new campground built right next to the Minnesota National Golf Course clubhouse, and in the corner surrounded by Savannah holes 8 and 9. It's literally inside the golf course," explains a visitor at Minnesota National RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play structures. "Remarkably, in addition to playgrounds for children in different places around the campground, there was a huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean," notes a Banning RV visitor.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. "The pool had a perfect temperature and nice lounging area," mentions a camper at Grand Casino RV Resort.
Off-season visits for fewer crowds: Mid-week stays outside summer months offer more privacy. "With 50+ sites, park was full for the three days around July 4, but was under 50% the rest of the time," reports a camper at Minnesota National RV Park.
City exploration options: Staying at urban RV parking offers family activities. "Lots to do in this cute town, lots of walking around and hanging out with tourists," shares a visitor at DECC/Amsoil Arena RV Parking in Duluth.
Tips from RVers
Long-stay considerations: Seasonal spots dominate some campgrounds. "Very few sites to reserve — many many many seasonal spots. The seasonal people were very nice to us 'new comers,'" notes a visitor at Oak Lake Campground.
Backing challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult site configurations. "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer," warns a camper at Grand Casino RV Resort.
Urban camping options: RVers can find convenient city parking. "I love when cities offer a place like this to park overnight, even if it's at an outrageous price. RVs can park at the event center parking lot for $50/night (or $65 if you want electricity)," explains a visitor to DECC/Amsoil Arena RV Parking.
Utility locations vary: Position of hookups can require extra equipment. "The utilities are in the far back of the site. I needed about 20' of sewer, electric, and water hose to reach my rig," shares a visitor at Minnesota National RV Park.