Most RV sites near Nevis, Minnesota operate from May through early October, with the area gaining popularity due to its numerous lakes and access to the Paul Bunyan Trail. Summers typically see temperatures between 70-80°F, while spring and fall camping brings cooler conditions with occasional rainfall. The region features a mix of seasonal and nightly rental sites situated within the Chippewa National Forest area.
What to do
Biking access: Trails RV Park offers direct access to popular cycling routes. "The campground is accessible to the Heartland and Paul Bunyan Bike Trails. Walker is a cute little town - only 4 miles away by bike on the trails," notes Cindy B. The Paul Bunyan Trail stretches 120 miles through the region, connecting multiple lakes and towns.
Golfing options: Wildwedge Golf and RV Park combines camping with a well-maintained golf course. "The kids loved the mini golf and maze and we all loved the cute little golf course that was very well maintained," reports Jesse J. The course features nine holes and remains open throughout the camping season.
Water recreation: Kayaking and paddleboarding are available at several area lakes. "Free kayak and paddle board use, cute little lake with gorgeous sunsets, huge kiddy play area on water," reports a camper about lake access near Nisswa, just 30 minutes from Nevis. Most lakes permit motorized boats with public access points available throughout the region.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: RV There Yet Campground offers secluded camping spots. "Each site has tons of space and lots of trees between sites. No looking into your neighbors site. Plenty of space for hammocks," says Amy G. The campground features 18 primitive sites spaced among pine trees.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance is prioritized at many campgrounds. "Bathroom and showers are very nice and clean. This is mostly a seasonal site campground with 20 or so regular use sites," writes Stacy B. about her experience at a Walker area campground. Most facilities with showers charge a small fee for usage.
Spacious sites: Big Pines RV Park in Park Rapids provides good-sized camping spots. "Our lot was decent size, full hookups, the kids (and adults) enjoyed the river, the Heartland Trail is a few blocks away," notes Kelcey K. Many campgrounds in the region feature grass pads rather than gravel.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most RV parks operate with limited months. "We stayed at Riverview RV Park for 4 nights in July. It is a smaller campground. Most of the units are set up 'permanently' for the season," explains Lynette J. about Riverview RV Park And Campground in Pine River, which operates May 1 to October 1.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access. "The road was very bumpy. This time of year it is fairly frozen, but could be messy in wet weather. Class 5 or gravel would be an awesome addition. The current road is primitive and might be difficult with RVs," warns Amy G. Many secondary roads require slow travel during spring thaw.
Visitor policies: Check rules about day visitors. "If you want to have visitors while staying here it is best to consider these policy before visiting as they are strictly enforced. We won't stay here again because of those policies despite how great the amenities are," explains a camper about a resort near Nisswa, emphasizing the importance of reviewing policies.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some campgrounds include swimming options. "The pool is small but we had it to ourselves for the entire mid-day so had a blast! The playground and outdoor game area was perfect for our family of four kids," shares MNCamper about Balsam Beach Resort & RV Park.
Recreation variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple activity options. "We came for the weekend and had a fun time as a family. On top of the pool, they have a ton of cool water toys and floating play areas," notes MNCamper about their stay at a local resort. Many family-friendly campgrounds offer volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and playground equipment.
Local attractions: Schedule time to visit nearby towns. "Rode our bikes on the Paul Bunyan Trail to Nisswa and had some ice cream at The Chocolate Ox. Did a little shopping and got a beer at the brewery," recommends Jesse J. Most towns in the area host weekend events during summer months with family activities.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up options: Verify site utilities before booking. "Very nice RV resort with clean campground, clean bathrooms & showers. Full hookups, good resort wifi and good Verizon," reports Scott K. about their September stay at Birch Bay RV Resort. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region.
Site size considerations: Check campground specifications for larger RVs. "We stayed in RV spot #1, and the spot came with a picnic table and a fire ring which we did not use because the size of the space put our RV too close to the ring," warns TyAnn J. Most parks specify maximum RV length limitations on their websites.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. "There is recycling/garbage readily available to use as well as a dump station," notes Lynette J. Some parks charge additional fees for dump station usage even for registered campers.