Nisswa sits within the forested Brainerd Lakes region in central Minnesota, where summer temperatures fluctuate between 55-85°F. The area features a mix of public and private campgrounds along the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and Mississippi River headwaters. Many camping destinations connect directly to the Paul Bunyan Trail, offering paved cycling access between local lakes and towns.
What to do
Mountain biking at Cuyuna Country: Trails accessible from True North Basecamp offer world-class mountain biking just 30 minutes from Nisswa. "Loved the proximity of True North to both Crosby restaurants and bars and the incredible trails of Cuyuna Country. Lovely cabins for glamping with incredible views of Armour Mine 2," notes Sydney J.
Paddleboarding on mine lakes: Crystal clear water in former mining pits creates ideal conditions for paddleboarding. "I was looking to take a solo camping trip for the weekend and paddleboard on the Cuyuna Mine Lakes. I booked the trip pretty late because of a lot of different factors, but Crow Wing State park still had plenty of availability," shares Sarah D. from Crow Wing State Park Campground.
Cycling the Paul Bunyan Trail: This 120-mile paved trail runs through multiple campgrounds in the area. "Great state campground, good hiking trails, Paul Bunyan Bike Trail passes through park (120 miles long). Crow Wing town site interesting," explains Big Craig about Crow Wing State Park.
Fishing from docks: Several campgrounds offer fishing access without needing a boat. At Cross Lake Recreation Area, "You can fish from a fishing dock by the dam," according to Rachel H.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Gull Lake Recreation Area receives consistent praise for roomy campsites. "This was a nice campground with large spots and mostly private. We stayed in site 29 with electric and it was large," reports Melissa A. Another camper adds, "The sites are huge and generally well separated. Plenty of room for even the biggest rigs."
Historic sites within parks: "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," writes HollyRose M. about sunset hikes at Crow Wing State Park's historic town site.
Swimming beaches with playgrounds: Family-friendly options abound at Cross Lake Recreation Area, where Joe S. notes, "There is a very nice beach area and well maintained trails through the campground. Can't say enough good things about this place."
Lake access for small watercraft: Mel G. likes Rock Lake Campground because "There are about 10 sites that are next to the water giving you access to fishing, swimming and docking a small watercraft. Most of the sites are surrounded by trees. Which is great for privacy."
What you should know
Booking timing varies: For popular spots, plan ahead. "Book early on Recreation.gov - we reserved 6 months out for memorial weekend…" advises Deb M. about Gull Lake Recreation Area.
Some lakes develop vegetation: Later season visitors should note, "Emergent vegetation appears late in year on lake. Which is a pain trying to navigate," warns Don L. about Rock Lake Campground.
Not all campgrounds have water hookups: At Gull Lake, "There are no water hookups at the sites so be sure to fill up when you arrive," says Curt D.
Rustic options have limited amenities: "This a rustic campground with no showers and vault toilets. Some sites are open and next to each other," explains Jennifer T. about pet friendly camping at Rock Lake. "Great for tents!" she adds.
Beach areas can get busy: "There is a small beach and at 15 people it's full," notes Scott M. about Rock Lake Campground's swimming area.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with play areas: Crow Wing Lake Campground features extensive recreation options. "This campground is perfect for families with the heated pool, swimming beach, super playground and activities like horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, ladder golf, disc golf, and more," recommends Kristen B.
Consider walkable towns: Cross Lake Recreation Area offers town access. "You can easily walk into Crosslake to shop or get ice cream, or just stay in the campground and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere," suggests Kristen B.
Look for paved paths: For kids with bikes or scooters, Cross Lake Recreation Area has "Paved roads good for scooters & bikes. This is a great place for beginning campers, especially with children," says Rachel H.
Check beach depth for young swimmers: Some swimming areas drop off quickly. At Cuyuna Range Campground, one visitor noted, "It has a great swimming area, though it did get deep fast for little kids."
Tips for RVers
Full hookups available: Modern campgrounds like Cuyuna Range Campground offer complete services. "The sites were amazingly large with nice privacy between the lots. Easy to get into with plenty of room to spare. Each lot has full hook-ups, that was a huge bonus!" reports Katie B.
Level pads at many sites: Gull Lake Recreation Area features well-prepared sites. "The sites are flat gravel (class5) no leveling blocks needed," notes Scott G., adding "To start with this place is very clean and well maintained."
Quiet hours enforced: Most campgrounds maintain quiet periods. At Cross Lake Recreation Area, despite being near town, one camper notes it "Gets quiet after 10 PM" even though there's "highway traffic noise even at furthest site."
Dump station fees may apply: Check for additional costs. "If I were to knock anything it would be the 5$ dumping charge," mentions Scott G. about Gull Lake Recreation Area.
