Camping opportunities around North Branch, Minnesota range from full-service RV parks to seasonal riverside camping experiences. The region sits within the transition zone between prairie and forest biomes, resulting in diverse natural settings for outdoor recreation. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler evenings that create comfortable sleeping conditions.
What to do
River recreation options: Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River offers tubing, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities directly from the campground. "Great tubing and canoeing," notes one camper, while another mentions "The tubing is a plus... Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom." The campground provides shuttle service for river activities.
Hiking trails: Banning RV Park and Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby Banning State Park with its network of trails. "Banning State Park is really close and is very nice. We also drove up to Duluth on two of the days," shares a visitor. The park features historical ruins and natural scenery along the Kettle River.
Family activities: Local RV parks provide on-site recreation beyond swimming. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River, families enjoy multiple amenities. "I stayed here 3 weeks ago with my wife and 2 young children and it was fantastic great playground and heated pool... A ton for the kids to do!" writes one reviewer. Another notes the "heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room."
What campers like
Site spacing: Many campers appreciate the roomier sites at several RV parks North Branch, Minnesota. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park, a reviewer noted, "HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe,tube, or kayak." Another mentioned, "Large sites. Great tubing and canoeing."
Dog amenities: Banning RV Park and Campground features exceptional pet facilities that campers appreciate. "The fenced in dog park was a big bonus for our pup," writes one visitor. Another adds detail: "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—and, of special interest, included a complete 'dog playground' with all the standards elements of a dog agility course!"
Quiet tent sites: Wildwood RV Park & Campground offers primitive sites separated from the main RV area. "We tent camped for two nights in site CC, which had a small quiet creek beside it. These primitive sites are down a small dirt road away from the main RV camping area and are nicely wooded," explains one camper.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most rv parks near North Branch, Minnesota have limited seasonal availability. Country Camping RV Park operates from May 1 to October 1, while Banning RV Park is open May 1 to October 31. For year-round camping, Grand Casino RV Resort in Hinckley remains open through winter.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience varying noise levels. At Country Camping, a reviewer mentioned, "I give it a 4 star only because twice I ran into the same group of people that thought it was ok to open up their vehicle doors and blast music well into the night. Owner warned them the first time but quiet time isn't until 11 pm."
Water hookup arrangements: Several campgrounds have shared water hookups requiring special equipment. At Banning RV Park, one camper noted their "water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose for several years but never had to use it before."
Tips for camping with families
River activities with kids: Wildwood RV Park & Campground offers family-friendly water recreation options. "The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6," shares one family. Another mentions accessing bike trails directly from the campground.
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds provide multiple recreation choices for children. Country Camping features a "heated pool with splash pad, little camp store, Golf cart rentals! Our grandkids love it too!" explains a regular visitor.
Off-site attractions: The North Branch area offers family-friendly destinations beyond camping. "Be sure to check out Franconia sculpture garden if you're staying here and have the time! It's such a fun and quirky place," recommends a Wildwood camper. Another notes, "The paddlewheel boat ride on the St Croix River was amazing. We even saw bald eagles on the ride."
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: RV parks in the region have varying hookup configurations. At RiversEdge RV Park, campers appreciate the "concrete patios on every lot" and "full hook-ups, with 30 or 50 amp service." The campground features "crushed granite streets and drives" that provide stable surfaces.
Site selection: Some campgrounds offer specific site advantages for RVers. At Boulder Woods RV Park, "the park is well maintained with power and water at all sites. There is a view of Ann Lake, however, the RV park is not on the banks of the lake and does not have access to the lake," explains a reviewer.
Setup challenges: Several campgrounds present unique backing situations. At Grand Casino RV Resort, an RVer cautions, "Virtually every site in the park is a blind back in from the driver seat. You're trying to back your trailer into a site on the right side without being able to see anything over there." Planning arrival during daylight hours is recommended for easier setup.
